Characterization of NiCuON Coatings Obtained via RF Sputtering: Structure, Morphology, and Optical Properties.

The rapid advancement of technology necessitates the continual development of versatile materials that can adapt to new electronic devices. Rare earth elements, which are scarce in nature, possess the set of properties required for use as semiconductors. Consequently, this research aims to achieve similar properties using materials that are abundant in nature and have a low commercial cost.

Thin Layers of Cerium Oxynitride Deposited via RF Sputtering.

Thin films of transition metal oxides and oxynitrides have proven highly effective in protecting stainless steels against corrosion in both chemically aggressive environments and biological fluids. In the present work, cerium zirconium oxynitride thin films were deposited to enhance the corrosion resistance of surgical-grade stainless steel to be used in osteosynthesis processes. Two techniques were employed: co-sputtering and radiofrequency (RF) sputtering, and the morphology and corrosion efficiency of the coatings deposited by each technique were evaluated.

Study of the influence of physical, chemical and biological conditions that influence the deterioration and protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.

Two wrecks related to the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) were studied. Following the guidelines of the UNESCO-2001 Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, a holistic and interdisciplinary approach based on the development of four of the thirty-six Rules of this international agreement was applied. A non-destructive survey technique was developed to obtain information from the scattered cannons and anchors without altering their condition (Rule 4).

Biodeterioration of marble in an underwater environment.

This study examines the deterioration of geomaterials used throughout history that today may be found lying on the ocean floor. Submerged archaeological sites including cargoes from shipwrecks or ancient city ruins have been a topic of interest from a perspective of in situ musealization, as a way of making underwater cultural heritage accessible to the public. In an experimental study conducted at an underwater archaeological site in the Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain), we subjected two types of marble (Carrara and Macael) to three conditions to which submerged archaeological objects are often exposed: full exposure to the water column, natural processes of burial and unearthing, or permanent burial.