December was dedicated to diffusion process observation in the PEM coatings using Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching technique. I prepared two series of samples for SEM analysis. The first series of specimens was cross-linked by four different concentrations of the chemical reagent and the second one was subjected to variable temperature conditions. I have started working on results obtained in a radial flow chamber experiments. Moreover I presented results obtained so far for my coatings on the PhD seminar in Dresden. During visit in Germany I also participated in workshop "Nano-scale Materials and Advanced Characterization Techniques". I listened a series of lectures on advanced nano-analysis techniques for materials science and I had an opportunity to become familiar with the equipment available in the laboratories of the Fraunhofer (IZFP-D) Institute, where course took place.

In December we took part in the Joint PhD Seminar (Radeburg, Germany) and Nano-scale materials and advanced characterization techniques – European advanced training course (Dresden, Germany).
During the former we had an opportunity to exchange our scientific experience and consult results of our recent investigations with PhD students from Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Studies. During the seminar I gave a speech on “Aluminium matrix nano-composites reinforced with aluminium nitrides”.
The latter gave us an overview of number of advanced techniques used in materials characterization, including Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atom Probe Tomography, Nanoindentation, etc..

This month was short due to Christmas break. I was preparing to the exam of French language.

I have been working on a paper to be sent to a scientific journal. The paper concerns the structural properties of Ni-Mn-Sn based ribbons. Some TEM, SEM, XRD and DSC results are shown. Some initial magnetization versus temperature curves are also presented.

In the beginning of this month I took part in a “Joint PhD Seminar” meeting and “Nano-scale Materials and Advanced Characterization Techniques” course. They were both held in Germany near Dresden. During the seminar I presented results of measurements carried out so far. The title of my presentation was “Application of 3D-EBSD technique to microstructure characterization of zirconia ceramics”.