The paper presents the results of studies to substantiate the possibility of using a container for transfer of spent nuclear fuel after the short-term cooling. Spent nuclear fuel source-terms and energy release calculations, as well as thermal hydraulic calculations have been made to serve as the basis for further studies.

The proposed transport package is designed for transportation of recently discharged spent nuclear fuel with a high level of radioactivity. It is assumed that the use of this package allow transportation of up to 5 fuel assemblies from high-power reactors such as ABWR, AP1000, and VVER-1000.  

As a result of this study, the possibility of using a transport package for spent fuel assemblies after the short-term cooling is substantiated in terms of the thermal processes that occur within them. These processes impose specific restrictions on the container design.

This work is the first part of a comprehensive study aimed to substantiate the possibility of transporting spent fuel after the short-term cooling and develop requirements for the design of such transport packages. 

The paper presents the results of studies to substantiate the possibility of using a transport container for the spent nuclear fuel after short-term cooling. Calculations for radiation protection have been completed, nuclear safety has been justified, and the relevant accompanying neutron-physical processes have been studied. As a result, technical feasibility of using a transport container for spent nuclear fuel has been substantiated. The most acceptable option of a container for spent nuclear fuel is to be made of iron-concrete + uranium dioxide and cast iron + uranium dioxide with gas filling or with liquid filling of the absorber in a basket.

To achieve the set goal, methods of computer simulation modeling were used, calculations were conducted to justify radiation protection and nuclear safety under normal and emergency operating conditions, and neutron-physical processes accompanying spent nuclear fuel were studied. The work examined several options for materials for radiation protection, depending on their thickness and the fill of the spent nuclear fuel container.

This work studies the oxidation processes of zirconium alloys alloyed with niobium at high temperatures (900–1200 ℃). 
The objects of the study were samples of iodide zirconium, E110 and E125 alloys, and fuel rod simulators made of E110 alloy. The results showed differences in the oxidation kinetics for three groups of samples. Samples of iodide zirconium (group I) demonstrated a linear increase in mass with increasing temperature. Zirconium alloys with niobium (group II) showed a maximum increase in mass at 950–1000 ℃, after which oxidation slowed down. Fuel rod simulators (group III) oxidized in a similar manner to group II, but with a smaller amplitude of changes. The shape of the samples had a significant effect on the oxidation kinetics. Fuel rod simulators oxidized faster due to cracking of the oxide layer, which contributed to more intensive access of the oxidizing environment to the metal. The activation energy of oxidation for iodide zirconium (113 kJ/mol) and fuel rod simulators (59 kJ/mol) was experimentally determined. The work revealed the influence of the composition and geometry of the samples on the high-temperature oxidation process, which can be useful for the development of more oxidation-resistant materials for nuclear reactors, as well as for the reprocessing of spent fuel assemblies using the volume oxidation method. 

In a long-term laboratory experiment, an assessment was made of the direction of the influence of chemical pollution on CO₂ emissions from light and dark chestnut soils. Chemical contamination of soil samples was carried out with solutions of salts of potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and copper (II) sulfate crystallohydrate (CuSO₄×5H₂O) at doses of 1 and 5 MPC. CO₂ emissions were measured using a closed dynamic chamber method. It was found that artificial contamination with potassium nitrate and copper (II) sulfate increased the CO₂ flux from the surface of the samples of LC and DC soils in the range from 6 to 12%. depending on the contamination dose, exposure time, and soil type. It was found that the light chestnut soil is more sensitive to nitrate contamination, and dark chestnut soil is more sensitive to copper contamination. In general, the study of CO₂ emissions by regional soil types under conditions of chemical pollution requires a more detailed study to predict soil respiration in territories subject to anthropogenic pollution.

В работе представлены данные исследования влияния размерных факторов, обуславливающих изменение дислокационной плотности, а также фазового состава двухфазных литийсодержащих керамик на основе метацирконата лития на прочностные характеристики керамик, а также устойчивость к высокотемпературным испытаниям. В качестве факторов упрочнения при оценке прочностных свойств, а также устойчивости к температурным воздействиям рассматривались размерный эффект, дислокационная плотность и наличие межфазных границ, изменение которых обусловлено эффектом вариации фазового состава керамик. В ходе проведенных исследований было установлено, что изменение скорости перемалывания выше 400 оборот/мин приводит к более чем двукратному уменьшению размеров зерен, что в свою очередь увеличивает дислокационную плотность, изменение которой является упрочняющим фактором для повышения твердости и трещиностойкости. При определении прочностных характеристик было установлено, что изменение фазового состава за счет доминирования фазы Li₆Zr₂O₇ в составе керамик приводит к увеличению значений твердости и устойчивости к растрескиванию за счет увеличения межфазных границ, которые служат дополнительными барьерами для распространения микротрещин при внешних воздействиях. В ходе проведенных экспериментов по определению устойчивости к длительному термическому отжигу и тестов на термостойкость было установлено, что уменьшение размеров зерен менее 250 нм для всех трех типов исследуемых керамик приводит к увеличению устойчивости к деградации прочностных свойств за счет дислокационного упрочнения, а также наличия межфазных границ, которое наиболее проявлено для образцов с доминированием фазы Li₆Zr₂O₇ в составе керамик.

Modern studies demonstrate that two-dimensional nanomaterials hold great promise for various practical applications. At present, 2D materials are being actively investigated through colloidal synthesis in specialized formats, enabling the creation of materials with precisely defined structures and the enhancement of their functional properties. CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) exhibit high efficiency in light absorption and photoluminescence, making them suitable for applications in solar cells and optical devices. The synthesis of quantum-confined CdSe NPLs is carried out in colloidal solvents. The dependence of NPL photoluminescence on temperature and precursor injection has been studied. It has been established that with an increase in NPL thickness, their photoluminescence spectra shift to the longer wavelength region as the temperature rises. The study presents the dependence of precursor concentration in the reaction medium and the growth mechanism of NPLs. Additionally, the work explores the specifics of colloidal synthesis of CdSe NPLs, provides a detailed characterization of their properties, and substantiates the theory of nanostructure growth.

This paper presents the results of a study of the granulometric parameters, elemental and phase compositions of a solidified model melt of a nuclear reactor core (corium) obtained in out-of-pile conditions. The out-of-pile experiments are conducted in the EAGLE test-bench of the IAE NNC RK, which allows obtaining a melt of the burden from the components of the core and implementing its interaction with the coolant. To obtain the model corium of a fast neutron reactor, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) was used, and sodium was used as a coolant.

The results of the studies revealed the presence of three modifications of aluminum oxide Al₂O₃ in the phase composition of the solidified simulator. The main one is the α-modification (corundum), which is also the basic component of the initial burden. The appearance and regular distribution of other crystalline modifications of aluminum oxide is definitely a sign associated with the features of the processes occurring during the interaction between model corium and the coolant. Such features may be characteristic and extend to the actual melt of the reactor core, but may also be specific to the simulator used.

Experimental works aimed at studying tribological characteristics of MoCrN coatings have been carried out. Interest in such studies is primarily due to the prospect of using such coatings as anticorrosive protective coatings with high resistance to external mechanical effects, allowing to increase the resistance of steel to degradation processes during operation and high temperatures at which oxidation and amorphization processes are accelerated. The selection of optimal compositions of protective coatings allows to reduce wear resistance and degradation of near-surface layers of steel structures, as well as to increase their resistance to mechanical damage during friction. It is determined that the change of conditions of magnetron sputtering of MoCrN coatings, leading to a change in the ratio of elements in the composition of coatings, leads to the formation of structurally-ordered coatings, which in turn has a good correlation with the results of hardening and increasing resistance to wear. According to the obtained data, the change in the ratio of components, and as a consequence, the change in the ratio of crystalline and amorphous components in the composition of coatings leads to a decrease in the rate of wear, which indicates an increase in the resistance of coatings to external mechanical influences. The test results of coating samples in the case of assessing the resistance of coatings to temperature effects in the process of tribological tests showed an increase in the resistance of coatings due to the variability of changes in the elemental composition and degree of crystallinity.

This article presents the results of studies of the corrosion resistance of steel grades 65G and 45, which were subjected to electrolytic plasma hardening (EPH). The main objective of the study was to identify changes in the corrosion properties of steels depending on the type of environment: water, urea, superphosphate and ammonium nitrate. The study showed that after EPH, the corrosion rate of steel 45 decreased by 8 times compared to the original sample, reaching a value of 2.58×10−4 mm/year. For steel 65G, a significant improvement in corrosion resistance was also observed, especially in the environment of urea and superphosphate. The corrosion potential of these steels shifted to a more positive value, indicating an improvement in the protective properties of the surface. Polarization curves showed a decrease in the corrosion current for steel 45 before EPH in a solution of edible salt from 562.34 µA/cm² to 111.75 µA/cm² in urea, and to 132.67 µA/cm² in superphosphate. For steel 65G before EPH, the corrosion current in a edible salt environment was 67.23 µA/cm², decreasing to 57.28 µA/cm² in urea and to 60.73 µA/cm² in ammonium nitrate after the EPH process.. The results confirm that EPH significantly increases the corrosion resistance of the studied steels, which makes this treatment method promising for improving the durability of metal products used in aggressive chemical conditions.

This study investigates the elastic scattering of protons on the 7Li nucleus using the Full-Wave Method (FWM) within the framework of the optical model of the nucleus, which enables more accurate consideration of nuclear structure and interaction mechanisms. The calculations employ a microscopic folding potential based on the M3Y effective nucleon nucleon interaction, taking into account the nuclear density distribution. Theoretical computations are implemented in Python, using a 6th–8th order Runge–Kutta method to solve the Schrödinger equation. The results are compared with experimental data obtained at the Van de Graaff accelerator. This allows for refinement of the nuclear interaction parameters and the structure of the ⁷Li nucleus, as well as highlighting the necessity of including additional effects such as the imaginary part of the potential and an extended number of partial waves.

2D materials of the MXene family have attracted significant interest due to their multifunctional applications. MXene materials are derived from corresponding MAX phases, which are synthesized using various high-temperature methods (ranging from 1100 to 1450 ℃). Ti₂AlC is one of the representatives of MAX phases, from which the corresponding 2D material, Ti₂C, is obtained. The most common applications of Ti₂C include its use as an active electrode material for supercapacitors and as a matrix for hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts. In this work, we conduct a study on the synthesis of Ti₂AlC material, with multi-level optimization of the process to achieve the highest yield of the final product by mass. Based on the results of the study, the optimal synthesis temperature and time were determined to be 1350 ℃ and 2 hours, respectively. One of the distinctive features of this work is the use of precursors of Kazakhstan origin and the scaling up of the process (from 1 to 100 g of product), which will enable the commercial synthesis of Ti₂AlC material in the future. From the Ti₂AlC synthesized under optimal conditions, Ti₂C was successfully obtained and used as an electrode material for a supercapacitor, demonstrating electrochemical performance comparable to that of commercial Ti₂C.

The paper presents the results of using the method of liquid scintillation counting (LSC) for measurement of radon concentration in water. The optimal settings of separation of alpha- and beta-radiation, as well as the efficiency of radon registration for different types of scintillators have been determined experimentally. The method was tested on water objects located on the territory of Semipalatinsk test site (STS). The comparison with gamma-spectrometric analysis was carried out for validation of the LSC method, which showed their good agreement. The obtained results allow recommending the LSC method for radioecological monitoring of water objects.

YAG (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) is one of the important optical materials. It is widely used in solid-state lasers, lighting devices as a white LED converter, and in scintillation technology.

In this work, YAG (100) single crystals were irradiated with 230 MeV Xe ions to fluences of 6·10¹⁰–10¹³ ion/cm², which allows us to study the behavior of the material in hard radiation fields. The following research methods were used to analyze the irradiated YAG crystals: optical absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

Analysis of the absorption spectra shows the formation of color centers in the irradiated YAG samples. The concentration of various types of point defects increases significantly with increasing fluence. The difference spectra reveal overlapping bands in the range of 4.1–5.2 eV, which correspond to different configurations of F₂ centers. With increasing fluence, the surface layer becomes amorphous, and the material is amorphized. High-energy modes of Raman spectra begin to expand already at a fluence of 10¹⁰ ion/cm². Considering the high degree of influence of Xe ions, it can be stated that starting from a fluence of 10¹² ion/cm², all cation-anion bonds are practically destroyed.

The article studies the process of interaction of protons with the foils of the cyclotron target holder. The study was conducted using the SRIM calculation program, in which a three-layer model of the cyclotron target foil holder was created. The target was bombarded with 18 MeV protons at normal incidence, the number of protons was 300102. Nuclear reactions were not taken into account in the calculation. As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that for every 300100 protons that flew through the entire model, there were 2 backscattered protons. The results of the proton distribution along the calculation model and in the cross section at the end of the model are presented. The results of the conducted studies allow us to estimate the spatial and energy distribution of protons in the cyclotron target foil holder, which can be used to optimize the enriched water irradiation process by cyclotron operators. The obtained results can serve as a basis for further research aimed at assessing the fatigue level of target foils and developing recommendations for their replacement frequency during maintenance.

In this study, a systematic investigation of the structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of CuNiZ (Z = Al, Ga, Sb, Sn) half-Heusler alloys was carried out based on density functional theory (DFT). The obtained results confirm the dynamical and mechanical stability of these alloys and provide insights into their structural symmetry and bonding nature. The electronic structure analysis revealed that CuNiZ alloys exhibit metallic behavior, while the calculated elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio characterize their mechanical strength. Furthermore, the calculations indicated the dominance of ionic bonding in these alloys and confirmed their compliance with fundamental mechanical stability criteria. The CuNiAl, CuNiSb, and CuNiSn alloys were found to be mechanically stable, with their anisotropy coefficients and other elastic parameters determined. This study demonstrates that CuNiZ half-Heusler alloys are promising candidates for functional materials. In particular, their mechanical robustness and structural properties make them potential candidates for applications in thermoelectric and spintronic devices.

The article presents the results of the study of the content and distribution of Au and Ag in the available standard samples (CRMs.). The studies were carried out by the method of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for Au and Ag by multiple parallel small samples (mass 100 mg). In addition, by X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) on energy dispersive spectrometer the Ag content in large (7-10 g) samples was studied.

The results of statistical processing of parallel measurements are given, the convergence of the results for 100 mg suspensions separately for each defined element is studied. Comparison of used instrumental methods for determination of Ag is carried out. Quality control for each method is given.

The limits of application of these CRMs for use in the INAA method are determined.

MIL-101(Cr) is one of the most well-studied chromium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOF) consisting of a metallic chromium ion and a terephthalic acid ligand. The unique physicochemical properties of this MOF (ultra-high specific surface area, pore size, thermal and chemical stability, etc.) provide it with a wide range of applications in various fields of advanced materials science. Due to unsaturated Lewis acid sites in the structure, MIL-101(Cr) can be easily modified. In most cases, its derivatives demonstrate significantly improved characteristics compared to the pristine MOF. The review provides information on the practical application of MIL-101(Cr) in the adsorption of various compounds from aqueous solutions, gas storage and separation, and catalysis.

This research investigates the tribological properties and microhardness of Al₆₅Cu₂₀Fe₁₅ quasicrystalline coatings deposited on U8G tool steel using the high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) method. Special attention is given to the effect of air supply pressure (1.9 bar, 2.1 bar, 2.3 bar) on the wear resistance of the coatings. The research was conducted using the ball-on-disk method, while the microstructure was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The coating deposited at a propane pressure of 2 bar, oxygen pressure of 2.1 bar, and air pressure of 2.1 bar exhibited the smallest wear track width (902 µm) and a stable friction coefficient (μ ≈ 0.4), confirming its wear resistance. The Vickers microhardness of the coating reached 800 HV, indicating high strength. These findings highlight the potential of quasicrystalline coatings for use in high-wear environments, particularly in the aerospace, automotive, and mechanical engineering industries. The research aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically the "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure" initiative, by contributing to the development of wear-resistant coatings with enhanced performance characteristics.

Experimental studies of the process of fuel destruction at the IGRY reactor make it possible to obtain data on the processes occurring in the fuel assemblies of various types of nuclear reactors during severe accidents. One of the stages of severe accidents is the melting of nuclear fuel. One of the stages of severe accidents is the melting of nuclear fuel. In this paper, we consider the complex application of physical models of the ANSYS FLUENT software module to achieve explicit dynamic melting of elements of a fuel assembly. Computational studies are carried out on a two-dimensional model of an experimental reactor device. The calculation models «volume of fluid» and «solidification melting» are used, which allow modeling the movements of the liquid fraction of the elements of the fuel assembly. To set the energy release, a user defined function (UDF) of the Fluent module is used.

This paper discusses the setup and optimization of the DC-60 cyclotron operating mode for irradiating polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films with heavy krypton ions to create track membranes. The stages of accelerator tuning are described, including calculations of acceleration parameters and the adjustment of the radio frequency (RF) system for krypton plasma generation. Key parameters are considered, such as magnet current, inflector and deflector voltages, and beam characteristics at the accelerator output. Special attention is given to the beam transport and focusing system, and the optimization of irradiation conditions to ensure the required accuracy and reproducibility of experiments. The results obtained are important for the further development of ion-track modification methods for polymer materials and their application in various technological and commercial fields.

The article presents the design of a neutron beam shaping assembly designed for the horizontal beam of the WWR-K reactor and its description. The results of computational modeling by the Monte Carlo method of a neutron beam shaping assembly are presented. The effectiveness of the assembly in terms of neutron characteristics is shown and a comparative analysis of the compliance of the obtained characteristics with the recommended IAEA is given.

The article presents the results on content of natural radionuclides in various environmental objects (water, sediments, plants) collected from the ecosystem of nine small rivers in Ridder city. It has been revealed that in most cases the content of radionuclides does not exceed the standard values for radiation safety. The activity effective concentration for sediments and plants is calculated. The average value of the activity effective concentration of natural radionuclides in sediments was 107 Bq/kg, and in plants – 73 Bq/kg, which is lower than the value regulated by radiation safety standards, exceeding which may have a negative impact on living organisms.

This paper presents the results of the development and implementation of a database of strong motions recorded by the network stations operated by the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on an analysis of the key requirements for storing and processing seismic data, the paper describes an architecture for the database implemented using the PostgreSQL, along with an accompanying client application written with the Python programming language, and using additional libraries for processing and visualizing data. The functionalities that provide effective data management are described in detail. The significance and relevance of the developed database for solving seismic hazard assessment and earthquake engineering design tasks are substantiated. The paper also describes the future development of the database, including the expansion of the client application's functionality and its integration with other platforms.

Structures based on atomic thin carbon and created by combining two or more graphene-like materials with alternating oxide perovskites change the properties of the source materials and a material with new hybrid properties is formed, which in turn will be a prerequisite for the design of Functional Materials and nanostructures. Strong covalent bonds provide the surface stability of 2D crystals, and the connection between the different layers is mediated by Van der Waalst interaction.

Heterostructures based on carbon materials and nanostructured ferroelectric perovskites, including barium titanate, ferromagnetic (La_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃, SrRuO₃), alternating metal oxides are promising for the development of new multifunctional materials for memory cells, quantum computer elements, Li-ion battery anodes, photocatalysts, supercapacitors, transistors, sensor materials, solar cells, fuel cells, electrochromic devices.

The paper examines the influence of the density functional theory method on the structural and energy properties of the carbon mixture on the surface of BaTiO₃, which is theoretically important for catalytic purposes, in combination with the pseudopotential method of plane-waves in basis. Based on the theory of density functionality, the process of adsorption of barium titanate as a result of modification with carbon atoms with a gradual increase in concentration on a TiO₂ – terminating (001) surface, pure and doped with carbon atoms, was studied. The most effective locations on the TiO₂ – terminating (001) surface were the “top Ti” locations, and the state density was determined when the concentration of carbon was increased in the order of the graphene structure from 0.125 to 0.75 in the distribution of each TiO₂, and the width of the Forbidden Zone was reduced by 0.27−2 eV compared to the pure surface for the considered structures. The adsorption energy was −0.5 eV for atomic oxygen adsorbed near the energy efficient location defined for carbon on a clean surface, and −2.12 eV for Molecular. For atomic oxygen adsorbed on a carbon −doped surface, the adsorption energy was reduced by −0.2 eV, and for Molecular − by −0.4 eV.

The photoluminescent properties of BaFBr single crystals irradiated with xenon ions at a specific energy of 1.75 MeV/nucleon at a temperature of 300 K have been investigated. The crystals were grown using the Steber method, which allows for reduced oxygen impurity content. It was found that with an increase in ion irradiation fluence (F = 1·10¹⁰–1·10¹² ions/cm²), the photoluminescence intensity increases. The spectra revealed bands associated with various oxygen-vacancy centers, the presence of oxygen was also confirmed by elemental analysis performed on the BaFBr crystals. Decomposition of the spectra into Gaussian components enabled the identification of the contributions from specific types of oxygen-related defects. The results indicate the formation of color centers associated with bromine vacancies and a shift in luminescence maxima. This study contributes to the understanding of energy accumulation and relaxation mechanisms in BaFBr crystals.