Examples of research include studies of materials for thermal insulation, carbon dioxide separation and reduction, electrochemical energy storage/conversion, water treatment and controlled release, implants, and dental restoration. Significant efforts are being made in the research groups to derive materials from natural resources including subcomponents such as cellulose and lignin. In addition to the individual research and education projects, the PhD students have joint seminars and take an advanced PhD course.

For the processing of materials, the groups are using a range of different techniques that include field-assisted sintering and colloidal processing, additive manufacturing, electrospinning; hydrothermal methods, self-assembly of nanoparticles into mesocrystals, biomimetic routes for the synthesis of inorganic and hybrid inorganic/organic materials, and colloidal synthesis of porous polymer membranes.

A wide range of imaging, diffraction and spectroscopic tools are used to characterize the materials. In addition, various methods are used to probe the adsorptive, rheological, optical, magnetic, thermal, and mechanical properties of the materials. Most of these techniques are available in the department and the PhD students are trained to individually operate the instruments.