In December, I took into consideration issues concerning methods of physico-chemical polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings characterization. I devoted time for a review of the literature on the use of radial flow test to determine the kinetics of cell adhesion on solid surfaces. I also made several attempts to analyze the value of shear stress in the system: blood - material with a modified surface. I also prepared a series of samples for preliminary analysis of FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and verifying the optimal stiffness of the system for settlement of cells such as smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

Main studies carried out during December:

- analysis of the results obtained so far,
- casting of new quaternary alloy,
- microstructure analysis of prepared ingot using SEM,
- preliminary tensile tests on melt-spun ribbons with molybdenum addition using INSTRON 6025,
- microstructure analysis of melt-spun ribbons with vanadium addition using TEM,
- participation in seminars and lectures

If the title is just 'report', that means that nothing really exciting happened... I have been slowly developing my tools for geometric grain boundary characterization, and collecting ideas for futher work. Hopefully, I should be able to analyze some statistical samples soon. What is more, there appeared the idea of comparing two methods for detecting GB character, as far as I know they have not been confronted yet.

My Research:

-Processing by ECAP (equal channel angular pressing) a sample of AA1050 three times according to route A.
-Completion of series of studies with scanning electron microscopy using technique - EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) - for creating orientation maps (microstructure) for aluminum alloy AA1050.
-Creating pole figures based on data obtained from orientation maps (from EBSD/SEM measurements).

In December I performed some Vicker’s hardness test on the last series of composite samples (with submicron AlN reinforcement). It turned out that they have considerably lower hardness than the previous series (with ~1 micron AlN) – about 250 HV. The worse mechanical properties may origin from the tendency of fine AlN particles to form agglomerates.
I also calculated a matrix grain size distribution of this series of composites on the basis of TEM bright field micrographs analysis.