Contact Dr Sue Impey

Areas of expertise

  • Instrumentation, Sensors and Measurement Science
  • Manufacturing of Functional Materials
  • Aerospace Materials
  • Nanomaterials
  • Smart Materials
  • Surface Engineering

Background

Dr Sue Impey is a materials scientist with over 30 years expertise in surface characterisation and thin oxide coatings for a wide range of applications.

Formerly academic lead responsible for the management of analytical equipment for surface and materials characterisation at 老司机福利社 and resources, Sue delivered (March 2021) a significant investment in scanning electron microscopy for the University for the benefit of external clients, students and staff.

Research opportunities

Research activity and interests are in surface and interface engineering. In particular, the design of functional ultrathin films and coatings. enhancing service life of assets through surface coatings, corrosion protection. Current areas of interest are developing novel materials and processing techniques for applications in sustainability using electrochemical processes (next generation batteries and hydrogen electrolysis).

Dr Impey seeks excellent PhD candidates who are eager to learn and carry out research in nanomaterials, surface engineering, thin films, coating manufacturing development and component lifetimes. Information on fees and funding opportunities can be found at: /study/taught-degrees/fees-and-funding

We are interested to hear from you if you have an MSc (or close to completion) in materials science/engineering, physical/electro-chemistry, mechanical/electrical engineering, micro/nanotechnology, biology/bioscience or relevant thin film manufacturing and characterisation disciplines. For further details please contact Dr Impey or Dr's Aria and Chianella

Current activities

Previous and ongoing research projects include:

UKRI Innovate UK 133908: Flexible Electrochromic Windows with Photovoltaic Generation

HEIF/Tata Steel, Corby UK: Corrosion and Service Life Testing; pre-commission cleaning, commissioning, life prediction of pipeline materials for building and industrial services pipelines.

EPSRC/ Sophion Bioscience A/S Denmark: Measurement system to determine the mechanical properties of 3D printed hydrogel structures

EPSRC/BAE Systems: Structural health monitoring of composite structures using securely embedded fibre optic sensors and low cost COTS connectors

Aqua Holdings Ltd Ukraine: Environmentally acceptable corrosion and scale inhibitors in circulating open cooling water systems

Doctoral Research:

Novel technologies for the manufacture of promising new green materials such as biofuels and lactic acid

Protection of magnesium alloys from corrosion using magnesium rich surfaces

Clients

Thin Metal Films Ltd

Sophion Ltd

Tata Steel

Building and Industrial Services Pipeline Academy

Safran

BAE Systems,

Relevant previous clients include:

EPSRC (CTA and IMRC)

Airbus UK, Rolls-Royce

SIFCO ASC,

Rexam

Publications

Articles In Journals

Conference Papers

Books