- Статьи
- Science and technology
- Matter with meaning: electromagnetic brain protection and super-high-impact alloy
Matter with meaning: electromagnetic brain protection and super-high-impact alloy
Russian researchers have learned how to predict life expectancy with 99.7% accuracy, conducted initial tests of an electromagnetic device to protect the brain from injury, improved the technology for detecting defects in electronics using X-rays and created engines based on krypton, and in China they developed an alloy capable of withstanding temperatures of 2,400 degrees. Read more about the interesting science news of the week in the Izvestia collection.
New X-ray equipment will help to find defects in electronics faster
LETI has developed a new class of domestic collapsible X-ray tubes, which has no analogues in Russia. These X-ray sources provide highly informative images with ultra-high resolution that are not available for most existing X-ray diagnostic systems. The technology is particularly in demand in the field of industrial product control, as it allows detecting even the smallest internal defects. Today, such products are mass-produced in only a few countries. Domestic specialists have already started implementing a project to develop and transfer to production a domestic collapsible X-ray tube. According to the results of installation tests, the Russian device is not inferior in characteristics to the best foreign analogues.
In classic non-collapsible tubes, all structural elements are sealed in a special glass vacuum cylinder. Therefore, if its integrity is violated or any internal component of the structure fails, it must be disposed of. In collapsible tubes, a vacuum is created and maintained using a special pump. In case of a breakdown, they can be repaired quickly and put back into operation.
This development can be used in areas where high—precision non-destructive testing is required, for example in microelectronics - when checking printed circuit boards, microcircuits and other complex electronic components, says NTI expert on new materials and technologies Evgeny Vishnevsky.
— In my opinion, the market demand for such solutions is very high. Modern industry is increasingly moving towards miniature, complex and high—precision products, which means that the demand for high-quality X-ray monitoring systems will only grow," he said.
According to experts, such a development reduces dependence on imported solutions and creates its own base, without which sustainable development of high-tech production is impossible. However, it is too early to talk about a significant impact on the microelectronics market, until the reliability of the tube during long-term operation and the competitiveness of the system in real production conditions have been proven.
Electromagnets will help repair brain tissue after injury
Scientists from Saratov National Research State University, the P.A. Herzen Moscow Scientific Research Institute of Oncology, the Volga Research Medical University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, as well as several US universities have developed an electromagnetic device for first aid after injury. According to experts, under the influence of a pulsed electromagnetic field, the destruction of brain tissue slows down significantly, and the number of dead neurons is halved.
— It is important to note that it is necessary to stop the adverse effects immediately after a TBI, we performed the procedure within an hour after the injury, — said Alexey Trofimov, senior researcher at the Department of Human and Animal Physiology at SSU, an employee of the Volga Research Medical University.
The electromagnetic device for first aid has already been tested on laboratory animals. After additional research, it can become an essential tool for reducing the risk of adverse effects for people with traumatic brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries are one of the main causes of sudden death of people, and both primary injuries and further changes in blood flow in small vessels of the organ are dangerous. The capillaries stop feeding the brain normally, the protective tissue collapses, and the neurons die, and the violation of intracranial pressure makes it difficult to treat even with the latest drugs.
China has developed an alloy capable of withstanding temperatures of 2,400 degrees
Researchers from China have developed a tantalum-based alloy that can maintain high strength at a temperature of 2,400 degrees. This is significantly more than modern materials designed to work in extreme conditions, such as in the space and nuclear industries, can withstand.
According to experts, the new alloy can be used in the manufacture of nuclear reactors, rocket engine nozzles and other components of aircraft. Its ability to operate at ultra-high temperatures will make it possible to dispense with complex cooling systems and increase the efficiency of many mechanisms.
The alloy is currently undergoing the necessary tests in laboratories. To introduce it into industry, scientists need to prove that it can withstand multiple heating and cooling cycles while maintaining its properties, as well as test its resistance to oxidation and corrosion. In addition, mass production may be difficult due to the high price of tantalum. Its implementation will depend on the ability to reduce production costs without compromising performance, but with successful testing, tantalum alloy will take engineering design to a new level.
Krypton engines will accelerate the creation of multi-satellite groups
MAI specialists, together with scientists from MIPT, with the support of the National Technology Initiative Project Support Fund, have created a low-power plasma engine powered by krypton. The unit is designed for high-precision control of satellites in low-Earth orbits. After the start of operation in space, it will be able to work for up to seven years. Traditionally, xenon, a noble gas that is easily ionized and provides high thrust efficiency, is used as the working fluid for such engines. However, its use is limited by high cost and scarcity.
Krypton is an affordable alternative, it is produced in large quantities, while it is 5-10 times cheaper, but the ionization energy of this gas is higher, so it is more difficult to turn it into plasma.
— The development of plasma engines using the krypton working fluid is extremely relevant. In 2023, the Fakel Design Bureau tested this type of high-power engine. The MAI project makes it possible to apply similar technologies for small devices," commented Ivan Zubrilin, Director of the Engineering Center at Samara University named after S.P. Korolev.
Foreign companies are already creating and using similar engines.
— With the development of mega-constellations of satellites, finding a replacement for xenon is an important task. Krypton is an obvious alternative. It is closer in properties to xenon than other gases. It is the fastest way to adapt existing engines to work on it," said Igor Egorov, Head of the Laboratory of Plasma Jet Engines at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Chief Design Engineer at Star.
Currently, MAI is manufacturing a prototype of the installation and simultaneously testing individual components and structures. Work began in 2025. In parallel, engineers are creating control systems, power supply, storage and supply of krypton. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by the President of the Russian Federation.
The new model will begin to accurately determine life expectancy in Russia.
Scientists from Perm National Research Polytechnic University have created a model for calculating the age structure of society. Forecasts of its changes are necessary to determine the minimum amount of resources sufficient to provide affordable medical care and social services.
The existing developments are outdated and do not reflect the real demographic situation. Even modern neural network methods of data processing do not take into account the peculiarities of child mortality and the annual improvement in the quality of life, and the latest foreign developments in the Russian reality function inaccurately, since they do not provide for such a large difference in indicators between regions.
Researchers from Perm solved this problem. Their model is based on the basic principle of such developments: with age, the risk of death increases, while mortality itself ceases to be a constant value. It changes taking into account medical progress and indicators of life expectancy in childhood: in the first year, the risk of dying is really high, but then it decreases and reaches minimum values by the age of five. Thanks to this level of detail, the new forecasting model shows the result with an accuracy of 99.7%, which is correct for all ages, and not just for adults, as it was before. According to the developers, this will allow the authorities to receive more reliable information for decision-making and better plan budget allocation.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
