Materials Physics consultancy

We are always keen to establish new partnerships and collaborations. Find out more about working with the Materials Physics Group.

Two scientists in a lab looking into a gas sensing machine

We are an established research team, working with 2D materials, and have collaborated closely and continuously with industry partners since 2016. We have attracted over £4m in research funding, predominantly backed by third-party industrial partners, developing IP, pilot-scale production and technology transfer pathways for nanomaterial coatings and devices.

Building on our our own intellectual property, our unique research portfolio, and extensive industry engagement, we launched our consultancy service in 2024. We have added significant value and delivered quantifiable benefits for targeted applications, working with clients in the UK, USA and Europe.

What we can do for you

We work from a suite of laboratories at the University of Sussex. Our consultancy activities cover four main areas: Nanoscale, Biological, Prototyping and Measurement. We advance product development through quality testing, benchmarking and protoyping, and we deliver proof of concept through rigorous process, supported by proven experience and expertise.

Our consultancy capabilities

Two scientists wearing white coats and blue latex gloves looking at objects through plastic spectroscopy equipment

Atomic force microscopy

  • surface topography
  • nano-mechanical properties
  • nano-electronic properties

Stylus profilometry

  • film thickness
  • surface roughness

Raman spectroscopy

  • chemical composition
  • mapping
  • thermal transport

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy/microscopy

  • chemical composition
  • mapping

Thermogravimetric analysis

  • temperature-dependent decomposition analysis

Rheology

  • viscosity and shear-based measurements

UV-visible spectrophotometry including integrating sphere reflectivity

  • dispersion and thin-film optical absorbance
  • reflectivity
  • haze

Photoluminescence spectroscopy

  • light emission in semiconductors

Electrical and electrochemical transport measurements

  • conductivity
  • temperature-dependent
  • impedance
  • capacitance

Mechanical testing stage

  • tensile, compressive and bending strain measurements
  • electromechanical strain sensing

Aerosol jet printer

  • formulation-free printing of functional inks

To find out more about our facilities and capabilities, email our research team at materials@sussex.ac.uk.

Client case studies

  • Surrey Nanosystems: Radio frequency characterisation

    We required radio frequency characterisation of our Vantablack® coatings to support growth opportunities in the aerospace and automotive sectors. This testing requires specific equipment which is otherwise challenging to source in the South East.

    The Materials Physics team contributed their expertise in materials and radio frequency characterisation, utilising their dedicated testing facilities. They delivered a very professional service including a thorough technical report which we could adapt to our needs.

    Materials Physics were agile in their response to our request for this testing, providing online calls to review the specific technical requirements well in advance of the testing. Materials Physics supported the experimental design and were on hand to coordinate with us on sample requirements. This meant that all the testing ran smoothly on the day.

    We were able to characterise the full range of Vantablack® coatings up to 6 GHz. The understanding gained from this exercise will support the commercial uptake of Vantablack® coatings in next-generation advanced driver assistance and spaceborne optical systems.

    The degree of technical support was excellent, and the entire process from set up to the delivery of the final report was smooth. The service offered by Materials Physics was very reasonably costed. We highly recommend Materials Physics as a materials testing consultancy.

    Dr Keiran Clifford, Senior Technologist, Surrey Nanosystems (2025)

  • GEW (EC) Ltd: Profilometry and transmission FTIR

    We wanted to assess the functional properties of polymerised UV-curable materials using profilometry and FTIR.

    We contacted the Materials Physics group to see if they would provide profilometry and transmission FTIR services. I was invited to visit and see the facilities and equipment before conducting trials in the labs.

    The testing was carried out ad hoc because this was more of a scoping exercise, which successfully generated optical images and quantitative profiling of microtextured materials, providing Proof of Concept methodology for use of transmission FTIR as a tool to assess relative polymerisation of UV-curable materials.

    I would recommend Materials Physics’ consultancy service.

    Ryan Turner, R&D Manager, GEW (EC) Ltd

Find out how we can collaborate with you

All projects are delivered by experienced senior researchers, under the group leadership of Professor Alan Dalton. Our projects are set up within a framework agreed with our Innovation and Business Partnerships team, who will fully support you through every stage of the journey.

Let's talk about your project and what you need: please email collaborate@sussex.ac.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.