Dr Susan Impey joined Cranfield from the chemical industry. She was awarded an MSc in Materials Science and a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering for work in aluminium alloy oxidation and recycling. Since this time, Dr Impey has conducted research for the Materials Department into oxidation and corrosion aspects of liquid metals for the casting industry, high temperature coatings for the aerospace industry, and ferroelectric ceramics and thin films for the microelectronics manufacturing industry. Since 1995, Dr Impey has been responsible for the management of analytical equipment for surface and materials characterisation at Cranfield University and all resources including staff. She provided support to the University and a service to industry in materials characterisation and failure analysis using analytical methods. Her research interests also include the use and development of analytical techniques using surface analysis and electron microscopy.

Susan's research focuses on Instrumentation & Sensors, Manufacturing of Functional Materials, Aerospace Materials, Nanomaterials, Smart Materials, Surface Engineering.