Research

From statistics to complex and nonlinear phenomena, astrophysics to smart materials, lasers to CubeSats, and communications to renewable energy, the pioneering research in the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering focuses on a wide range of issues.

The Department has core groups in Astrophysics (Solar and Space Physics), Mathematics (Mathematics of Complex and Nonlinear Phenomena), Statistics (Applied Statistics), Renewable Energy (Renewable Energy Technologies and Materials), Electrical Engineering (Electrical Power and Control Systems), Communications (Optical Communications Research Group) and Materials Physics (Smart Materials & Surfaces Laboratory).

Prospective PhD students: Opportunities to carry out postgraduate research towards an MPhil/PhD or MSc by research exist in all the areas identified above. Further information may be obtained from The Graduate School.

Visiting scholars: We welcome visiting academics - please contact Professor James McLaughlin (for Mathematics or Astrophysics queries) or Professor Guillaume Zoppi  (for Physics or Electrical Engineering)   

To access research outputs in this area and others, please visit Northumbria Research Link.

Click each research area below to find out more about our work:

Applied Statistics

With an increasing demand for the provision and explanation of meaningful statistics to navigate through the data-driven modern world, our research focuses on the development and application of statistical models to real-life problems in the fields of health, medicine and social science.

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Quantum and Molecular Photonics

Light-matter interaction is central to fundamental phenomena and technologies, and is a rapidly increasing field of significant scientific importance. In the Quantum and Molecular Photonics (QMP) research lab, we develop sophisticated experimental tools and methods aided by advanced computational models to address challenging problems at the interface of quantum optics, materials science and photonics technology.

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Mathematics of Complex and Nonlinear Phenomena (MCNP)

Mathematical theories underpinning different classes of phenomena possess a universal character, with the same mathematical equations appearing to govern phenomena of different nature. The Mathematics of Complex and Nonlinear Phenomena can therefore be seen as the seed for cross-fertilisation between different research areas and disciplines.

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Northumbria Space Technology Laboratory

Designing, building and testing novel technology for science and engineering in space.

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Photovoltaics

Northumbria University Photovoltaics (NUPV) is a research group focused on developing new materials and devices for efficient, sustainable conversion of energy from sunlight. Our work spans a broad range of materials from polycrystalline thin films potentially suitable for TW electricity generation as well as the manufacture of novel devices. Key drivers for our work are increasing efficiency, cost reduction, sustainability and exploiting performance benefits afforded by semiconductor nanostructures. Our approach is highly collaborative and we work across a broad spectrum of academic and industrial collaborators.

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Solar and Space Physics

The Solar and Space Physics group researches the fundamental plasma physics of the solar system, including our Sun, the solar wind, and the plasma environments of Earth, other planets and comets. We use a wide variety of methods including theory, numerical modelling, observations, data intensive science, and space-related hardware.

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Electrical Power and Control Systems

The Electrical Power and Control Systems group is an internationally recognised multidisciplinary group, undertaking cutting edge research in renewable energy, power electronics, electric vehicles, battery charging, electric machine and drive, power system management and optimisation, advanced control theory and methods, autonomous driving, robotic systems, and artificial intelligence for engineering applications.

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Optical Communications Research Group (OCRG)

The Optical Communications Research Group (OCRG) specialises in visible light communications, non-linear control systems and optical sensor research.

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Renewable Energy Technologies and Materials

With over half of all energy consumption and carbon emissions occurring within building envelopes, our research interests are focused on the development and improvements of the means for providing low carbon and renewable energy for electricity, heating and air conditioning.

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Smart Materials & Surfaces Laboratory (SMSL)

Smart Materials and Surfaces Laboratory group design and research into novel functional/structural materials and fabrication strategies, often at micro/nano scales, to investigate into liquid-solid interactions and development of smart devices employing smart materials and surfaces. The group conducts fundamental and applied sciences for various applications in energy materials, sensors, healthcare wearables, acoustofluidics.

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Faculty Education Research Group

This cross-disciplinary group supports educational and pedagogic research, ranging from small projects with an immediate impact on the student experience, through to funded collaborative projects with external partners generating high impact outputs.

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Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering

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