The initial stages of AM60-AlN nanocomposite and AM60 corrosion behaviors were compared over 30 days of exposure to solution ($\mathrm{NaCl}$, ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ and ${\mathrm{NaHCO}}_3$), simulating the marine-coastal environment (SME). The incorporation of AlN nanoparticles (1.0 wt.%) in the AM60 alloy matrix favored the lower roughness of the AM60-AlN, associated with the grain refinement in the matrix. During the immersion of the alloys, pH of the SME solution shifted to alkaline values >9, and therefore, the solubility of AlN aluminum hydroxide phases were raised, followed by a slightly higher release of Mg-ions and corrosion rate increase. The chloride ions attributed to the unstability of the Al-Mn phase and $\mathrm{Al}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_3$ corrosion product was formed in a low content. The composite AM60-AlN presented lower value of the electrochemical noise resistance $\left({\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{n}}\right)$, suggesting that the corrosion process occurs with less difficulty. The localized corrosion near the Al-Mn cathodes seems to be stronger on the composite surface, in area and depth of penetration. The corrosion current fluctuations suggested that the corrosion is a weakly persistent process, dominated by the fractional Gaussian noise (fGn).

Vanadium (~450 nm) and V₂O₅ (~350 nm) were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering on an AM60 substrate to improve its degradation resistance in marine ambience. According to Raman and XPS analysis, the vanadium nanofilm mainly consists of amorphous ${\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$, while ${\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5$ comprises two sheets of $\mathrm{V}{\mathrm{O}}_5$ and $\mathrm{V}{\mathrm{O}}_4$ units. After 30 days of immersion of the coated AM60 in a marine model solution (SME), the shift of the pH of the SME to more alkaline values was less pronounced for ${\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5$-AM60 because of the HCl acid formation during the partial dissolution of ${\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5$ in the presence of NaCl, and thus, a higher concentration of ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}$ ions $~100 \mathrm{mg} {\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ was released from the Mg (AM60) matrix. The lower concentration of $~40 \mathrm{mg} {\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ from the V-AM60 surface was attributed to the possible intercalation of the released Mg ions (cations) into the conductive tunnels of ${\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ as the main component of the vanadium sputtered deposit. This oxide has been reported as a material for high-capacitive energy storage. In this way, the V-deposit provided longer partial protection for the AM60 surface (Mg matrix) from localized pitting attacks.

The surface of AM60 magnesium alloy was modified with Al-nanocoating ~65.62 nm, using DC magnetron sputtering to enhance its resistance to degradation under aggressive marine ambience. The sputtered Al film showed adhesion to the α-Mg matrix, covering the dispersed particles of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ secondary phase. The aluminum nanofilm was composed of (111) and (200) crystal planes of metallic aluminum (Al⁰) and Al₂O₃ (Al³⁺). After 30 days of immersion in a simulated marine environment (SME, pH 7.8), the Al-AM60 maintained a lower alkaline value (pH~8.13) of SME than that of uncoated AM60, attributed to α-Mg electrochemical oxidation to Al₂O₃ and its posterior dissolution, consuming OH⁻ ions. Consequently, the concentration of the released Mg²⁺ ions from the Al-AM60 surface was reduced ~2.3 times (~15 mg L⁻¹). The Rp (polarization resistance), as inversely proportional to the corrosion current, was extracted from the EIS impedance data fitted to an equivalent electrical circuit. After 30 days in SME solution, the Rp value of the Al-AM60 modified surface was ~3.5 times higher than that of AM60 (~15.46 kΩ cm²), confirming that the sputtered aluminum nano-deposit layer can hinder the corrosion process. These reported findings indicated that sputtered Al nano-coatings can mitigate the surface degradation of Mg-Al alloys in saline aggressive marine environments.

The need for improving drone systems becomes imperative. In order to enhance these systems, engineers are drawing from biological systems for inspiration to improve the overall endurance and flight characteristics of drones. One such organism, the Albatross, is studied and chosen to be the inspiration for a unique tilt-wing drone system. The aerodynamic characteristics of the Albatross wing are simulated and discussed. Additionally, a tilting actuation mechanism is researched, and different setups are considered. Several wings are created by hot-wiring foam into the desired airfoil shapes. Moreover, the fuselage is designed on Fusion 360. Important design choices are highlighted and discussed.