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Engineering

DISCOVER CUTTING EDGE ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Driving engineering-led solutions to economic and social challenges.

Our world-leading researchers focus on sustaining a pipeline of world-leading basic science that delivers impact through commercialisation and knowledge exchange.

We work with partners across the University, regionally, and beyond, to transform a dependency on traditional manufacturing into a knowledge-based, data-driven economy. Influenced by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we have eight core research topics.

Cyber security abstract image of a lock
Connectivity and Cybersecurity

The Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) is home to the UK’s largest cyber-security research cluster, and its work protects the online activity of billions of internet users around the world. It has developed breakthrough innovations, including anti-counterfeit technology to prevent internet fraud; and new processors to deliver filtered internet to homes and businesses, stripping out viruses and malware.

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Advanced Manufacturing

Our focus is on developing methods for advanced automation, materials processing and product life cycle technologies for long-term manufacturing economic and environmental sustainability. The research integrates new material, process and machining technologies for a wide range of industrial sectors, including aerospace and automotives. The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Queen’s is a collaborative, innovative powerhouse of advanced manufacturing set to elevate our region globally. 

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Two members of Bioinformatics staff discuss data analysis in front of computer display
Computing and Data Analytics

Our research tackles advanced computing challenges with a focus on high-performance architectures, efficient algorithms, and AI-driven data analytics for insights from vast data sources. We support applications in medicine; like data driven health monitoring, security, sustainability, and commerce through machine learning, cloud, and edge computing. Our work spans circuit design to cloud infrastructure, including IoT, autonomous systems, and secure, scalable architectures. We also explore emerging paradigms like quantum and neuromorphic computing to drive innovation in diverse fields.

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Ionic liquids changing into batteries
Advanced Liquid Materials

We are world leaders in ionic liquids – liquid salts that act as a clean alternative to more polluting solvents, as they do not release fumes. Research conducted through Queen’s University Ionic Liquids Laboratories (QUILL) is helping the UK chemical industry move to greener and more profitable production. Our research, strongly rooted in ionic liquids, extends beyond to other advanced liquid and amorphous materials, such as ionogels, deep eutectic solvents and zwitterionic salts. Our research is interdisciplinary, with the focus on addressing the most urgent technological challenges of our times.

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Renewable energy solar panels
Clean Energy

Developing novel turbomachinery, after-treatment, power systems, biofuel and waste management technologies for improved environmental performance of next generation engineering products. Investigation of resources, conversion processes and impacts of alternative energy technologies and integrated renewable energy systems.

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Black 3D printer
Advanced Composites and Polymers

Queen’s Advanced Composites Research Group (ACRC) explores the design, analysis, manufacture, physical and virtual testing of advanced damage tolerant, multifunctional and nano-enhanced composite materials and structures. Development of new materials, products and processes for the medical devices and drug delivery industries.

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Wind turbine
Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

Technological and societal changes are transforming the nature of infrastructure. Our research priorities are guided by global challenges and a need to meet sustainable development in our built and natural environment. We look at future sustainable cities which are agile and future ready (e.g. for near zero energy autonomous vehicles), technological innovation for digital transformation of civil engineering, and affordable, reliable and environmentally sustainable marine renewable energy.

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Headlight of public city hydrogen fuel cell bus
Future Public Transport and Automotives

Developing innovative and crucial global transport solutions, Queen’s is a world-leading research centre for heavy duty hydrogen powertrain technologies - critical in moving towards a net-zero future. We are also coupling advanced simulation methods with new design, material and manufacturing processes to improve the physical, environmental and economic performance of future aircraft systems.

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