In the beginning of this month I have visited the Foundry Research Institute. I have discussed details of planned research cooperation. I have also obtained the first sample to do some experiments on it. The work is focused on identification of corrosion processes occurring in seel sample during heating in oxidative atmosphere. Some preliminary measurement have been prosecuted during the rest of the month.

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