About us

The Institute for Frontier Materials at Deakin University is a leading materials science research institute.

Our researchers come from all over the world and from many different research areas, including engineering, chemistry, textile science and molecular modelling.

IFM metallurgy and materials researchers, working with researchers in artificial intelligence have created cutting-edge software that accelerates alloy design and optimises alloy processes, compared to traditional “trial and error” techniques.

Vision

To lead and inspire innovations in materials science and engineering that have a transformational benefit to society.

Mission

To create and translate knowledge at the frontier of materials science for globally raised standards of living by:

Re-designing materials for a circular economy
Imparting materials with extraordinary functionality

Through excellence in research quality, translation, training and research culture

Our team

IFM Executive:

Professor Sally McArthur

Director

Professor Maria Forsyth

Deputy Director

Professor Matthew Barnett

Professor - Advanced Alloys and Infrastructure Materials Theme Leader

Mrs Michelle Gait

General Manager

Professor Russell Varley

Professor - Carbon Fibre and Composites Theme Leader

Professor Joselito Razal

Professor - Fibres and Textiles Theme Leader

Professor Tiffany Walsh

Professor - Bionanotechnology

Professor Jenny Pringle

Professor - Research

Research:

Advanced Alloys and Infrastructure Materials

Theme leader Professor Matthew Barnett

Professor Of Applied Mechanics Professor Jeong Yoon

Associate Professor, Research Associate Professor Daniel Fabijanic

Honorary Professor Hon Prof Rimma Lapovok

Advanced Characterisation Facility Leader Dr Ross Marceau

Professor of Applied Electrochemistry and Corrosion Technologies Professor Mike (Yongjun) Tan

Associate Professor Associate Professor Will Gates
Electro and Energy Materials

Director, ARC storEnergy Training Centre Professor Maria Forsyth

Director, Battery Research and Innovation Hub Professor Patrick Howlett

Professor, Research Professor Jenny Pringle

Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair In Nanotechnology Professor Ying (Ian) Chen

Professor of Bionanotechnology Professor Tiffany Walsh

Professor (Research) Professor Lingxue Kong

Functional materials for energy generation ARC Future Fellow, Associate Professor Weiwei Lei
Fibres and Textiles

Director ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres Professor Joselito Razal

High Value Products and Fibre Powder Technologies Associate Professor Rangam Rajkhowa

Sustainable Textile Treatments and Short Polymer Fibre Technologies Associate Professor, Alessandra Sutti

Biomimetic Design and Supramolecular Assembly Associate Professor Jingliang Li

Plasma Coating Technologies and Multifunctional Membranes ARC Future Fellow Associate Professor Weiwei Lei

ARC Future Fellow Functional Fibrous and 2D Materials ARC Future Fellow Dan Liu

High Performance Materials and Protective Textiles Senior Fellow Chris Hurren

Sustainable Fibre Production Senior Fellow Maryam Naebe

Silk and Protein Biomaterials Senior Fellow Ben Allardyce

Self-cleaning Fabrics Senior Fellow Hong Wang

Manager ANFF Facilities and Circular Design Dr Dylan Hegh

Manager ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres Dr Emma Prime
Carbon Fibres and Composites

Professor of Composite Materials Professor Russell Varley

Professor, Materials Chemistry Professor Luke Henderson

Associate Professor, Research Professor Minoo Naebe

Vision

Mission

Our team

IFM Executive:

Research:

Advanced Alloys and Infrastructure Materials

Electro and Energy Materials

Fibres and Textiles

Carbon Fibres and Composites