Materials

Enabling the sustainable, equitable and innovative manufacture, use and remanufacture of materials to secure our shared future.

The Materials theme is catalysing a transformation in how we understand, design and deploy the materials that underpin modern life and support sustainability. We are working to build a sustainable materials economy that not only powers innovation but also respects planetary boundaries and secures a shared future. This requires thinking holistically – tracing the journey of materials from discovery and resource extraction through production and use, to repair, recovery and remanufacture – and embedding circularity, resilience and longevity at every stage. 

Bringing together world-leading research across advanced materials, materials 4.0, additive manufacturing, biotechnology, clean energy and digital innovation, we will generate solutions that respond to the urgent crises of climate change and environmental degradation. This vision of materials innovation goes beyond technical discovery to confront the social, ethical and economic challenges of resource use and production. It spans the full spectrum of sustainable materials and materials for sustainability – from the extraction and manufacture of critical resources to the discovery of new materials that will enable a sustainable energy transition. By ensuring that principles of just transition and circularity underpin this work, and by engaging with communities, industries and policymakers, we will help shape material practices and systems that are fairer, more resilient and aligned with the needs of a sustainable future. The Materials theme will help to raise the profile of Manchester’s extensive expertise in sustainable materials and play a significant role in adding value to the broad landscape of materials research at the University of Manchester. 

 

Tom McDonald

Theme Lead

Dr Tom McDonald

 

Tom McDonald graduated with both a BSc and MSc from the School of Materials at the University of Manchester in 2005. He subsequently completed his PhD in 2008. Following that, he worked as a research scientist at Unilever, where he focused on the delivery of home and personal-care actives. Later, he joined the University of Liverpool as a postdoctoral research associate in Prof. Steve Rannard's group, where he specialised in developing drug nanoparticles for HIV/AIDS treatment. In 2012, Tom became a part of Prof. Andy Cooper's group, where his research centred on high-throughput synthesis and characterisation of microporous polymers.

Tom's independent academic career started when he was appointed as a Lecturer in November 2013 the University of Liverpool. He was then promoted to Senior Lecturer in December 2018, and attained the position of Reader in 2021. In 2023, he transitioned to the University of Manchester as a Reader in Sustainable Materials, jointly affiliated with the Department of Materials and the Department of Chemistry.

His research is diverse and spans various facets of polymer and colloid science. His active research interests include designing and synthesising nanomaterials for drug delivery, pioneering methods for detecting and assessing environmental nanoplastics, and advancing the sustainability of commodity plastics.

Tom is Head of Environmental Sustainability and Engagement for the School of Natural Sciences and is also Research Area lead for Chemical Materials Design within the Henry Royce Institute.

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