In April we did some TEM work on Ni-Mn-Sn based and aluminium doped samples. The aluminium content was 1 and 2 atomic %. The first sample with 1 at. % of Al nicely showed typical for this materials Heusler structure composed of four interpenetrating bcc sub lattices. What is more in the grain boundary areas we spotted martensite precipitates in a form of characteristic martensitic plates. This is not a surprise since according to recent studies by Chen et al. Al increases martensite start transition temperature by decreasing the unit cell volume. It was then justified to expect even more martensitic plates in the sample stuffed with 2 at. % of aluminium. TEM later confirmed this expectation. The sample revealed a two phase structure, with one of the phases being 4O martensite. We made several BF images and STEM too in order to determine the average grain size.
This month I also gave a talk on my research work and up to date progress. No need to say that I delivered in a bravado style!

I am still fighting and looking for ideas how to extract information which is of my interest from 3D EBSD data in an effective way. I have been testing a dozen of different computer programs... however none gives satisfying results. It appear I will have to spend some more time looking for good solutions.

In march I studied the mechanism of electrodeposition of Zn-Mo alloy from citrate solutions. I used cyclic voltammetry method for it. The electrodeposits were obtained from stable, homogeneous Zn(II)-Mo(VI) citrate solutions in the slightly acid range (pH about 5). The surface composition was determined by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF)at AGH University of Scince and Technology Faculty of Non-ferrous Metals (http://www.uci.agh.edu.pl/laboratoria/laboratorium.php?a=252).
The mechanism and kinetics of molybdenum co-deposition with zinc is still not precisely described as well as the oxidation state of molybdenum additives in coatings are not unequivocally determined so my work is very interesting but still in progress.

From 29 March to 1 April 2012 I had the pleasure to participate in the III Symposium on Photovoltaic and Transparent Electronics - Perspectives of Development. At the Symposium I have presented the speech entitled "Chemical texturisation of crystalline silicon surface in solution based on HF and HNO3 and its influence on functional parameters of solar cells." Subject matter was awarded by its publication in the technical journal Elektronika, and same speach awarded second prize by the Scientific Committee of the Symposium.

My research in March:
- Vicker’s microhardness test performed on the third series of composite samples
(with submicron AlN reinforcement)
- ball-milling of Al/AlN (10%) and AA7475/AlN (5%) powders
- uniaxial hot pressing of Al/AlN (10%) ball milled powder
- TEM investigations of Al/Mg3N2 compacts with EDX anlysis