The results of new measurements of the yields of the 11B(p,γ)12C reaction of radiative capture to the ground and first excited states of 12C are presented. By normalizing these results to the corresponding experimental literature data, differential cross sections have been extracted for the angle 0° and for incident proton energies from 482 to 1337 keV. Based on the obtained differential cross sections and using literature data on the angular distributions of the 11B(p,γ)12C reaction in this energy region, the total cross sections and astrophysical S factors of the 11B(p,γ)12C reaction for transitions to the ground and first excited states of 12C have been determined with a statistical error of less than 10%. The experimental data obtained are well described within the framework of a modified potential cluster model with the classification of orbital states according to Young's diagrams and taking into account allowed and forbidden states. Based on the measured experimental cross sections and using the above theoretical model, the rate of this reaction was calculated in the temperature range from 0 to 100 million degrees of Kelvin. Within the limits of error, the results of this work are consistent with the data of earlier works.

The article addresses key functional database (DB) requirements for the effective storage, arrangement and analysis of scientific publications. Based upon the materials analyzed over the 30-year period of scientific activities of the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology and considering users’ interests, requirements for the functionality and structure of a database have been defined. As a result, a database was designed and developed using tools and technologies that ensured a secure interaction between a user and a server. The user interface created provides convenient tools for working with data. DB was found to be an efficient tool to analyze data since it has a wide range of functions enabling to carry out a variety of analyses: a possibility to retrieve data pursuant to specified criteria, sort it out by different parameters and select followed by the analysis. Thanks to these functions, users are able to carry out analytical activities efficiently, reveal regularities, tendencies and interrelations in data, which makes DB an indispensable tool in research and decision-making.

Energy is the basis of successful economic growth and society development in general. However, today Kazakhstan is experiencing a shortage of electricity and, according to forecasts, by 2029 it is expected to have more than 3 GW of electric capacity deficit. The introduction of nuclear generation is a perspective solution of electricity shortage issue. Therefore, the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) today is one of the key elements on the agenda of our country. In this regard, there is a need for an in-depth analysis and careful consideration of issues related to the NPP construction including financial planning and implementation.

Financial and economic modeling (FEM) is the most famous tool for forecasting, planning and management in business. Commonly, some analysis of business ideas begins namely with the FEM, and if the assessments show effectiveness of a business project, then a decision is made on detailed review and funding. It is common practice to construct a fairy complete FEM during feasibility study (FS) of an investment project, when the major design and construction concepts and structural and administrative measures (including financial schemes) have already been defined. Analysis of the model and assessment of financial and economic indicators using FEM allows making a decision on future project developments. In the case of a NPP construction project, where the specific capital costs for the construction of a two-unit station with a total capacity of up to 2.4–2.7 GW are about US$10–15 billion, the financial costs for a feasibility study developing can reach more than US$100 million, and it will take about 3 years to prepare a full feasibility study.

The proposed methodology is an express method for developing the FEM of NPP construction projects, which is sufficiently stable with respect to the statistical inaccuracy of some initial data, to determine the financial efficiency of NPP projects. The developed methodology can be used when comparing a large number of NPP construction projects with different initial data in order to quickly select several optimal ones for their detailed study. This paper is relevant considering the adopted course of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as many world’s rapidly developing countries, towards decarbonization of the energy sector and industry.

Currently, the obtaining and implementation of self-degradable, harmless to the nature of composite materials based on cellulose, allows to solve a number of environmental problems. In this regard, the number of raw materials sources from which cellulose can be obtained increases, the economic and environmental efficiency of its usage and the properties of the obtained cellulose can be studied. 
In this study, from sunflower husk (SFH)P63LE10 «Pioneer» (USA) using glacial acetic acid and based on acetic acid with 42% concentration peroxyacetic acid, process of obtaining microcrystalline cellulose comparatively was studied. As a result of the study, based on acetic acid with 42% concentration in combination peroxyacetic acid was determined, that yield of obtained MCC (MCC2) was 3,7%, and also quantity of α-cellulose was higher to 3,6%. However, the quality of the residual lignin was 24.02%, and the trace quantity of amorphous structure was determined by IR spectroscopy and XRD diffractometry. On the contrary, the yield and quantity of α-cellulose obtained MMC1 using glacial acetic acid in combination peroxyacetic acid is lower than MMC2, obtained product was different by high degree of purity and content of the ordered part of cellulose with crystallographic orientation of macromolecules.

In this work, the influence of alloying elements (nitrogen, manganese, copper, and tungsten) and neutron irradiation in the VVR-K reactor up to a maximum fluence of 2·1020 n/cm2 on the resistance to pitting corrosion of austenitic steel AISI 316 LN, subjected to provoking heating at temperatures in the range of 500-800 °C. It has been established that alloying with nitrogen and manganese significantly improves the corrosion properties of AISI 316 LN steel, and the addition of copper and tungsten reduces the resistance to pitting corrosion. It has been shown that provoking heating at temperatures from 500 to 800 °C with an interval of 100 °C worsens the corrosion resistance of steels in a non-irradiated state due to the formation of chromium nitrides and carbides, and the addition of copper reduces the degree of sensitization. According to the results obtained, it was established that neutron irradiation to a maximum fluence of 2·1020 n/cm2 of the studied steels after cold rolling and not subjected to provoking heating led to a decrease in the corrosion rate. Provoking heating at temperatures of 700–800 °C of neutron-irradiated samples of steels 211 L-213 L led to an increase in the corrosion rate, especially in steels alloyed with copper. Neutron irradiation greatly enhances the sensitization effect.

The possibility of determination of gold in 200 mg powder samples by INAA method with the use of pneumatic transport system RRC WWR-K has been studied. Gold-containing ore samples and tailings of its processing were studied. Irradiation modes for unified studies were worked out. Gold detection limits were determined for several research modes. The obtained results were analyzed. The given method can be successfully applied for disassembling and analysis of samples when carrying out researches of large batches of geological samples.

WWR-K (Water-Water Reactor - Kazakhstan) was restarted after a major modernization related to its conversion to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel and has been operating on LEU fuel since September 2016. The reactor, built in 1967, has been significantly modernized to meet modern safety requirements. This important neutron source in Kazakhstan serves various purposes, such as basic and applied research in physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, as well as for radiation treatment of materials and production of radioisotopes. It is also used for training. Instrumentation projects are planned to be launched on the basis of the WWR-K reactor to install a basic set of experimental stations. Significant efforts will be made to develop an ultracold neutron (UCN) source, which will expand research capabilities. For this purpose, it is proposed to use the niche of thermal column, a large diameter horizontal channel that allows irradiation of objects up to 1000 mm in size. In addition, the niche of thermal column has four radial channels that can be used to extract cold (10−6–10−3 eV) and very cold (10−7–10−6 eV) neutrons. The paper presents calculations of spatial and energy distributions of neutron and gamma fields for the current and for the additional moderator configuration of the niche of thermal column of the WWR-K reactor. It is shown that the configuration with additional moderator does not lead to an increase in the slow neutron fields (<1 eV), and the existing moderator thickness is optimal.

Tightening the requirements for methodological support for in-pile experiments determines the need to improve the quality of predicting parameters of irradiated experimental devices that are important from a safety point of view. To qualitatively predict the temperature of device elements during irradiation in the IGR reactor, this paper presents an analysis of the radiation heating mechanisms under the influence of neutron and gamma fields of the reactor. Calculations were conducted to determine the contribution of various neutronic processes to the resulting nuclear heating of samples of structural materials during their planned irradiation in the IGR reactor, and the volumetric distribution of energy release in samples of structural materials was determined.

Global climate change affects almost all spheres of human activity and the world ecosystem as a whole. Temperature rise, in particular, leads to accelerated melting of glaciers, which in turn leads to changes in the flow of glacier-fed rivers. This phenomenon inevitably affects the livelihood of settlements that use water from these rivers. Seismic and infrasound stations of the NNC monitoring network have been recording ground and air vibrations for many years. The accumulated database of instrumental observations contains information on climate changes in previous decades, such as the frequency and spatial distribution of glacial earthquakes. In this regard, it is proposed to analyze the changes in the glacier destruction regime based on the study of seismic and infrasound data obtained over the last two decades by the Kazakhstan monitoring network and to study the relationship of the found patterns with global climate change. This paper describes modern ideas about climate influence on mountain glaciers, general information about changes in the size and condition of glaciers in Kazakhstan. The possibility of using cryoseismology as a new tool for studying the dynamics of glacier changes is considered. The paper concludes with the results of the study of glacier dynamics using seismic methods in the Tien-Shan area according to the literature data.

System analysis was conducted to examine the atmospheric emissions from Russian nuclear power plants with various types of reactors during normal operation, as well as the emissions for design and beyond-design accident scenarios. Through many years of study, the main radionuclides that contribute to the total activity were identified. The composition of emissions from postulated accidents at the boiling water reactor (BWR) and pressurized water reactor (PWR) has been analyzed. The obtained results are considered as initial data for calculating the dose load on the population from NPP releases and formation of lists of the main dose-forming radionuclides. The necessary components of such calculations are models parameterized on regional data. Ranking in the system “radionuclide – environmental component” is considered as an important stage for developing the Regulation for Environmental Monitoring of the NPP location area.

The vacuum pulse arc plasma accelerator was designed especially for obtaining metal plasma streams also its performance under vacuum level variation in chamber was accurately explored. By using axial symmetric electrodes, the formation of firstly glow discharge after arc discharge has shown at the cathode and subsequent plasma acceleration with anodic potential. With a high vacuum level rate that equaled to 10−4 mbars, the plasma compression to the system axis and plasma electromagnetic pinch was clearly observed. Also presented installation accompanying the high-velocity stream generation process, that goes above the observed normal speed of the main stream. This work contains the discussion of plasma generation mechanisms and its features of acceleration, and conditions for receiving coverings at the unit under various vacuum levels. Designed unit presented on this work is characterized by its structure simplicity and almost effectiveness.

This paper presents the results of a metallographic and tribological study of 86WC-10Co-4Cr coatings obtained by the HVOF method on the Termika-3 unit at varying spraying distances. The influence of spraying distance on the coating microstructure, phase composition, as well as mechanical and tribological properties, was studied. The phase composition, microstructure and elemental distribution were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques. The hardness was measured on a Vickers microhardness tester, the friction coefficient and wear rate were investigated using a tribometer. According to the results of the study, it was found that the optimum spraying distance for 86WC-10Co-4Cr coatings with improved wear resistance and hardness characteristics and low porosity is 300 mm.

This study is devoted to studying the influence of plasma liquid-phase alloying on the physical and mechanical properties of the surface layer of tungsten and its alloys. Experimental samples of tungsten with copper and zirconium coatings were exposed to compression plasma flows (CPF). The elemental composition of the samples was determined by energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and lattice deformation and residual stresses were assessed using X-ray diffraction. The results of EDS showed that plasma exposure leads to the formation of a homogeneous alloy of tungsten and zirconium in a near-surface layer. Treatment of tungsten by CPF causes an increase in the level of lattice deformation. In the surface layer of W-CPF tensile stresses with a value up to 6 GPa were observed, while for the system alloyed with copper W-Cu, compressive stresses tending to zero were observed. For the W-Zr system, the maximum tensile stresses reached around 5–6 GPa. It has been established that the introduction of copper into tungsten significantly reduces the level of residual internal stresses compared to alloying with zirconium. The results obtained may contribute to the development of new tungsten alloys with improved performance characteristics for use in fusion energy and other fields.

This work is devoted to studying the effect of mixed W–C layers on the change in the surface morphology and structuralphase states of the tungsten surface layer under the influence of D plasma. Experiments on carbidization and plasma irradiation were carried out on a plasma-beam installation (PBI) at different ion energies and surface temperatures. Methane (CH4) was used as a working gas during carbidization, and deuterium was used for plasma irradiation. The effect of D plasma with an ion energy of 500 eV on the tungsten surface with mixed layers led to the destruction of carbide compounds at a temperature of ~1750 °C and further erosion of tungsten. However, at a temperature of ~900 °C, mixed layers based on two phases (WC and W2C) have a high resistance to deuterium action, as evidenced by an insignificant change in the phase content.

This paper presents the results of experiments on the production of hydrogen by methane pyrolysis using a microwave discharge at the PM-6 installation for applied research. For the first time, experimental results on the effect of installation parameters (microwave discharge power, gas ratio) on the efficiency of natural gas conversion to hydrogen have been obtained. The technology of hydrogen production using a microwave discharge, with a maximum methane conversion rate of up to 82% and hydrogen selectivity of up to 15%, has been implemented. The results of the conducted studies on hydrogen production from methane in an argon medium using a microwave discharge can be used in experiments on methane decomposition using catalysts to improve decomposition efficiency.

This paper presents the results of experiments on the research of gas release from graphite tiles in a KTM tokamak. The methodology of the experiment and the design of the experimental vacuum stand are described in detail. The dependences of the gas release from graphite tiles over time during their annealing to a temperature of 200 ℃ with constant pumping using a high-vacuum pump, simulating the annealing conditions in a KTM vacuum chamber, are presented. The work also includes a mass spectrometric analysis of the composition of the vacuum medium in the vacuum chamber of the experimental stand before heating and after cooling the vacuum chamber (VC). An analysis of experimental data is presented and estimates of the maximum residual pressure in the KTM VC are given.

Diabetes is one of the global healthcare problems requiring the development of reliable and accurate devices for monitoring blood glucose levels. In this study, a non-enzymatic sensor based on a modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) track-etched membrane (PET TeMs) was developed for the electrochemical detection of glucose. For the first time, membrane modification using mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) was applied to improve the adhesion of gold nanostructures and enhance the efficiency of the gold electroless deposition process. The modification significantly increased the sensor real surface area to 0.91±0.25 cm². Voltammetric measurements showed a linear dependence between the current density and glucose concentration in the range of 0.1 to 16 mM, with a detection limit of 0.058 mM for PET TeMs/MPTMS@Au sensors. The developed sensors demonstrate good sensitivity and high stability, broadening their potential application in biosensing.

This article presents results of dose loads on the natural population of sand lizards (Lacerta agilis Linnaeus) inhabiting under natural conditions of chronic exposure to various levels of ionizing radiation at the test locations of the Semipalatinsk Test Site. It was established that a sand lizard can be an essential indicator of radioactive contamination of biota at the STS sites with man-made radionuclides ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr. Calculations of dose loads on lizards indicate that at the different surveyed STS technical sites with historically various levels of radioactive contamination, depending on the type, yield and pattern of conducted tests, dose loads on lizards varies essentially. At the “Degelen” and “Balapan” technical sites, the bulk was formed solely due to external exposure to ¹³⁷Cs. At the “4A” site, where tests of radiological warfare agents (so–called “formulations”) were conducted at the time, the highest radiation dose rates for the sand lizard were recorded to be up to 2.2·10⁻² Gy/day. In addition, it is quite different from previous sites – only due to internal exposure to ⁹⁰Sr.

The paper presents findings of water resources of Beskaragai village, Abai region. Macro-, micro-component and isotopic compositions of waters, general chemical parameters were obtained. It has been established that the isotopic composition of waters (²H and ¹⁸O) varies widely and is characterized by a constant “light” isotopic composition of groundwater. The studied water samples are classified as fresh and slightly subsaline according to the degree of mineralization. By the acidity level – neutral and slightly alkaline. According to the degree of hardness – soft, medium hard and hard. The ion composition of waters of the hydrocarbonate – sulfate – chloride and sodium – magnesium – calcium group is dominant.