Alexis has visited the CEREGE for two weeks in January 2014, in the framework of her studies about iron-based composite particles that she develops as a student of Duke University. She used two different magnetometers from the CEREGE equipment to monitor the oxidation of zero valent iron particles. These measurements help to model the kinetics of oxidation and allow a better understanding of how a novel surface stabilizer may slow the oxidation process.
In the lab
Because the particles she worked with oxidize quickly when exposed to air, all her syntheses was made in a nitrogen glovebox. She got helped by Mélanie Auffan and Danielle Bloomberg. She has also worked closely with Jérôme Gattacceca who studies the magnetic properties and magnetization of extraterrestrial materials and shared his experience to design experiments and use the instruments. She has met and discussed with many others researchers : Jean-Yves Bottero, Daniel Borschneck, and Jérôme Labille.
