He uses atomic-scale computation to understand atomic interactions, grain boundary embrittlement and open system thermodynamics.
[2] He started working on tight-binding models, and that the total bonding energy of transition metals scaled with the square root of the coordination number (z).
[3] Finnis eventually moved to the Max-Planck-Institut für Metallforschung, where he started working on the science of interfaces.
[4] In 2006, Finnis joined Imperial College London, where he co-founded the Thomas Young Centre for the Theory and Simulation of Materials.
His research involves atom-scale computational models to understand the electronic and optical properties of materials.