In November I took part in the European PhD School on "Nanoanalysis using focussed ion and electron beams" - Week 1: "Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES): a comprehensive overview" held in Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann (Belvaux, Luxembourg, November 14-18)
The workshop gave me an overview of the three nanometric analytical techniques - Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, Auger Electron Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Lectures covered: ion and electron interactions with matter, instrumentation and application aspects of these techniques.
Apart from the lectures, I also participated in 5 practical sessions (which took place directly in front of the instruments) - each one devoted to the one of the following techniques: Dynamic SIMS, NanoSIMS, AES or Tof-SIMS.

Based on so far experiences, the solution model was used to simulation the physical properties. Firstly it was concentrated on density, later on viscosity. Each of them play significant role in developing a new materials and technology. Knowledge of the density of liquid metals and alloys is crucial in most theories related to the liquid state and the simulation of the contraction that occurs during solidification. There are several methods for measuring the density of liquid metals: pycnometer, maximum-bubble, etc. While, the viscosity is one of the most important transport properties of molten metals. It is related to the internal friction within the liquid and provides some information about the structure of the materials. However, a new experimental method of Roach-Henein enable to simultaneous the determination of three physical properties, namely density, viscosity and surface tension. This new formulation allow to predict flow rate of a stream draining from an orifice under the influence of gravity. Studies was focused on Ag-based liquid alloy.

Using a hydraulic press flat samples prepared from magnesium alloy for static tensile test while using the probe emitting sound waves. The samples were cut from a sheet of magnesium alloy AZ31 along the rolling direction. The study of static tensile tests showed no effect of ultrasound waves on the elongation and tensile strength of the samples. This could be the result of improper, transverse to the sample, the direction of application of the source of acoustic waves.

Investigation of silicon quantum nanostructures and plasmonic structures for the photovoltaic applications

Some thoughts after initial literature review

The subject I will be tackling during next four years is related to application of commercially pure titanium as a structural biomaterial for modern dental implants. Pure titanium is known for its excellent biocompatible properties and corrosion resistance. It also isn’t magnetic and it does not easily conduct heat or electricity. It isn’t however strong enough to be used as a implant material. Therefore it is often alloyed with additives such as aluminum and vanadium or more recently niobium, zirconium and tantalum [1]. Other methods of metal strengthening, non-relying on use of toxic and poisonous additives (or additives in general) consist of introduction of dislocations and grain refinement by means of severe plastic deformation. So far method used most extensively for titanium grain refinement is a severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique called Equal Chanel Angular Pressing (ECAP). ECAP produces ultra-fine grained titanium with strength properties substantially improved over standard coarse grained Ti, but still worse than those of Ti–6Al–4V alloy [2]. There are reports of nano-crystalline titanium with even higher strengths obtained by ECAP conduced in room temperatures [3] or by means of hydrostatic extrusion [4]. However there is still little or no quantitative information regarding microstructure of titanium processed by such techniques. Orientation Imaging Microscopy examinations of titanium produced by these as well as other methods (for instance KOBO method), might substantially improve understanding of those materials, and hopefully this is the kind of research I will be able to conduct in the proximate future.

In October I've also had opportunity to participate in workshop on „Advanced Electron Microscopy Methods Applied to Investigations of Nanomaterials” which was held by Warsaw University of Technology (Warsaw 06-07.10.2011).

[1] Mitsuo Niinomi, Materials Science and Engineering A243 (1998) 231–236
[2] V. V. Stolyarov et al., Materials Science and Engineering A303 (2001) 82–89
[3] Xicheng Zhao et al., Scripta Materialia 59 (2008) 542–545
[4] W. Pachla et al., Journal of Materials Processing Technology 205 (2008) 173–182