Physical sciences
Research in Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University spans the fundamental to the applied. Interdisciplinary is central to our research strategy against a policy of maximising the impact of our research outputs. Chemistry, physics, and geosciences sit at the core of research within our research institutes.
Research within our School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) is managed within five research institutes with chemistry and physics contributing to all of these to achieve a continuum from the fundamental to applied research that lead to a range of knowledge exchange activities with industry. Heriot-Watt researchers are active and enthusiastic partners in the Scottish chemistry and physics research pools, ScotChem and SUPA.
Research within the Institute of Chemical Sciences encompasses a broad spectrum of chemistry research interests range from fundamental aspects of pure chemistry to interdisciplinary areas which involve interactions with physics, biochemistry and applied science. Key areas of expertise in chemistry at Heriot-Watt University lie within dynamics and structure, materials chemistry, and molecular chemistry.
Heriot-Watt University's strengths in the physics of lasers, photonics, and optoelectronic devices is exploited within the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences covering photonic physics, engineering photonics and quantum sciences, building on a 40+ year history of world-leading research. Our broad research base encourages cross-fertilisation of ideas across the theoretical and experimental base of photonics and quantum sciences.