07/10/2025

📢 CONTRABASS Secondment Update! 

We’re excited to share that Omnya Abdalla (DC1) has recently started her secondment at Sika AG in Zurich 🇨🇭, under the supervision of Patrick Juilland. 

🔬 During this secondment, Omnya will focus on investigating the dissolution rate of calcium tri-aluminate (C₃A)—a crucial phase in cement chemistry. Her work begins with synthesizing dense c-C₃A and o-C₃A, followed by exploring how different solution compositions (carbonates, sulfates, silicates), flow rates, and temperatures affect C₃A dissolution. 

🧪 To support her study, she’ll use advanced techniques such as: 

• Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI) 

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX) 

• ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy) 

This secondment is a fantastic opportunity to deepen understanding of cement carbonation and hydration, while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry. 

Enjoy your time in Zurich, Omnya—and make the most of this exciting hands-on experience! 🙌