My very first research work has been initiated in 1980 as a project for my master degree done at the welding institute in Paris (France) on "a new Baumann microprints to detect microsulfurs in welds"

From 1980 to 1982, my first doctorate called "doctorat de 3eme cycle" has been conducted at the nuclear research center of Saclay (Paris's suburb). The title of the thesis was "corrosion resistance of a metallic amorphous alloy FeCrPC in sulfuric acid media, influence of chloride ions". It has been submitted on October 3rd 1982.

From 1982 to 1987, I have prepared my thesis for a Doctorate of Sciences degree. I have been in the same time recruited as a research assistant at the School of Engineers of Tunis (Tunisia). In January 1985, I returned back to France to work full time on my thesis till October 1987. The subject was "Microstructure evolution during thermal fatigue and thermal shock of a cobalt base alloy and a cobalt alloyed steel used as hard coating on hot rolling mills". The work was an ongoing project who has involved the Compiegne University of Technology with the French "Usinor-Sacilor". The thesis has been submitted on September 30 1987.

My post-doctoral year has been spent in Tunisia, back to the School of engineers of Tunis where I worked with a signal and system research team on the development of a quantitative metallographical method using the mathematical morphology.

As a director of the Laboratory of Metallurgy and Materials (LMM), I have been involved since 1994 in research programs with industrial partners that process and use steels. These programs, developed below, have mainly focused on surface engineering of steels in relation with their applications.

Duplex stainless steels (in French)- Research in this area includes the microstructure evolution of these steels as a function of mechanical surface treatments (sand blasting) and its relation with their corrosion resistance. This study has been developed with the contribution of the Tunisian Society of Electricity and Gas. Two graduate and two undergraduate students, 2 researchers has been involved in this program.

Tool steels (in French)- Hot working tool steels and high-speed steels are being studied. The effect of processing on final mechanical properties of these steels, and especially wear resistance is evaluated. The role of surface heat treatments: liquid nitriding, ion nitriding, induction hardening, on the latter property is the major topic on which the work has focused on. This has been also evaluated by the examination of the effects of surface treatments on the microstructure of these steels. This study is conducted in collaboration with the Materials Science Institute of the university of Paris 11, developed with a French-Tunisian society of heat treatments and supported by a French-Tunisian Cooperation Program. On the same topic a work was initiated with the "Advanced Steel and Processing Research Center" of the Colorado School of Mines where I spent 6 months in 1998. It focused on the influence of H13 tool steel processing (Powder Metallurgy and conventional metallurgy) on its ability to surface harden by laser. This work was acheived with Professor George Krauss of the CSM.

Since 1995, I have supervised a program on the development on PC of multimedia tools (in French) for metallurgical and materials engineering education. Three programs have been initiated: "The elaboration of steel and cast iron", "The Fe-C equilibrium diagram", " Fundamentals on arc welding", "Mechanical behavior of materials under uniaxial solicitations".

Archeaometallurgy is a passion more than a professional activity. It comes from a curiosity on all what ancient civilizations have left behind them. Using my professional skills in metallurgy, I have studied with archeologists ancient metals found in historical sites in Tunisia.

In September 1998, I immigrate in canada and in March 1999 I had a position in a Landing gear company (Héroux Inc. that became Héroux-Devtek in 2001)as a Materials and Processes specialist. I worked on the production and Repair & Overhaul of commercial aircrfat landing gear components (CL415, B757, B777,...) as well as Military (C-130, KC135, KC10, CF18, T45,...). I was involved in the design of new landing geasr for commercial BA-609 and LJ-45 as well military Global Hawk and UCAV. My involvement was in Quality, engineering and R&D. The main R&D programs that I have conducted were on the devlopment of a new coating to replace the hazardous chrome plating, and the development a new high-strength stainless steel to replace high-strength cadmium plated steels.

In May 2004, I quitted Héroux-Devtek and was hired by an engine company (Pratt & Whitney-Canada) to join the Development group in the Materials Engineering department. I work on the development of turbine disk materials as well as materials for mechanical components such as shafts and gear boxes components. I also work on the development of a new nanocrystalline cobalt-phosphor plating to replace hard chrome plating and I am involved in the development of new erosion coatings within an industry-university consortium.