Research Challenges

The Department’s research covers a wide range of topics, which are divided into three Challenge Areas which are described below. 

1. Advanced Materials, Electronics & Communications: Understanding and exploiting the electronic, physical, chemical and biological properties of materials at the nanoscale and up.
2. Future Energy Systems: Formulating innovative solutions to current and future energy related challenges and opportunities from both a UK and global perspective.
3. Sustainable Infrastructure: Tackling the challenge of ensuring sustainability and resilience of the infrastructure that underpins our society and economy.

Our Research Challenges are important because they encourage interdisciplinary research within the Department and national and international cooperation. The scope of the Department's research is expanded even further through participation in cross-faculty Research Institutes.

Our Research Nodes

Durham University is recognised as one of the leading centres of research in Engineering in the world. Our 8 Research Nodes divide our work into technical areas and expertise and run alongside the overarching Research Challenges. The Nodes are how we operate on a day-to-day basis.

Click on the boxes below to find out more about each of our 8 Research Nodes and their areas of interest.