The Materials and Structures (MAST) Research Group has a diverse portfolio of fundamental and applied research of national and international standing. MAST is the largest research group of the department of engineering and activities cover upcycling of mineral wastes, additive manufacturing, nanomaterials, functional materials, non-destructive testing, topology, structural health monitoring, structural optimisation, and performance. These research areas are explored within the context of civil infrastructure and built environment, aerospace, mechanical/automotive engineering, and bioengineering.

MAST benefits from state-of-the-art facilities that include heavy structures laboratory, a wide range of structural testing capabilities, analytical testing facilities (including SEM-EDS; TEM; XRD; XRF; TGA; FTIR; HP-IsoCAL etc.) and bespoke testing equipment that include (but not limited to) high speed impact laboratory, nano-indentation, additive manufacturing, and a wind tunnel.