This month I moved one step ahead in my research and elaborated the results of studies concerning HUVECs growth on genipin cross-linked polyelectrolyte coatings. I attempted to improve the cellular adhesion properties of films through chemical cross-linking with a genipin. Hyaluronan (HA), poly-L-lysine (PLL) and alginate (ALG) were used to assemble [PLL-HA]n and [PLL–ALG]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 each of the films topography and stiffness differently. Cellular adhesion, proliferation and functionality studies using endothelial cells, carried out on both films demonstrated differences. The [PLL–ALG]n film was shown to better improve endothelialization, especially for high bi-layer numbers and using higher concentrations of the cross-linker. In May, I participated in “Poznańskie Dni Cytometrii i Immunopatologii “conference, where I presented results of the mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into endothelial cells in order to rebuild tissue structure of porcine scaffolds after acellularization.

In May I focused my activity on writing a paper on a new method
for calculating grain boundary distributions. The new method
uses a concept of metric functions defined in the boundary parameter space.
The first tests showed that our approach
reveals more details comparing with the older method. Our
distributions are also provided with their errors.
Moreover, I received an information that my paper from the last year
conference is finally published.

In this month I made ​​the transition of data obtained in EBSD/SEM for the cross-section ND-TD and TD-ND into rolling ED-TD.
The analysis of texture data for the calculated percentage shares texture components defined as:
- C = (11-1) [112] - component 'Copper'
- S = (6-43 [132] - component 'S'
- G = (001) [110] - component 'Goss',
- B = (1-12) [110] - component 'Brass'
I could draw the following conclusions:
- It is possible to obtain the data of percentage shares of texture components on the plane (ED-TD) by performing measurements of local orientation in a plane perpendicular to the direction of ED and transforming it accordingly,
- The data obtained for the 1-hour annealing for increasing temperatures for alloys AA1050 and AA3004 showed no correlation,
- Area taken up to the study was too small to obtain reliable results,
- Verification of the results must always be done based on the measurement by another method.

I went to Mallorca within the ERASMUS exchange scheme where at the University of Balearic Islands I conducted DSC studies of some preselected samples.
I obtained promissing results, which hopefullly will help to compile a new paper studying the effect of atomic order enhancement on martensitic transformation temperature in Ni-Mn based alloys.

This month I took part in the EMAS2013 conference and a course “An Introduction to EPMA: An EMAS Short Course”. They were both held in Porto. During the conference I presented a poster. The course was very useful. It helped me to understand the WDS system which we have installed in the microscope that I barely use. Most of the time during this month I spend preparing for the conference so I did not do much experimental work.