This month I participated in a conference Deformability of Metals and Alloys "OMIS 2013" held in Lancut in 26-29 November 2013 . It was the tenth anniversary conference.
The aim of the conference was :
- Forum for the exchange of information and presentation of the results of experimental and theoretical studies related to the physical and mechanical aspects of plastic deformation in a variety of plastic forming processes of metallic materials;
- Linking research achievements in the field of materials science, engineering and manufacturing techniques and design of metallic materials ;
- Allowing the creation of interdisciplinary research teams for the implementation of joint projects of this seminar was to present the results of doctoral and exchange of experience.
On this occasion I gave a lecture: "Changes (micro)structure and texture during recrystallization of aluminum alloy AA1050 processed in the ECAP." Summary of my presentation was published in the conference proceedings.

On this occasion, was released an article: J. Poplewska, H. Paul: Behavior of the AA1050 aluminum alloy in ECAP and recrystallization including texture changes , Rudy i Metale No. 11 Volume 58 (2013) p 779-785 .
Abstract
The main aim of the experiment was to analyze the microstructure and texture changes during recrystallization of commercial AA1050 aluminum alloy. The samples were processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) along route A up to six passes and then annealed for 1 hour at temperatures ranged between 100°C and 350°C, to obtain different states of recrystallization. Studies carried out using scanning electron microscopy equipped with high-resolution electron backscattered diffraction facility (EBSD). An additional analysis was made by means of X-ray diffractometer.
The obtained results showed that at lower annealing temperatures, the material retains ultra-fine grain structure formed by ECAP. At higher annealing temperatures rapid grain growth appears and transformation of flattened grains into nearly equiaxed ones was observed. The {111} pole figures showed in the deformed and partially recrystallized states two, nearly complementarily oriented texture components. At the temperature of 270°C these texture components were changed into other two dominant (also complementarily or twin-related) ones.

Keywords: recovery and recrystallization, AA1050 aluminium alloy, ECAP, microstructure, texture

Lately I’ve performed some new experiments leading to in situ formation of aluminium nitride in Al matrix. In these current attempts I used a tube furnace for my experiments, which allowed me to apply constant flow of inert gas through the reaction chamber. I’ve tried to choose proper conditions (gas flow rate, temperature) for the experiment, but so far without a success.

Using the CMD method, the transport properties, volume and structure of liquid binary alloys have been analysed. Parameters describing the atoms binding, forMEAM potential, have been found and used for further study of liquid and undercooled systems.
Taking an account density of solid systems from literature and the developed interaction parameters for MEAM potential, the missing density of liquid melts have been predicted. Basing on predicted density, other properties have been analysed.

In November I continue the study of the electrodeposition process and the characterization of electrodeposited layers. I lead the process of potentiostatic deposition of Zn-Mo alloy layers, on the steel surfaces, from stable homogeneous Zn(II)-Mo(VI) citrate baths, with different compositions. Next the Zn-Mo coatings were characterizes by the following techniques: WDXRF, XRD, SEM.

This month I performed measurements of polyelectrolyte films by ellipsometry in order to assess their thickness. I also prepared series of samples for the analysis of cytotoxicity. Preliminary measurements were performed using AFM nanoindentation mode. Recently obtained results were presented as the poster entitled “Effect of genipin cross-linking on physico-chemical properties and cellularization process of PLL/HA multilayer polyelectrolyte films” during „2nd Joint PhD seminar”. This work was focused on biocompatibility improvement of polymer coatings by chemical cross-linking and further by films endothelialization. The integration of biomedical implants in human organism is dependent on the chemical composition and topography of the surface as well as the mechanical properties of an applied materials. While in the past most of the clinically used materials were developed only based on their acceptance by the body, today beneficial interactions of implants with cells and proteins gather more and more importance. Current development in cardiovascular devices is related to the biocompatibility improvement through manufacturing surfaces mimicking extracellular matrix components. This dynamic microenvironment facilitates covering an internal surface of implant by cell monolayer which mask the material from an inflammatory response and reduce risk of thrombosis. The aim of this study was to improve properties of blood contacting material such as polyurethane, by the “layer by layer” polyelectrolyte multilayer film formation on its surface in order to control implant endothelialisation. However, application of polyelectrolyte coatings as biomaterials for cell attachment has been limited due to their gel like characteristic. Herein, we attempt to improve the cellular adhesion properties of films through chemical cross-linking with a genipin. Hyaluronan (HA), poly-L-lysine (PLL) were used to assemble [PLL-HA]n films in two different thickness variants, 12 and 24 bi-layers respectively. The effects of genipin cross-linking on the internal composition, surface topography, nano-hardness of multilayers and as a consequence on cellular processes were investigated. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements shown a slight changes in the internal structure of multilayers cross-linked with various genipin concentration. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed that cross-linking affected film topography and stiffness. Cellular adhesion, proliferation and functionality studies using endothelial cells, carried out on both variants of film thickness, demonstrated significant differences. The [PLL–HA]24 film was shown to better improve endothelialization, especially for higher concentrations of the cross-linker.