In January, I continued my works on the thesis, namely on a part of literature review concerning production methods of particle reinforced aluminium matrix composites, e.g. mechanical alloying, reactive gas injection, etc..

I also performed some supplementary TEM investigations of in situ Al/AlN composites produced via reactive sintering.

This month I pulverized ribbons with two types of compositions. Obtained powders were used to prepare bulk samples by hot pressing. I have started to analyze these samples by XRD and SEM. First results are promising.
During this month I have prepared an abstract for the XV International Conference on Electron Microscopy concerning in-situ heating of melts spun ribbons with quasicrystalline particles.

This month I spent in writing the dissertation, but also managed to make a few AFM maps. It turns out that what is recommended not always is the best. Better than a standard probe FESPA dedicated to silicon was a harder one and that is what I'm going to continue my research.

Dear all, last month was full of surprises - unfortunately not good ones. I have spent almost half of the month on sample preparation (thin foils) using diffrent electrolytes without success. It was for alloys with high amount of Ca. In the end of month I have found a solution - but let me keep this as a secret. We all know that 'know how' is very expensive these days.

My paper entitled „ Tin–zinc alloy electrodeposition from aqueous citrate baths” is already available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2013.12.046

:)