Directed energy deposition (DED) is an additive manufacturing process wherein an energy source is focused on a substrate on which a feedstock material is simultaneously delivered, thereby forming a small melt pool. Melting, solidification, and subsequent cooling occur at high rates with considerable thermal gradients compared with traditional metallurgical processes. Hence, it is important to examine the effects of cooling rates on the microstructures and properties of the additive manufactured materials. In this study, after performing DED with various energy densities, we investigated the changes in the microstructures and Vickers hardness of cast Al-33 wt.% Cu alloy, which is widely used to estimate the cooling rate during processing by measuring the lamellar spacing of the microstructure after solidification. The effects of the energy density on the cooling rate and resultant mechanical properties are discussed, which suggests a simple way to estimate the cooling rate indirectly. This study corresponds to the basic stage of the current study, and will continue to apply DED in the future.

Subfossil remains of a new species of Cladocera (water fleas) of the family Chydoridae in Finland, Alona werestschagini Sinev, were found in the sediments of four lakes above the treeline in northernmost Finnish Lapland. The remains were found in surface sediments of three lakes and in early Holocene sediments of one lake where the species was a pioneer which soon disappeared. The remains of A. werestschagini, except the male postabdomen, closely resemble Alona guttata. In Eurasia A. werestschagini has a wide but patchy distribution in cold climates, suggesting that it is a postglacial relict adapted to cold climate and oligotrophic lakes. Recently it has been found also in Norway and Kola Peninsula. The early Holocene finds indicate that the species spread to northernmost Finland after the retreat of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet. Since the species has been found in lakes in very severe conditions it may be used as a palaeolimnological indicator in sediment studies.