ABOUT

Our work focuses mainly on developing new manufacturing methods and computational tools to produce components from recyclable advanced thermoplastic composites, and to predict their final structural behaviour. We aim to mitigate and predict manufacturing defects and understand how they can influence structural performance. Ultimately we wish to help create light-weight, sustainable parts with less costly trail and error experimentation. We also explore the use of smart, multi-functional composites and sandwich core materials that can further enhance the viability of composite structures.

ABOUT

2005

>£1M

>140

Established Group in UoG

Funded projects

Publications

RESEARCH THEMES

Press-form simulation using springs to tension the advanced thermoplastic composite blank

Manufacturing Simulations & Material Characterisation

Fast and accurate forming predictions are important to reducing costs. Our aim is predict fibre directions and any potential defects that might occur during forming, based on material behaviour and manufacturing conditions. These predictions can be fed into structural simulations in a defect-tolerant approach to the design of composite structures. Accurate simulations require accurate material characterisation; improving state-of-the art experimental forming tests is an important part of our research.

Smart Composites & Sandwich Core Materials

We are interested in the manufacture, modelling and application of smart multi-functional composites and sandwich core materials. These materials have the potential to further reduce weight by combining extra functionality within both structural and non-structural components.

Robotic arm using induction heating technology

Novel Manufacturing
Processes

We aim to enhance and improve existing manufacturing processes for composite materials using novel processing techniques. A current focus is on the use of induction heating and the development of 'lubricated blanks' to mitigate wrinkling in multi-axial laminates.

A tessellated steered fibre plate containing elliptical holes

Structural Simulations

We predict the influence of fibre steering, forming defects and variability in fibre directions, on the mechanical response of composite laminates and structures. Damage detection, though the development of structural health monitoring, and its influence on subsequent structural response is also explored.

SERVICES

PROJECTS

iMelt - induction melt thermoforming of advanced thermoplastic composites

Low cost steered-fibre structures

Forming of advanced thermoplastic composites

Comprehensive modelling of the forming mechanics of engineering fabrics

PROJECTS

TEAM

Group Lead

Philip Harrison is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, where he co-leads the Materials and Manufacturing Research Group. Prior to this he conducted polymer composites related research in several internationally leading groups in Europe, including: the Composites Group at the University of Nottingham, the Materials Group in the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Centre de Mise en Forme in the Ecole des Mines de Paris and the Rheology Group in the University of Wales at Aberystwyth. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Higher Academy of Education. He has authored over 140 publications and is listed in the Stanford/Elsevier ranking of the world's top cited authors by c-score.

Current Researchers

Ali Tabatabaeian is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, he joined the Materials & Manufacturing Research Group in 2021 while pursuing his PhD in Aerospace Engineering. His doctoral research focused on developing lightweight bio-inspired composites for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. After completing his PhD in 2024, Ali began working on the EPSRC-funded project, "Induction Melt Incremental Thermoforming of Advanced Thermoplastic Composites". Ali's research interests include the experimental and computational mechanics of composite materials and structures. His work has resulted in the publication of over 40 scientific papers in leading international journals and conferences.

Former Group Members

A full list of PDRAs and PhD students that have worked in and graduated from the group can be found here. This includes 6 PDRAs and many PhD students.

Past Researchers

2017-2020: Dr Zhaofei Xiao - 2-D Forming of Low Cost Steered Fibre Laminates, University of Glasgow
2019-2020: Dr Kenneth Nwanoro - From the Golden Age to the Digital Age, Modelling and Monitoring Historic Tapestries, University of Glasgow
2016-2019: Dr Jafar Alsayednoor - From the Golden Age to the Digital Age, Modelling and Monitoring Historic Tapestries, University of Glasgow
2016: Dr Akuro Big-Alabo - Drapeability Analysis, University of Glasgow
2013: Dr Farag Abdiwi - Low-cost Manufacture of Steered Fibre Laminates, University of Glasgow

Past PhD Students

2025: Nimrehka Kahavitage Dona - Investigation of Thermoplastic Composite Forming Processes for Automotive and Industrial Structures Production, University of Glasgow
2025: Ali Tabatabaeian - Next generation of light weight bio-inspired composites, University of Glasgow
2023: Ho Lee - Buckling and Post-Buckling of Mechanically Coupled Composite Structures, University of Glasgow
2022: Iain Campbell - University of Glasgow (PI - Dr Daniel Mulvihill)
2021: Rosa Costantini –From the Golden Age to the Digital Age, Modelling and Monitoring Historic Tapestries, University of Glasgow (PI - Prof Frances Lennard)
2015: Dr Akuro Big-Alabo – Multi-Layered Sensor/Actuator Plates And Panels For Smart Automotive Structure, University of Glasgow (CI Prof Matthew Cartmell at Uni of Sheffield)
2014: Dr Gerlind Schubert – Manufacture, characterisation and modelling of magneto-rheological elastomers, University of Glasgow
2014: Dr Ali Bigliari - Computational methods for non-linear structural problems, University of Glasgow
2013: Dr Jafar Alsayednoor – Microstructural modelling of porous materials, University of Glasgow
2013: Dr Qusai Hatem Jebur - Characterisation and modelling of viscoelastic foams, University of Glasgow
2013: Dr Farag Abdiwi – Characterisation and Modelling of the Shear-Tension Coupling and Variability of Woven Engineering Fabrics, University of Glasgow (recipent of School of Engineering Alan Stirling Brown Prize)

TEAM

MEDIA

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MEDIA

OPPORTUNITIES

If you are a motivated graduate student with a strong CV, a good first degree in science/engineering and are interested in creating a more sustainable future via research on recyclable thermoplastic and smart composites, then please do get in touch for a discussion. Information on how to apply can be found here. The university application is independent of funding but is the first step in the process. After that you will need to secure funding by, for example, applying for a suitable scholarship (see the application information).