Contact Dr Sue Impey
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 754062
- Email: S.A.Impey@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
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 range of applications. Currently course director for the Aerospace Materials MSc (Manufacturing and Materials) at Cranfield University, supporting the learning and skills development of a select cohort of students focused on aerospace materials engineering over one year (10 to 20 students) part of the larger combined Manufacturing and Materials MSc course family (150 to 200 students per year). Sue's teaching focus is on sustainable, functional aerospace materials, materials selection, and characterisation. Winner of the Student Choice Award 2023 for best lecturer in the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing. She provides and supports industry focused projects for students.
Formerly academic lead responsible for the management of analytical equipment for surface and materials characterisation at Cranfield University 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: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/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
- Nofrizal N, Wulandari M, Impey S, Georgarakis K, Papanikolaou M, .... (2024). An experimental and simulation screening of X-65 steel weldment corrosion in high flow rate conditions. Materials Today Communications, 39
- Khalili MH, Williams CJ, Micallef C, Duarte-Martinez F, Afsar A, .... (2023). Nanoindentation Response of 3D Printed PEGDA Hydrogels in a Hydrated Environment. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 5(2)
- Hakim Khalili M, Panchal V, Dulebo A, Hawi S, Zhang R, .... (2023). Mechanical Behavior of 3D Printed Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Hydrogels in Hydrated Conditions Investigated Using Atomic Force Microscopy. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 5(4)
- Hakim Khalili M, Zhang R, Wilson S, Goel S, Impey SA, .... (2023). Additive Manufacturing and Physicomechanical Characteristics of PEGDA Hydrogels: Recent Advances and Perspective for Tissue Engineering. Polymers, 15(10)
- Cox R, Salonitis K, Impey SA & Rebrov E. (2023). Characterising flow with continuous aeration in an oscillatory baffle flow reactor using residence time distribution. Reaction Chemistry & Engineering, 8(12)
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J, Hobbs S, Impey SA, Aria AI, .... (2022). Effects of long-term exposure to the low-earth orbit environment on drag augmentation systems. Acta Astronautica, 195(June)
- Khalili MH, Afsar A, Zhang R, Wilson S, Dossi E, .... (2022). Thermal response of multi-layer UV crosslinked PEGDA hydrogels. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 195(January)
- Shehu NU, Impey S & Ganguly S. (2022). Corrosion behaviour of wire plus arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) built high strength pipeline steels. RHAZES: Green and Applied Chemistry, 14
- Cox R, Salonitis K, Rebrov E & Impey SA. (2022). Revisiting the Effect of U-Bends, Flow Parameters, and Feasibility for Scale-Up on Residence Time Distribution Curves for a Continuous Bioprocessing Oscillatory Baffled Flow Reactor. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 61(30)
- Impey S, Saxena P & Salonitis K. (2021). Selective Laser Sintering Induced Residual Stresses: Precision Measurement and Prediction. Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing, 5(3)
- Isern L, Impey S, Clouser SJ, Milosevic D & Endrino JL. (2018). Particle Distribution, Film Formation and Wear Performance of Brush Plated Ni/WC. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 165(9)
- Balinski K, Jahns K, Schroth M, Bursich S, Salime J, .... (2018). Oxidation behaviour of synthetic stainless steel interdiffusion layers. Materials at High Temperatures, 35(1-3)
- Isern L, Impey S, Almond H, Clouser SJ & Endrino JL. (2017). Structure zone diagram and particle incorporation of nickel brush plated composite coatings. Scientific Reports, 7(1)
- Durazo-Cardenas IS, Noguera-Sagrera A & Impey SA. (2014). Analysis of infrared optical polishing effluents and reduction of COD and TSS levels by ultrafiltration and coagulation/flocculation. Desalination and Water Treatment, 52(25-27)
- Adegbite MA, Robinson MJ & Impey SA. (2013). Electrochemical evaluation of flow accelerated preferential weld corrosion of X65 pipeline steel using jet impingement. Corrosion Management
- Armani F, Gougis M, Impey SA, James AC, Lawson K, .... (2010). Nanostructured TiO2 — morphological and structural changes. Materials Letters, 64(2)
- Allen DM, Almond HJ, Bedner K, Cabeza M, Courtot B, .... (2009). Processing and characterisation of precision microparts from nickel-based materials. Microsystem Technologies, 15(8)
- Durazo-Cardenas I, Shore P, Luo X, Jacklin T, Impey SA, .... (2007). 3D characterisation of tool wear whilst diamond turning silicon. Wear, 262(3-4)
- Allen DM, Almond HJA, Gaben F & Impey S. (2005). The Causes and Prevention of Smut on Etched AISI 300 Stainless Steels. CIRP Annals, 54(1)
- Garcia-Miquel JL, Zhang Q, Allen SJ, Rougier A, Blyr A, .... (2003). Nickel oxide sol–gel films from nickel diacetate for electrochromic applications. Thin Solid Films, 424(2)
- Rougier A, Blyr A, Garcia J, Zhang Q & Impey SA. (2002). Electrochromic W–M–O (M=V, Nb) sol-gel thin films: a way to neutral colour. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 71(3)
- Williams PA, Jones AC, Bickley JF, Steiner A, Davies HO, .... (2001). Synthesis and crystal structures of dimethylaminoethanol adducts of Ni(ii) acetate and Ni(ii) acetylacetonate. Precursors for the sol–gel deposition of electrochromic nickel oxide thin films. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 11(9)
- Impey SA, Huang Z, Patel A, Beanland R, Shorrocks NM, .... (1998). Microstructural characterization of sol–gel lead–zirconate–titanate thin films. Journal of Applied Physics, 83(4)
- Ricote J, Corker DL, Whatmore RW, Impey SA, Glazer AM, .... (1998). A TEM and neutron diffraction study of the local structure in the rhombohedral phase of lead zirconate titanate. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 10(8)
- Ricote J, Whatmore RW & Impey SA. (1998). Characterization by transmission electron microscopy of high-Zr-content lead zirconate titanate ceramics. BOLETIN DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE CERAMICA Y VIDRIO, 37(2-3)
- Stephenson DJ, Impey SA, Malik M & Hancock P. (1993). Modelling initiation of surface damage on aluminium by high velocity water jets. Materials Science and Technology, 9(10)
- Impey SA, Stephenson DJ & Nicholls JR. (1988). Mechanism of scale growth on liquid aluminium. Materials Science and Technology, 4(12)
- Isern L, Impey S, Milosevic D, Clouser SJ & Endrino JL. Wear-resistant nickel-matrix composite coatings incorporating hard chromium carbide particles. Frontiers in Coatings, Dyes and Interface Engineering, 1
Conference Papers
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J, Hobbs S, Holbrough IE, Beck JC, .... (2020). Effects of long-term exposure to the low-earth orbit environment on drag augmentation systems
- Xia P, Almond H & Impey S. (2016). Investigation of pre & post plating surface roughness of electroless nickel phosphorus coated substrate for diamond turning application
- Adegbite MA, Robinson MJ & Impey SA. (2016). Evaluation of Flow Enhanced Preferential Weld Corrosion of X65 Pipeline Steel Using a Novel Submerged Impingement Jet
- Nofrizal N, Robinson MJ & Impey SA. (2016). The effect of flow rate on the preferential weld corrosion of X65 pipeline steel
- Xing ZX, Nicholls JR & Impey SA. (2015). FEA Simulation Model in Support of the Mechanical Reliability of Automotive Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors
- Adegbite MA, Impey SA & Robinson MJ. (2014). The influence of hydrodynamics on the preferential weld corrosion of X65 linepipe steel in flowing brine containing carbon dioxide
- Adegbite MA, Robinson MJ & Impey SA. (2013). Electrochemical evaluation of flow accelerated preferential weld corrosion of X65 pipeline steel using jet impingement
- Allen DM, Almond HJ, Bedner K, Cabeza M, Courtot B, .... (2008). Processing and characterization of precision microparts from nickel-based materials
- Durazo-Cardenas I, Luo X, Jacklin T, Impey SA & Shore P. (2005). Tool-life influence of diamond gems whilst diamond turning of silicon infrared optics
- Jefferson B, Dunn SC, Impey SA, Kimpton CM & Parsons SA. (2005). Use of surface diagnostics for struvite scale analysis
- Wellman RG, Tourmente H, Impey S & Nicholls JR. (2004). Nano and microhardness testing of aged EB PVD TBCs
- Dunn S, Impey S, Kimpton C, Parsons SA, Doyle J, .... (2004). Surface diagnostics for scale analysis
- Impey SA, Garcia-Miguel JL, Allen S, Blyr A, Bouessay I, .... (2003). Colour neutrality for thin oxide films from pulsed laser deposition and sol-gel
- Allen DM, Impey SA, Robin R & Chen TT. (1999). Nature and influence of surface layers and films on the chemical and electrochemical micromachining of NiTi shape memory alloys
- Beltrão PA, Gee AE, Corbett J, Whatmore RW, Goat CA, .... (1999). Single point diamond turning of ferroelectric materials
- Beltrão, PA, Gee AE, Corbett J, Whatmore RW, Goat CA, .... (1999). Single point diamond machining of ferroelectric materials
- Kayes AP, Robinson MJ & Impey S. (1999). The influence of cleaning and surface treatment on filiform corrosion of aluminium alloys
- Beltrao PA, Gee AE, Corbett J, Whatmore RW, Goat CA, .... (1998). "Ductile mode" machining of ferroelectric materials
- Impey SA, Huang Z, Patel A, Watton R & Whatmore RW. (1996). Structural characterisation of sol-gel PZT thin films
