The Coatings and Surface Engineering (CSE) research group at the University of Nottingham is the largest thermal and cold spray research group in the UK. We host the UK's Centre of Excellence in Advanced Ceramic Coatings. The centre currently hosts a 5 Year EPSRC Fellowship on Ceramic Coatings (2021-26). Find out more about the EPSRC Fellowship here.
How our work is transforming the Aerospace industry can be found here.
We carry out fundamental and applied research into various coatings and surface engineering technologies, including Suspension Plasma Spray, Solution Precursor Plasma Spray, High Velocity Oxy-Fuel Spray, High and Low Pressure Cold Spray, Aerosol Deposition, Spray based additive manufacturing, Chemical Vapour Deposition and Physical Vapour Deposition. Processing-microstructure-properties relationships of metallic, ceramic and cermet coatings are at the core of our research. Our research is aimed at achieving Netzero, materials circularity and sustainable materials processing for a better world.
Our research broadly addresses the following sectors:
- Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) and Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs) for next generation of Aerospace Propulsion
- Dielectric coatings for electrification of aerospace propulsion
- Functional materials, such as thermoelectric and Metamaterials
- Biomedical and bioactive coatings for bone integration
- High temperature deposit induced corrosion of coatings and alloys in extreme operating environment, including state of the art CMAS and steam recession facilities
- Tribology and wear of coatings from room to 1000 C in sliding wear
- Additive Manufacturing and Repair of Ni-superalloys, precipitation hardenable alloys (Al) using Cold Gas Dynamic Spray
Research themes
The Coatings and Surface Engineering research team is multi-disciplinary in nature and cuts across several research themes in physics, chemistry, advanced materials and manufacturing engineering. We work closely with Advanced Materials Research Group.
Our research can be broadly classified into distinctive themes:
We work across all Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) to deliver bespoke solutions for advanced manufacturing tasks.
Suspension HVOF spraying
Suspension high velocity oxy-fuel spraying of 200 nm alumina in water suspension. UTP Topgun is producing coatings for extreme wear.
News
- UoN backs diversity in STEMM inquiry
- Description
- The House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee has accepted a proposal backed by researchers at the University of Nottingham to assess the impact of science funding on equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. The parliamentary inquiry will investigate how funding policies affect the diversity in STEMM
- Date:
- 06/03/2019
- Federico Venturi publication
- Description
- Dr Federico Venturi's work on the development of a thin graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) film on stainless steel substrate using SHVOF has now been published.The low-friction and wear-protecting film reduces the coefficient of friction of a factor 10 compared to the stainless steel-only case. In this work, a radial injection approach is used, which prevents the degradation of GNPs upon spray. A Raman spectroscopy based analysis assesses the extent of structural disorder in GNPs throughout the process. This research yields promising results for a GNP-based wear protection coverage of mechanical parts over large areas.
- Date:
- 28/02/2019
- Surface Engineering Leadership Forum event
- Description
- The CME group had the opportunity to attend the launch event of the Surface Engineering Leadership Forum (SELF) hosted by Lord Whitby at the House of Lords.Our group leader Tanvir Hussain proudly represented the thermal and cold spray teams here at the University of Nottingham.The attendants enjoyed a great evening with the participation of speakers such as Keith Smith, Director of Apprenticeships, Bryan Allcock from Monitor Coatings Ltd., Robert Quarshie from KTN and Lord Popat (trade envoy to Uganda and Rwanda).
- Date:
- 19/02/2019
- Neutron experiments at ANSTO
- Description
- Neutron scattering experiments at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) will take place in May this year after a proposal to perform small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS) measurements was granted. Additional funding, aimed to cover the travel and accommodation during the stay was secured through a travel grant from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.The goal of the experiments is to further understand the porosity levels and size distribution of thermal and environmental barrier coatings deposited using suspension thermal spray, including its evolution after high temperature exposure.
- Date:
- 19/02/2019
- Numerical modelling of SHVOF publication
- Description
- Sunil Chadha's work on numerical modelling of the gas dynamics and evaporation rates on suspension HVOF related to the geometry of the nozzle has been published in Surface and Coatings Technology. Congratulations to Sunil Chadha and collaborating authors for a fantastic work!
- Date:
- 10/01/2019
This website is maintained and updated by CSE Team. In case of incorrect information or any other issues, please report it here.