Aluminium is widely used in electrical engineering due to its electrical conductivity and relatively low density. However, when developing new materials for electric vehicles and electrical equipment, it is important to consider not only electrical conductivity but also mechanical strength. Components must withstand mechanical stress while retaining their ability to conduct electricity efficiently and dissipate heat.

One way to improve the properties of aluminium is to add small amounts of other metals. The challenge is to find the right combination of elements so that increased strength does not come at the cost of a significant reduction in electrical conductivity.

MISIS researchers studied aluminium-based alloys containing nickel and one of five rare earth metals: yttrium, erbium, ytterbium, gadolinium or samarium. First, they examined cast alloys — materials produced by pouring molten metal into a mould and allowing it to solidify. The samples were then heat-treated to determine how heating affects the metal’s internal structure and properties.

As the alloy solidifies, tiny particles of compounds containing nickel and rare earth metals form within the aluminium. These particles affect the alloy’s mechanical properties, while their quantity, size and distribution determine how efficiently the material conducts heat and electricity. After heating at 605–620 °C for six hours, the structure changed: the particles grew larger and their distribution became more varied.

Following heat treatment, the alloys retained good thermal conductivity while demonstrating sufficient strength. This makes them promising candidates for the further development of cast aluminium alloys, including those intended for electric transport applications.

In a second study, the researchers continued their work by investigating how rolling affects the properties of the same alloys. This metal-forming process refined the material’s microstructure. The average size of intermetallic compound particles — compounds formed by different metals within the alloy — decreased from approximately 1–1.5 to 0.8–1.2 micrometres. These changes helped strengthen the material.

“The best results were obtained with alloys containing yttrium, erbium and ytterbium. Rolling followed by heat treatment increased their strength while preserving their ability to conduct electricity. This is important for developing strong aluminium alloys for use in electrical engineering,” said Maria Glavatskikh, Associate Professor at the Department of Non-Ferrous Metals Science at NUST MISIS.

Both studies demonstrate that the properties of aluminium alloys can be deliberately modified not only by selecting the right alloying elements but also by choosing the appropriate processing methods. For cast materials, achieving a balance between strength and thermal conductivity is essential, while rolling followed by heating offers opportunities to produce stronger alloys with high electrical conductivity.

“The results could provide a basis for further development of materials for electrical conductors and electric vehicle components. At this stage, however, these are promising alloy compositions studied under laboratory conditions. Further research is needed to investigate their properties and assess the feasibility of manufacturing finished products,” said Andrey Pozdnyakov, Associate Professor at the Department of Non-Ferrous Metals Science at NUST MISIS.

The findings were published in the scientific journal Journal of Alloys and Compounds (Q1). The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 22-79-10142-P).

GMI sensors are used across a range of industries: in industrial applications to measure position, speed, strain and temperature; in geophysics to explore for mineral deposits and detect magnetic field anomalies; in biomedicine to detect magnetic labels and nanoparticles; and in non-destructive testing to identify microcracks and defects in structures and metals.

Researchers from MISIS University, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, and the Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation of the Russian Academy of Sciences have extended the sensor’s operating temperature range through software-based processing of recorded data. A miniature temperature sensor is placed next to the magnetic sensor. A dedicated algorithm analyzes the temperature and automatically adjusts the measurement results to compensate for the effects of heating and cooling. The proposed mathematical model automatically corrects temperature-related errors, maintaining measurement accuracy across a broad industrial temperature range of −50°C to +80°C.

“The proposed solution relies on additional information about changes in ambient temperature and data showing how the GMI sensor’s readings vary as it heats up or cools down. Each device is first calibrated to determine exactly how temperature affects its performance. During subsequent measurements, the algorithm automatically accounts for these changes and corrects the results. This significantly reduces the impact of temperature-related errors on measurement accuracy,” Sergey Gudoshnikov, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor in the Department of Non-Ferrous Metals and Gold at MISIS University.

Without algorithmic correction, temperature changes had a substantial effect on measurement results. After the mathematical model was applied, temperature-related error decreased by more than a factor of 80, and the readings remained virtually unchanged even under significant heating. The findings have been published in the scientific journal Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (Q2).

“The proposed algorithm requires little computational power and can run even on compact microcontrollers. This makes it easier to integrate into existing measurement systems and well suited to technical applications where minimizing device size and weight is particularly important,” Vadim Tarasov, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Head of the Department of Non-Ferrous Metals and Gold, and Director of the Center for Industrial Technology Engineering at MISIS University.

The researchers plan to extend the temperature range used for calibration. With further optimization, the method could deliver high measurement accuracy across a temperature range of −50°C to +100°C, significantly expanding the potential applications of these sensors under real-world operating conditions.

The research was carried out as part of the development program for MISIS University’s Engineering Technology Center, focusing on priority areas of scientific and technological development (Agreement No. 075-15-2025-570), and the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s Priority 2030 program.

The potential applications of photonic chips are wide-ranging. They include optical processors for accelerating matrix multiplication—the core operation behind neural network training and inference; rapid disease diagnostics based on spectral light analysis; ultra-high-speed data transmission through optical fiber; compact solid-state LiDAR systems for autonomous vehicles; quantum key generation and distribution for secure quantum communications; and highly accurate optical sensors for industry, environmental monitoring, and agriculture.

“To control light on a chip, we studied phase-change materials that can switch their state under short laser pulses. Depending on the state, the material has either an ordered crystalline structure or a disordered amorphous structure, with dramatically different refractive indices. After laser exposure, the material retains its new state, making it suitable for information storage,” Grigory Goltsman, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Chief Research Fellow at the NTI Quantum Communications Competence Center at MISIS University.

Researchers from MISIS University, MIET, MPSU, Technological Center R&D Company, HSE University, and the Russian Quantum Center compared five compositions based on different germanium-antimony-tellurium semiconductor compounds and identified the most promising candidates. All materials were deposited onto identical silicon nitride waveguides—the structures that guide light through a chip. This approach made it possible to compare the intrinsic properties of the materials without changing the device design itself. The key factors were how strongly each material altered light transmission and how quickly it could switch between states. The detailed findings were published in the journal Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing (Q1).

“The results could change if waveguides made from other materials, such as silicon-on-insulator, or laser pulses with different wavelengths are used, so each material requires additional optimization. Our findings show that a material’s composition directly determines how well it performs for on-chip light control. At the same time, no single parameter is enough—you have to consider the signal modulation, switching speed, and the size of the material cell on a silicon nitride waveguide,” Alexey Prokhodtsov, Research Engineer at the Photonic Gas Sensors Laboratory at MISIS University.

The study could provide the foundation for developing photonic devices with non-volatile memory—systems that retain stored information without a continuous power supply.

“In the future, these technologies could be used in photonic computing and devices capable of storing and processing information with light. Before practical deployment, however, the selected materials must still be tested for durability, operational stability, and long-term state retention. This research is being carried out as part of MISIS University’s strategic technology project Quantum Internet under Russia’s Priority 2030 program,” Alexey Nevzorov, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Research Fellow at the NTI Quantum Communications Center at MISIS University, Priority 2030 postdoctoral researcher.

The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 23-79-00056) and the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Projects No. FSME-2025-0002 and No. FSMR-2024-0004).

Permeability indicates how easily gas or liquid can flow through rock. This parameter is particularly important for coal seams, as it determines how effectively methane can be removed before mining begins and during extraction. Inaccurate permeability estimates can reduce degassing efficiency and increase the risk of hazardous gas-dynamic events in mines.

However, a coal seam cannot be treated as a uniform material. It contains pores and a network of natural fractures known as cleats. Gas flows primarily through these fractures. As the stress acting on the coal increases, the fractures may close, reducing permeability. When the load decreases, they may open again. Coal is also affected by its interaction with gas: during gas adsorption, the coal matrix swells, while desorption causes it to shrink.

To determine how these processes should be accounted for in calculations, researchers from NUST MISIS, together with experts from the Geophysical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences and SUEK-Kuzbass JSC, examined five existing permeability models. Some primarily account for the compression of pore spaces and fractures, while others consider changes in coal properties during gas adsorption and desorption, porosity, or the mechanical characteristics of the rock.

“There is no universal model that is equally suitable for all coal seams. The choice should depend on the depth of the seam, the range of applied loads, the structure of the fracture network, the gas content of the coal, and the nature of its deformation. This approach makes it possible to account for the actual characteristics of a specific rock mass rather than applying the same relationship under different conditions,” said Konstantin Kolikov, Head of the Department of Mining Safety and Environmental Engineering at NUST MISIS.

To compare the models, the researchers carried out a series of numerical simulations. They examined effective stresses ranging from 0 to 50 MPa and depths of up to 1,500 metres. They also assessed the sensitivity of the models to changes in key parameters, including porosity and deformation caused by interactions between coal and gas.

The results showed a consistent trend: coal seam permeability decreases nonlinearly as the load increases. In the simulations, the most pronounced decline occurred at effective stresses of approximately 5–15 MPa, when natural coal fractures close actively. At depths exceeding 1,000 metres, changes in permeability become less pronounced as the deformation potential of the fracture network gradually diminishes.

The researchers found that the Seidle model is best suited to situations in which sorption-induced coal deformation needs to be taken into account. The Palmer—Mansoori approach can be applied to deep seams where changes in porosity are significant, while the Karkashadze—Khoutiev model makes it possible to account for the influence of the rock mass’s elastic properties. The findings are described in the journal Mining Science and Technology (Q1).

The results can be used to develop 3D models of coal deposits for assessing degassing efficiency, predicting gas behaviour within coal seams, and selecting drainage well parameters. According to the authors, choosing the appropriate model can reduce uncertainty when designing degassing systems and help engineers make better-informed decisions about the placement and operation of degassing wells.

The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 23-19-00398).

Muons are elementary particles produced in the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere through interactions with cosmic rays. They can travel through substantial thicknesses of matter. The density of a material affects the proportion of muons that pass through an object: the denser a section is, the more strongly it attenuates the particle flux. By detecting muons, researchers can obtain information about the internal structure of various objects. Scientists at NUST MISIS propose applying this principle to diagnose distillation columns — large industrial installations used to separate crude oil into individual fractions. Unlike conventional gamma scanning of distillation columns, muography requires neither radioactive sources nor production shutdowns.

“To inspect equipment using muography, we install autonomous detectors on the outside of the columns. These detectors consist of nuclear emulsion plates. During the exposure period, the detectors record muons passing through the equipment. The plates are then developed and scanned, and the resulting data are processed using specialized software. By analyzing the distribution of detected particles, we can reconstruct the object’s internal structure and assess the condition of the column’s internal contact devices,” said Natalia Polukhina, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics and Lead Expert at the MegaScience Infrastructure Collaboration and Partnership Center at NUST MISIS.

The researchers have developed the detector design, measurement procedures, and software tools for processing the collected data. At the next stage, the team plans to create a complete solution for the regular monitoring of industrial equipment and launch a diagnostic service for oil refineries based on this technology. The service will cover measurements, data processing, and the preparation of assessment reports. Client-facing software is also being developed to enable customers to submit requests, track inspection work, and maintain records of previous measurements.

“Emulsion detectors require neither an external power supply nor an artificial radiation source, and all components of the detector system are manufactured in Russia. Once a sufficient volume of data has been collected and processed, the customer receives the inspection results and a diagnostic report. Muography can help identify signs of stagnant zones and mechanical defects in distillation columns. This information can be used by a facility’s technical teams to assess equipment condition and determine whether maintenance or repairs are needed,” said Yulia Krasilnikova, project lead and Head of the Research Administration at NUST MISIS.

The proprietary technology builds on years of research by specialists from NUST MISIS and the P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (LPI RAS). Previously, the researchers used muography to study cultural heritage sites, investigate the internal structure of large industrial facilities, and address challenges in petroleum geology. In 2025, a joint team from NUST MISIS and LPI RAS, working with specialists from Tatneft, delineated a section of a bituminous sandstone deposit in the Republic of Tatarstan. The experience gained provided a foundation for further adapting the method to industrial equipment. Applying the technology at the operating Moscow Oil Refinery marked one of the team’s first projects at industrial facilities.

Bone defects can occur following severe fractures, diseases, or surgical procedures. When the damaged area is extensive, the body’s natural regenerative capacity may not be sufficient to restore it fully. In such cases, doctors use osteoplastic materials — specialized substitutes that fill the defect and create conditions for new bone tissue to form.

One of the most widely used materials in this field is hydroxyapatite. Its composition closely resembles the mineral component of bone, making it a suitable basis for biomaterials. However, existing materials have several limitations, including insufficient mechanical strength, low porosity, and slow dissolution rates. Another challenge is the lack of antibacterial activity, which is particularly important when treating areas at risk of infection. In addition, manufacturing some materials requires considerable time and energy.

Scientists at NUST MISIS have proposed addressing these challenges with granules in which some of the ions that form the crystal structure of hydroxyapatite are replaced with strontium and silver ions. This modification makes it possible to influence several material properties simultaneously.

“Silver is known for its antibacterial properties, but excessive amounts can harm not only bacteria but also the body’s own cells. It is therefore essential to determine the right concentration of silver to achieve the desired antibacterial effect without damaging healthy tissue. Strontium, in turn, is a trace element found in bone tissue and plays an important role in osteogenesis. By combining these two elements in the new material, we aim to achieve antibacterial activity while improving osseointegration — the ability of a material to interact with bone tissue and become integrated into it,” said Ekaterina Chikanova, PhD in Chemistry and Associate Professor at the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry at NUST MISIS.

The granules are more than just hydroxyapatite powder: they are a material with a defined structure that allows its properties to be controlled. By adjusting the composition and production conditions, researchers can regulate porosity, mechanical strength, and the rate of dissolution in the body. Laboratory tests have shown that the material dissolves over a period of at least three weeks.

The porous structure allows fluids to penetrate the material and interact with cells, while the granules retain sufficient strength and effectively fill bone defects. This makes it possible to combine several essential characteristics in a single material: strength, porosity, and controlled resorption. The production process is also relatively simple. The researchers are optimizing the composition and drying conditions to ensure consistent material properties and enable production to be scaled up. The research findings have been published in the scientific journal Inorganic Materials.

“The development is intended for use in traumatology, orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery, and dentistry. The next stage of the project involves producing a prototype of the granular material and further evaluating its properties,” said Kirill Kucheryaev, co-author of the development and a postgraduate student at the Department of Functional Nanosystems and High-Temperature Materials at the NUST MISIS College of New Materials.

According to Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS, the university’s researchers are shaping a relevant scientific and educational agenda in biomedicine under the national Priority 2030 program. They are developing materials and technologies designed to improve the quality of life for millions of people and accelerate treatment in complex medical cases.

In the future, the technology could provide a basis for domestic production of osteoplastic materials with controlled properties. The researchers highlight several key advantages of the development, including low production costs, scalability, a controlled resorption rate, antibacterial properties, and the potential to accelerate osseointegration.

Modern artificial intelligence systems are rarely trained “from scratch.” Much more often, a model is first trained to perform one task, and the knowledge it has acquired is then used to solve another. This transfer can significantly reduce training time and the amount of data required. However, it is often impossible to determine in advance whether a model will retain its accuracy after such a transition.

A NUST MISIS researcher has proposed a mathematical solution to this problem. He developed a theorem that describes the conditions under which knowledge can be reliably transferred between machine learning models. Unlike traditional methods based primarily on experimental testing, the new approach makes it possible to obtain a formal mathematical proof that the transfer will be correct.

The work is based on mathematical logic, a framework widely used to verify the correctness of complex computer systems. The researcher adapted it to artificial intelligence tasks by linking the knowledge transfer process to Hoare logic, one of the best-known methods of formal program verification. This makes it possible not only to evaluate model performance experimentally, but also to prove the conditions under which the model will retain its properties after being trained on new data.

“The proposed mathematical framework could serve as a foundation for developing more reliable AI systems, particularly in areas where errors are unacceptable, such as medicine, industry, robotics, and autonomous transportation. In the future, the method could be used to verify algorithms before they are deployed in real-world systems, making artificial intelligence technologies more predictable and safer,” said Nikita Yuryevich Nikitin, a researcher at the College of New Materials at NUST MISIS.

Detailed results of the study have been published in the journal Scientific Reports (Q1). The research was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 23-73-00131).

During an X-ray examination, some of the radiation passing through the body’s tissues is scattered, creating background interference that reduces image contrast and can obscure fine details. Special anti-scatter grids are used to minimize this effect. Traditionally, such filters are made of lead, but the material’s low mechanical strength and manufacturing challenges mean they must have a certain shape and be relatively thick. As a result, the structures absorb some of the useful X-ray radiation, often making it necessary to increase the radiation dose to obtain a high-quality image.

Researchers at NUST MISIS, the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Kurchatov Institute Research Centre, and Moscow Polytechnic University have proposed using 3D printing to manufacture tungsten grids with a new design featuring converging channels. Unlike conventional structures with parallel partitions, the channels in the new filter are aligned with the direction of the X-ray beam. This allows the grid to block scattered radiation more effectively while barely weakening the primary X-ray beam. Tungsten’s high density also made it possible to create partitions three times thinner than those of comparable designs, further reducing the absorption of useful radiation while maintaining effective suppression of scattered photons.

“We successfully produced a thin-walled grid structure using selective laser melting of micron-sized tungsten powder. This approach makes it possible to significantly reduce the thickness of structural elements and create the geometry required for the beam of a specific X-ray system. We then tested the grid under conditions close to those of real diagnostic imaging. X-ray images were taken using a model of the human pelvic region, with special test markers placed at points that needed to be distinguished in the image. Without the filter, the image consisted largely of background noise, and the shadows of the markers were barely visible. With the grid in place, however, they could be clearly seen,” Stanislav Chernyshikhin, Head of the Additive Manufacturing Laboratory at MISIS University.

To assess the tungsten grid’s performance under more challenging conditions, the researchers placed a layer of acrylic glass in front of the pelvic model to simulate human tissue. Without the grid, the test markers were almost completely lost in the noise, whereas with the filter, they remained clearly distinguishable. Detailed results of the study were published in the journal Bulletin of the Lebedev Physics Institute.

“Another challenge was ensuring that the filter itself did not interfere with image acquisition, since even thin partitions leave their own imprint on the image. We demonstrated that this shadow can be removed through digital processing using the fast Fourier transform without any loss of diagnostic information. The same approach is used with conventional lead filters,” Igor Dyachkov, an engineer at the MegaScience Infrastructure Cooperation and Partnership Center at MISIS University.

According to the researchers, the benefits of a thinner grid will be particularly noticeable when examining dense areas of the body, where scattered radiation causes the greatest image distortion. These are precisely the scenarios that pose the greatest challenges in clinical practice.

“Supporting universities is not charity for us; it is about building a long-term technology partnership. We see the NUST MISIS Endowment Fund as a flexible tool that enables us to quickly invest in breakthrough engineering solutions while avoiding bureaucratic barriers. This approach to managing the endowment makes cooperation with the university truly productive and future-oriented,” said Dmitry Zauers, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprombank.

The contribution is one of the largest in the Fund’s history and underscores the long-standing partnership between the bank and the university, united by a common goal of supporting science and education.

Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS, said: “Over 15 years of active work, the NUST MISIS Endowment Fund has supported around 200 projects totaling more than RUB 150 million. Today, our Fund ranks among the top 10 university endowments in Russia by size and among the top five in terms of development dynamics. Our donors are primarily academic and industrial partners, friends of NUST MISIS, as well as alumni from different years who have achieved professional success and returned to their alma mater to support a new generation of students and researchers. The contribution from Gazprombank, our key business partner, will help the university support researchers who are shaping the current scientific and educational agenda.”

For the first time, the NUST MISIS Endowment Fund has received an opportunity to finance scientific research in the form of grants, marking a transition to a new model in which the endowment serves as a launchpad for technology projects.

Fedor Senatov, Head of the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS, noted: “Part of the funding will be used to modernize the Institute’s technological infrastructure in the organ-on-a-chip field. We will expand our capabilities in developing microfluidic systems and improving long-term cultivation technologies for several types of cells, enabling us to reproduce the properties of tissues from different organs. The development of these competencies has already significantly increased the interest of industrial partners in joint research.”

Research in the field of additive manufacturing of metal products will also receive support. A team from the College of Materials Science, Additive and Scalable Technologies at NUST MISIS, together with M-Shape, will develop extrusion 3D printing technology for metal-filled polymers. This approach makes it possible to produce parts without melting the metal, which is particularly important when working with brittle and refractory materials, and opens up new opportunities for medicine, mechanical engineering, and the oil and gas industry.

“The contribution from Gazprombank will enable us to deepen our research into extrusion 3D printing technology for metal products, which expands the possibilities for manufacturing parts from materials that are difficult to process using conventional methods. Together with M-Shape (‘М-Шейп’), we are improving every stage of the technological process, from developing the material composition to optimizing printing and sintering parameters, as well as studying the properties of the resulting samples. This technology has significant potential for applications in power engineering, the chemical and oil and gas industries, as well as in the production of medical equipment,” said Alexander Komissarov, Head of the College of Materials Science, Additive and Scalable Technologies at NUST MISIS.

The NUST MISIS Endowment Fund was established in 2011 to provide long-term support for the university’s strategic initiatives. As of May 2026, its assets amount to RUB 731 million.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease in which joint cartilage gradually deteriorates and inflammation develops. Today, nearly 600 million people worldwide live with this diagnosis.

“Materials and technologies in biomedical engineering developed by scientists at NUST MISIS are being successfully introduced into medical practice and can significantly improve the quality of life of many patients. At our university, we have developed a prototype of a sustained-release hydrogel based on alginate and sodium hyaluronate for the local treatment of osteoarthritis, one of the most common degenerative joint diseases. The innovative technology delivers an anti-inflammatory drug directly to the affected area of the joint and gradually releases it over a period of two weeks. This eliminates the need for repeated procedures and accelerates treatment,” said Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.

Current treatment is primarily symptomatic. At the same time, most drugs have a short-term effect or may negatively affect the entire body, potentially causing side effects. Although existing intra-articular injections deliver medication directly to the site of inflammation, their effects are also limited in duration.

Researchers at NUST MISIS have proposed an alternative approach — an injectable system in which the hydrogel components are administered directly into the joint, where they mix and form a gel matrix. The matrix retains the drug at the site of inflammation and gradually releases it over an extended period. The material is based on two natural polymers — alginate and sodium hyaluronate. The former forms a strong gel structure, while the latter is a natural component of synovial fluid and helps maintain its cushioning properties.

“We developed a two-component delivery system. Before injection, its components are kept in separate syringes and are mixed directly in the joint during administration. As a result, a hydrogel is formed that fills the injection site, retains the drug and gradually releases it. We selected the material composition so that the gel could form immediately after injection while maintaining the required mechanical properties,” said Dmitry Voytsekhovsky, co-author of the study and a graduate of the Engineering Biotechnology program at the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

As an anti-inflammatory agent, the researchers used ibuprofen. Experiments showed that the hydrogel initially releases part of the drug rapidly, helping to suppress inflammation promptly, and then gradually releases the remaining amount over approximately two weeks. This makes it possible to maintain a therapeutic concentration of the anti-inflammatory compound in the joint area without the need for frequent repeat injections.

“We tested the safety of the new material in vitro using human cell cultures. The hydrogel showed no toxic effects on connective and cartilage tissue cells, confirming its cytocompatibility. In addition, in combination with ibuprofen, it promotes the transition of immune cells — macrophages — into a state associated with suppression of inflammation and tissue repair. Compared with the control group, the magnitude of this effect increased more than tenfold, confirming the anti-inflammatory properties of the developed system,” said Ekaterina Kuvshinova, leading expert of the research project at the Scientific and Educational Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at NUST MISIS.

The findings could provide a basis for developing new approaches to the treatment of degenerative joint diseases. In the future, the technology could make osteoarthritis treatment more effective, reduce the overall drug burden on the body and improve patients’ quality of life.

The research contributes to the objectives of NUST MISIS’ strategic technology project “Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials”, implemented under the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s Priority 2030 program.

When the body repairs damaged tissue, inflammation develops at the wound site. However, if this process is prolonged, excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species — chemically active molecules capable of damaging cells — accumulate in the tissues. This condition is known as oxidative stress. It is considered one of the key causes of delayed wound healing, particularly in chronic skin injuries.

To address this problem, a team from the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS developed a hydrogel system based on sodium alginate, a natural polymer derived from brown algae. Dendrimers were used to stabilize the structure and serve as molecular containers for delivering the active component. As the antioxidant agent, the researchers used a metalloporphyrin capable of mimicking the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which protects cells from excessive levels of reactive oxygen species.

The developed system combines the functions of all its components. Dendrimers ensure efficient loading of the porphyrin and protect it from premature degradation, while the hydrogel matrix provides conditions for its gradual release directly at the site of injury. The study showed that most of the antioxidant is released in a controlled manner during the first 24 hours. This mechanism is particularly important during the early stages of wound healing, when cells are most vulnerable to oxidative stress.

The researchers confirmed the stability of the system and the effective incorporation of the antioxidant component into the material. In addition, the hydrogel maintained its structural integrity over an extended period and demonstrated the properties required for use in modern medical coatings.

“Biological tests were conducted on human skin cells. The results showed that the material had no toxic effect on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, the main cells involved in the regeneration of skin tissue. Their viability remained high even after several days of contact with the hydrogel,” said Nikita Yabbarov, Associate Professor at the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

After confirming the material’s biocompatibility, the researchers evaluated the functional activity of the hydrogel under conditions of artificially induced oxidative stress. The experiments showed that the system significantly reduced excessive levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. This also confirms the ability of the developed formulation to protect cells from oxidative damage.

“Another important result was the material’s effect on immune cells — macrophages. They play a key role in wound healing: some types promote inflammation, while others, on the contrary, contribute to tissue repair. The developed hydrogel stimulated the transition of macrophages to a pro-regenerative state, which is associated with the formation of new tissue and the resolution of the inflammatory process,” said Darya Zinovieva, co-author of the study and a student at the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

Fedor Senatov, Director of the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS, said: “The results allow us to consider the new hydrogel system as a promising platform for developing advanced biocompatible wound-healing coatings. In the future, the technology could form the basis for materials designed to restore skin and mucous membranes where it is necessary to simultaneously control inflammation, protect cells from oxidative damage, and stimulate natural regenerative processes. It is particularly important to note that this undergraduate thesis was carried out at the level of a serious scientific study. The research topic and its relevance were driven by the partners of our university within the Health Engineering consortium, established at the initiative of MISIS as part of the Priority 2030 program.”

Neutral atoms are among the most promising platforms for implementing qubits, and interest in this technology continues to grow. Recently, Google Quantum AI also launched research in this area. To enable interactions between qubits, atoms are temporarily excited into highly excited Rydberg states, which dramatically enhance the interaction strength. But only over short distances. Two distant qubits cannot interact directly, so operations between them must be performed through a chain of intermediate atoms. Since each additional operation introduces a certain probability of error, and the chain length increases proportionally with processor size, the overall computational accuracy decreases. As a result, the probability of successfully executing a logical operation drops exponentially as the number of qubits grows.

“Existing neutral-atom quantum processors resemble a city where you can only talk to your nearest neighbor. To send a message across town, it has to be passed from person to person, with the meaning becoming slightly distorted each time. We have proposed a scheme in which the number of operations is fixed and does not depend on the size of the system. In other words, the information bypasses unnecessary intermediaries and reaches its destination without degradation,” said Ivan Dudinets, Research Fellow at the Russian Quantum Center.

The researchers divide qubits into two categories. Computational qubits remain fixed in a static array of optical tweezers throughout the computation. Messenger qubits, which are special mobile atoms, transport quantum information between any two computational qubits. A messenger atom approaches the first qubit, acquires its quantum state, moves to the second qubit, and performs the required quantum operation. The messenger can then either be discarded or reused.

The proposed concept includes five different architectures, distinguished by the way messenger atoms are transported. These include conveyor-belt schemes using moving optical traps, a free-flight approach in which atoms travel ballistically before being recaptured, and hybrid architectures combining routing strategies with quantum teleportation. The full results have been published in the leading international journal Physical Review A.

“All five architectures solve the same fundamental problem. The difference lies in how the messenger qubit is transported. In conveyor architectures, the atom travels inside a moving optical trap. In free-flight schemes, it is launched like a projectile and interacts with qubits while in motion. Hybrid architectures employing quantum teleportation reduce the number of operations by measuring the qubit directly during computation. At present, the bidirectional conveyor architecture appears to be the most experimentally feasible, since all of its essential components have already been demonstrated. However, it also requires the largest number of operations and is therefore the most sensitive to the fidelity of physical gates. We see strong potential for its experimental implementation,” said Alexey Fedorov, PhD, Head of the College of Physics and Quantum Engineering at NUST MISIS.

The research was supported by Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation under the Quantum Computing Roadmap (Agreement No. 868-1.3-15/15-2021, dated October 5, 2021). The work carried out at NUST MISIS was conducted within the framework of the strategic technological project “Quantum Internet” under the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s Priority 2030 program.

Nickel—titanium alloy is notoriously difficult to machine, and manufacturing components from it typically requires numerous additional processing steps. As a result, increasing attention is being paid to additive manufacturing technologies, particularly laser-based 3D printing using metal powders.

Researchers from NUST MISIS and the P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences investigated how laser-printing parameters affect the properties of nickel—titanium alloy. To do this, they produced thin-walled specimens using the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) process, in which a laser selectively melts metal powder layer by layer. The team varied laser power and scanning speed to determine how these parameters influence the material’s structure and functional behavior.

“For several decades, NUST MISIS has been advancing research in shape memory alloys. The materials and technologies developed by our scientists are now widely used across various sectors of Russian industry and have been successfully implemented in production. In this study, NUST MISIS researchers examined how 3D-printing parameters affect the properties of a nickel—titanium-based alloy. Owing to its unique combination of strength, flexibility, and ability to return to its original shape, this material is widely used in medicine, aerospace engineering, robotics, and microelectronics. It is the alloy used, for example, in vascular stents, orthodontic archwires, and certain types of implants. The results of this research pave the way for the development of improved medical devices, miniature actuators, and components for 4D printing,” said Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.

The study also showed that under less intensive printing conditions the alloy retains high superelasticity, which is the ability to undergo deformation and fully recover without damage. Under more intense laser exposure, the material exhibits a stronger shape memory effect.

This approach is particularly important for 4D printing, an emerging field in which printed objects can change their shape or properties over time in response to temperature, mechanical load, or other external stimuli. The ability to predetermine material behavior opens the door to a new generation of smart structures.

“The key outcome of this work is the confirmation that the alloy’s properties can be tuned directly during the printing process, without additional heat treatment. We found that changing the printing parameters can shift the phase transformation temperature by nearly 45°C. In other words, we gained the ability to control the point at which the material begins to recover its shape or display superelasticity,” said PhD Stanislav Chernyshikhin, Head of the Laboratory of Additive Manufacturing at NUST MISIS.

The findings may prove valuable for the production of personalized medical implants, miniature mechanisms, flexible joints, and robotic devices. In addition, the study could serve as a foundation for developing industrial printing protocols for nickel—titanium alloys with predefined characteristics tailored to specific applications and operating conditions.

The research findings were published in the scientific journal Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing (Q1). The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 25-29-00954).

Retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, are often diagnosed at late stages, when vision can no longer be restored. One reason is the limitations of existing diagnostic methods: they detect structural changes but miss early functional disturbances in cells.

“Researchers at NUST MISIS have been engaged for several years in developing innovative technologies that in the future will simplify diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The diagnostic method for retinal pathologies developed at the university based on the ‘glow’ of cells will become an important tool for detecting diseases and assessing the effectiveness of ongoing therapy,” said Rector of NUST MISIS Alevtina Chernikova.

Scientists from MISIS University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and the Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry studied lipofuscin, which is a pigment that accumulates with age in retinal pigment epithelial cells. It can luminesce under light exposure, and its properties can be used to assess the condition of the eye. A key feature of lipofuscin is its phototoxicity: when irradiated with visible light, it can generate reactive oxygen species and toxic oxidation products that cause pronounced oxidative stress. Studying these processes is important for understanding mechanisms of retinal damage and diagnosing age-related degenerative changes. A major role here is played by lipofuscin’s autofluorescence. Measuring its “glow” parameters is an important tool for early diagnosis of eye diseases.

Until now, there has been insufficient data on how exactly the composition of lipofuscin changes under photodamage and how this is reflected in its “glow” signal. For the first time, Russian researchers used fluorescence lifetime imaging to track at the cellular level how lipofuscin changes during photooxidation inside pigment epithelial cells.

Experiments showed that as photooxidation progresses, not only does the composition of lipofuscin change, but also the nature of its “glow”: in particular, the fluorescence lifetime increases. This is presumably due to the fact that the original molecular components of lipofuscin are oxidized and partially broken down, while the products of their transformation have different fluorescent properties.

“What is important is that we were able to record these changes without introducing additional labels or interfering with the cell. Such measurements became possible thanks to fluorescence lifetime imaging. This is a modern microscopy method based on measuring the lifetime of excited molecular states, which allows us to obtain additional diagnostic information about tissue condition,” said Alexey Semenov, Candidate of Biological Sciences, researcher at the Laboratory of Photonic Gas Sensors at MISIS.

The scientists also studied the role of antioxidants in suppressing the phototoxic effects of lipofuscin. In the experiment, they investigated the carotenoid protein AstaP, isolated from the microalgae Coelastrella astaxanthina, which can deliver zeaxanthin, which is a natural substance that protects cells from oxidative stress. It was found that the AstaP—zeaxanthin complex slows down lipofuscin degradation: the formation of oxidized products is reduced, and complete pigment damage does not occur. Details of the study are published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B (Q1).

“To increase the sensitivity and speed of measurements, in the next stage we plan to use quantum sensors we have developed — superconducting single-photon detectors,” said Grigory Goltsman, leading researcher at the Laboratory of Quantum Information Technologies at MISIS.

The work was carried out under the program for attracting talented young scientists under the age of 39 (postdocs) within the framework of Priority 2030 (grant No. K4-2024-3).

One of the key topics of the meeting was academic mobility. The Chinese delegation, headed by AIIT President Wu Min, expressed interest in sending AIIT graduates to pursue master’s and doctoral studies at NUST MISIS. In the future, the parties plan to join efforts to implement joint scientific initiatives, including projects involving the Chinese university’s industrial partners.

“NUST MISIS is building multifaceted cooperation with Chinese universities. Anhui Institute of Information Technology is a vivid example of a young and ambitious university deeply integrated into an industry driven by advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The partnership between MISIS and AIIT brings together our strong фундаментальной engineering school and China’s advanced experience in implementing artificial intelligence,” said Andrey Voronin, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at MISIS.

AIIT is a private university established with the participation of iFlytek, one of China’s leaders in the field of artificial intelligence. The university collaborates with the country’s leading technology companies, which provide the institution with modern equipment for research, testing, and workforce training. AIIT also participates in projects focused on industrial digitalization and the integration of AI into education.

“Our team at MISIS University, a national leader in materials science, has developed and patented an innovative aluminum-based alloy that combines strength, ductility, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. By varying the ratio of alloying additions (scandium and zirconium) we can design materials with properties tailored to specific applications,” said NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova.

Modern electronics and electric vehicles require lightweight materials capable of efficiently dissipating heat. Emerging trends in automotive manufacturing involve producing a single large, complex-shaped casting instead of assembling numerous smaller components, significantly accelerating production. This technology has already been successfully adopted by Tesla, which manufactures aluminum parts weighing up to 150 kg using Giga Press machines. However, conventional casting alloys are unsuitable for such applications because they do not provide sufficient thermal conductivity.

The researchers based their work on an aluminum alloy containing zinc and calcium. Previous studies had demonstrated its high thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and suitability for casting technologies. The alloy enables the production of complex-shaped components in large volumes, but its relatively low strength limited its range of applications.

“To address this issue, we added small amounts of scandium and zirconium, elements capable of increasing strength without reducing thermal conductivity. During the study, we varied their ratio and investigated how this affected the material’s properties,” said Anastasia Lyskovich, a postgraduate researcher at the Department of Foundry Technologies and Artistic Processing of Materials at MISIS.

“The challenge in developing a material that is both suitable for casting and highly thermally conductive lies in the fact that most casting alloys contain large amounts of alloying elements that reduce heat conductivity. In our alloy, calcium and zinc provide the necessary casting properties while having minimal impact on aluminum’s ability to dissipate heat. The high mechanical performance is achieved through scandium and zirconium, which are added in very small quantities and effectively strengthen the alloy during heat treatment,” explained Andrey Koltygin, Head of the Department of Foundry Technologies and Artistic Processing of Materials and Director of the Engineering Center for Foundry Technologies and Materials at MISIS.

The study showed that increasing the zirconium content slightly reduces strength and thermal conductivity but improves ductility, significantly enhances corrosion resistance, and lowers the material’s cost.

The findings open new opportunities for developing advanced aluminum alloys for electronics, energy systems, and transportation applications, where complex-shaped components must simultaneously provide efficient heat dissipation and withstand mechanical loads.

The research results were published in the journals Materials (Q2) and Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (Q1). The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 24-29-00682).

Many complex metal components are produced from powders. For this purpose, hot isostatic pressing technology is used: powder is placed into a sealed metal shell—a mold—which is then compressed and heated under high pressure. As a result, the particles are sintered, forming a dense material.

“The mold is a key element of this process. It must be strong, airtight, ductile at high temperatures, and at the same time easily removable after processing. Typically, such shells are made from metal blanks welded together. However, this method is not suitable for complex shapes. An alternative can be 3D printing, but it is expensive and limited by equipment size,” said Andrey Travyanov, Director of the College of Technologies at NUST MISIS.

Scientists from NUST MISIS and the University of Lyon proposed a different approach—using cold spray deposition. This is a technology in which metal powder is deposited at high velocity onto a surface, forming a dense coating. This method makes it possible to create thick metal layers without significant internal stresses.

First, a model of the future part is created, for example from aluminum. Then a steel layer is applied onto it using cold spray deposition. After that, the aluminum base is removed, leaving a metal shell of the required shape. To strengthen the temporary coating, the scientists carried out heat treatment. As a result, the material properties improved significantly: strength increased by about 4 times, while ductility rose from 1% to 20%.

Afterwards, the researchers assembled a full capsule, filled it with nickel alloy powder, and performed pressing. The shell withstood the entire process: no cracks formed, and the joints remained strong. Details of the study were published in Journal of Thermal Spray Technology (Q2).

“We demonstrated the possibility of creating complex-shaped shells without welding and expensive printing. In the future, the technology may be applied not only to powders but also in additive manufacturing. For example, it may be used to densify parts produced by cold spray deposition, opening new opportunities for creating strong metallic components of complex shape,” said PhD (Tech.) Maxim Khomutov, Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Hybrid Additive Technologies, NUST MISIS.

The journal Mining Science and Technology (Russia) has been published since 2010. It focuses on mineral deposit development and geology, rock properties, geomechanics and geophysics, mineral processing, mine surveying, industrial safety, environmental issues, mine construction, mining machinery and transport, energy, automation, digital technologies, and case studies from the mining industry. The journal is indexed in international and Russian databases, including Scopus, is included in the core of the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), the Higher Attestation Commission (VAK) list (Category 1), and the White List (Level 1).

The journal Powder Metallurgy and Functional Coatings covers a wide range of topics: from powder production and sintering technologies to additive manufacturing, nanostructured materials, and functional coatings. Published since 2007, it is indexed in international and Russian databases, including Scopus, and is included in the VAK list (Category 1). All articles undergo double-blind peer review and are published in open access under the CC BY 4.0 license.

The journal Izvestiya. Non-Ferrous Metallurgy, founded in 1958, focuses on ore beneficiation, metallurgy of non-ferrous, rare and precious metals, foundry production, metal forming, and corrosion issues. The journal is indexed in Scopus, included in the RSCI core, the VAK list (Category 1), and the White List of scientific journals (Level 2). All articles undergo double-blind peer review and are published in open access.

The journal Izvestiya. Ferrous Metallurgy has also been published since 1958. Its key topics include modern metallurgical technologies, resource efficiency, environmental issues, automation of production processes, and the development of new materials. The journal is indexed in Scopus, included in the VAK list (Category 1), the RSCI core, and the White List (Level 1). It is published six times a year.

The selection concludes with the first 2026 issue of the Russian Journal of Industrial Economics, which focuses on strategic management, economic analysis, sustainable development, the green economy, and corporate social responsibility. The journal is included in the VAK list (Category 1), the RSCI core, the RSCI database on the Web of Science platform, and the Unified State List of Scientific Publications (Level 1).

One of the promising candidates as an alternative to rare-earth magnets in a number of applications is a manganese-aluminum-based alloy. Its magnetic properties are associated with the so-called τ-phase. However, this phase is unstable and can easily degrade when temperature or processing conditions change.

Scientists at NUST MISIS investigated how adding small amounts of vanadium and applying different cooling methods — from conventional quenching to ultrafast melt spinning on a rotating copper wheel — affect the behavior of such alloys. The study examined alloys with manganese content ranging from 51% to 55%.

“Composition and cooling conditions make it possible to control the material’s structure more precisely. We found that adding vanadium makes the magnetic τ-phase less stable: it forms within a narrower composition range and decomposes at lower temperatures. However, under ultrafast quenching conditions, vanadium helps obtain this phase without additional heat treatment,” said Mikhail Gorshenkov, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Physical Materials Science and Leading Researcher at the Center for Infrastructure Cooperation and Partnership “MegaScience”.

The best result was achieved for a manganese-aluminum-vanadium alloy (Mn₅₃Al₄₄V₃). In the cast sample after quenching and annealing, the fraction of the magnetic phase exceeded 90%. In thin metallic ribbons produced by ultrafast cooling, a high proportion of this phase formed without additional heat treatment, which could simplify the technology for producing the required ferromagnetic phase with a fine grain structure. The researchers also observed a slight increase in the magnetization of the ferromagnetic phase.

“Another interesting result was the discovery of Curie temperature hysteresis: the temperature of the ferromagnetic-to-paramagnetic phase transition during heating was found to be more than 100 °C higher than during cooling. At the same time, no changes in the crystal structure of the material were observed. This effect is unusual for most ferromagnets and had not previously been observed in the alloys we study. We assume that the observed phenomenon may be related to a first-order magnetic phase transition mechanism. We are currently investigating this effect, as it could be useful for the development of various sensors,” said Anastasia Fortuna, Assistant at the Department of Physical Materials Science, NUST MISIS.

The detailed results were published in Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (Q2). The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation under project No. 23-13-00161.

At the invitation of the Department, representatives of NUST MISIS visited the University of Mpumalanga, the University of Zululand, and North-West University to identify key areas of cooperation. These include the development of joint academic programs and the implementation of research projects commissioned by South African industry partners.

Masamba Kah, Head of the Industrial and Educational Partnership Project between NUST MISIS and African countries, presented the university’s key academic programs and research areas during a strategic session with profile government bodies of the Republic of South Africa.

Particular interest was shown in areas such as the development of new technologies for mining and mineral processing; advanced metallurgical processes and materials that increase the value of the country’s mineral resources; research into innovative materials; digitalization of industrial processes; and the development of efficient economic models.

The parties also discussed opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in engineering, environmental research, and agricultural technologies. In addition, they highlighted strong potential for cooperation in nuclear energy, including joint research and capacity building.

“The industry-oriented approach of MISIS education fully aligns with the needs of South African universities and creates significant potential for developing joint programs and research. Our partners have expressed their readiness to design and implement practice-oriented projects through targeted enrollment,” said Masamba Kah, commenting on the outcomes of the meeting.

The agreements reached open new prospects for strengthening Russian—African cooperation in science and education ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for October 2026.

In terms of performance, supercapacitors occupy an intermediate position between conventional capacitors and batteries. They can charge and discharge extremely quickly and withstand tens of thousands of operating cycles. Their characteristics largely depend on the electrode material, which is often activated carbon. However, the traditional production of activated carbon requires considerable time and energy.

Researchers from MISIS University and RIAMT proposed an alternative approach to producing this material. Instead of prolonged heating in furnaces, they applied microwave treatment in a special waveguide operating in a traveling-wave mode. In such a system, microwave radiation is efficiently absorbed by the entire sample, allowing the material to heat rapidly and uniformly throughout its volume.

As the starting material, the researchers used cotton waste from textile production, which is an accessible and renewable raw material with a high carbon content.

“The entire process of converting the initial cotton into carbon and forming the porous structure took less than five minutes. For comparison, conventional thermal treatment requires more than one and a half hours and significantly higher energy consumption. The resulting carbon materials have a well-developed hierarchical porous structure,” said Valentin Berestov, assistant at the Department of Physical Chemistry at MISIS University and junior researcher at RIAMT.

Traditional analogues are dominated by very small pores, which makes it difficult for electrolyte ions to penetrate quickly. In the new material, however, an effective combination of small pores and larger channels is formed. This facilitates ion transport inside the electrode and improves the performance of the supercapacitor, especially under high loads.

Tests showed that the samples retain more than 95% of their capacitance even after 20,000 charge-discharge cycles. At high current densities, they demonstrate better performance than activated carbons produced by conventional methods.

Details of the study were published in Journal of Energy Storage (Q1).

“Microwave radiation has been used before to produce activated carbon, but typically this is done in so-called resonator-type furnaces, which are structurally very similar to household microwave ovens. In such cases, the speed of production or the quality of the material did not always surpass traditional methods. In our work, we proposed an original technical solution, which is irradiating the sample in a waveguide. This makes it possible to dramatically increase the speed of obtaining materials with the required properties. Using textile waste as a raw material also reduces environmental impact and aligns with the circular economy concept, where waste becomes a resource,” added Ilya Krechetov, Candidate of Physics and Mathematics and associate professor at the Department of Physical Chemistry at MISIS University.

The technology can be scaled and adapted for other types of biomass. In the future, this approach may open the way to rapid and environmentally friendly production of materials for next-generation energy storage systems, from portable electronics to electric transport and industrial energy applications.

“As part of the Priority 2030 national program, a research team at NUST MISIS led by Professor Alexey Ustinov, a globally recognized scientist, is implementing the strategic technological project ‘Quantum Internet.’ One of its key objectives is to create the conditions necessary for transitioning quantum technologies from laboratories into industry and developing competitive products with export potential. The new machine learning—based algorithm enables dynamic optimization of error correction in quantum key distribution systems, improving operational stability under non-ideal conditions. This development is an important step toward building scalable and practical quantum networks,” NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova.

Quantum cryptography provides a very high level of data protection because any attempt to intercept information alters the quantum state of the system and cannot go undetected. However, the technology is highly sensitive to noise and equipment instability.

In high-speed quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, data streams must be processed almost in real time. This requires fast error correction codes that reveal as little information as possible about the key over the public channel. Selecting the optimal code depends, among other factors, on accurately predicting the initial error rate in the distributed key. The researchers proposed a new solution by training an algorithm to analyze QKD system performance and dynamically predict quantum error rates based on telemetry data.

“At the end of a QKD session, legitimate users obtain ‘raw’ keys that should be identical. However, due to natural noise or potential eavesdropping, these keys always contain errors, which are detected and corrected using special error correction codes. The keys are divided into small blocks, and checksums—known as syndromes—are exchanged over a public channel for each block. This makes it possible to identify and correct mismatched bits without revealing their values. The more auxiliary information required for this exchange, the slower and more vulnerable the process becomes. Our algorithm analyzes system telemetry in real time and selects the optimal error correction mode for each block,” Andrey Tayduganov, Head of the Laboratory of Quantum Communications Theory at NUST MISIS.

“We systematically evaluated modern methods using real-world datasets, which significantly expanded our available toolkit. The key advantage of our method is that it has been validated on real experimental data and is directly applicable to specific physical setups. Most approaches described in the literature are tested only in simulations, allowing them to achieve formally high performance before being validated with actual data,” Denis Derkach, Head of the Research and Training Laboratory for Big Data Analysis Methods at HSE University.

The new model takes into account not only the history of error rate fluctuations but also a range of additional system parameters, enabling it to quickly adapt to unexpected changes. Detailed results of the study are published in the scientific journal Physics of Particles and Nuclei.

The algorithm also analyzes error rates and detection probabilities of decoy laser pulses, which do not contribute to key generation but play an essential role in estimating parameters required to calculate the length of the final secret key. This makes it possible to detect sudden changes in the quantum channel or single-photon detectors at the receiver and incorporate this information for more accurate prediction of signal pulse error rates.

The research was carried out as part of the NUST MISIS strategic technological project Quantum Internet under the Priority 2030 program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia (National Project “Youth and Children”), project No. K1-2022-027.

At the heart of quantum computing are qubits. Unlike a bit in a classical computer, which can be either “0” or “1,” a qubit can also exist in a superposition of states. When a qubit is measured, it “chooses” one of the states (0 or 1) with a probability determined by its superposition and then collapses into that state. Each qubit is encoded in the state of a specific physical system, such as an atom or a photon. Modern quantum processors still have a limited number of such elements and are sensitive to errors when performing complex tasks, which is why improving accuracy and reducing the number of computational operations remain key goals. In addition to qubits, there are more complex, multilevel units—qudits—which combine more states (three, four, or more) and can process more information. If researchers learn to control them effectively, these additional levels can be used to simplify computations without increasing the number of physical information carriers—atoms, ions, superconducting systems, and so on.

Researchers at MISIS have developed schemes in which the additional levels of qudits are engaged only during specific steps of an algorithm, after which the system returns to the standard qubit operating mode. This makes it possible to implement quantum algorithms more efficiently.

“We have shown how to simplify complex operations that are essential for most quantum algorithms. Typically, performing them requires many steps and additional elements, which increases the risk of errors. Using extra states already available in qudits allows us to reduce the number of steps needed to carry out such operations,” Alexey Fedorov, PhD, Director of the College of Physics and Quantum Engineering at MISIS.

The new approach is not tied to a specific technology and can be applied across various quantum platforms—from superconducting circuits to ionic and photonic systems. This makes the development universal and promising for the further advancement of quantum computing. The results help bring the practical use of quantum algorithms closer and enhance the efficiency of next-generation quantum devices.

“We deliberately focus on quantum algorithms represented in the form of qubit circuits, since this is how the overwhelming majority of quantum algorithms are described today. This allows us to directly link theoretical ideas with real hardware platforms and to show how qudits can be used without the need to completely rethink existing algorithms,” Anastasia Nikolaeva, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Senior Researcher in the Quantum Information Technologies Group at the Russian Quantum Center and MISIS.

The article was published in Reviews of Modern Physics (Q1), which ranks among the top 1% of scientific journals by citation impact. According to the Scopus database, the journal’s percentile is 99—meaning its articles are cited more frequently than those in 99% of other journals. The journal ranks 13th among more than 49,000 titles across all fields of science.

“We analyzed a wide range of approaches to using qudits in quantum computing—both those developed in our previous studies and those proposed by other research groups. It was important for us not only to bring these results together, but also to highlight their strengths and weaknesses and to present the overall picture in a way that is clear to quantum hardware developers and to fellow theorists working on quantum algorithms,” Evgeny Kiktenko, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Junior Scientific Director of the Quantum Information Technologies Group at the Russian Quantum Center.

The research was carried out as part of the MISIS strategic technological project “Quantum Internet” within the Priority 2030 program of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, with additional support from the Russian Science Foundation.

Both journals have the 99th percentile, indicating that their citation impact — one of the most important indicators of scientific influence — is higher than that of 99% of academic journals. Scopus determines percentiles using the CiteScore metric, which reflects the average number of citations received over four years per article published in a journal. Since citation patterns vary significantly across research fields, rankings are compiled separately for each subject area.

In 2024, Reviews of Modern Physics posted a record CiteScore of 91.1, securing 13th place among more than 49,000 journals indexed by Scopus across all disciplines. By comparison, Nature ranks 22nd with a CiteScore of 78.1.

In the article Qudits for Decomposing Multiqubit Gates and Realizing Quantum Algorithms, published in Reviews of Modern Physics, researchers from the College of physics and quantum engineering at NUST MISIS — Evgeny Kiktenko, Anastasia Nikolaeva, and Alexey Fedorov — explore approaches to using qudits, multi-level quantum systems, for the efficient implementation of quantum algorithms.

ACS Nano has a CiteScore of 24.2 and ranks 297th in the overall Scopus rating. With the participation of Alexander Kvashnin, Professor at the Department of semiconductor and dielectric materials at NUST MISIS, an international team of researchers published the article SbIV, an Unusual Player in 2D Spintronic Devices, presenting the results of a theoretical study of ultrathin films of the perovskite Rb₂SbCl₆.

Superconducting single-photon detectors, invented in Russia, are considered a key element of quantum technologies. They allow for the detection of individual light quanta with record efficiency, temporal resolution, and low false alarm rates—necessary for the creation of photonic quantum processors, quantum cryptography systems, and biomedical imaging. However, traditional superconducting materials used to produce them have limitations: they require high-temperature heating (600—800°C), which significantly hinders scaling and integration with the most promising photonic platforms, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and thin-film lithium niobate (LNOI).

“The main advantage of the material is the ability to apply the film at room temperature, making it compatible with any substrates, including semiconductors, for which heating above 350°C is undesirable,” Vladislav Korovin, a laboratory researcher at the NUST MISIS Photonic Gas Sensor Laboratory.

Researchers from NUST MISIS, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Higher School of Economics, and the Russian Space Systems Corporation (RKCC) have demonstrated for the first time that detectors made from a molybdenum-rhenium (MoRe) alloy can not only be grown on the rough piezoelectric substrate of lithium niobate but also operate in single-photon and multi-photon modes across a broad range of wavelengths from visible to near-infrared (IR).

“We deposited a molybdenum-rhenium film onto a thin-film lithium niobate substrate—a material actively used to create miniature high-speed photonic integrated circuits. Thanks to the electro-optical effect of lithium niobate, we can precisely control light signals within the chip. The combination with the new superconducting coating enables the creation of compact and sensitive quantum devices, such as opto-radio frequency converters for the quantum internet. The creation of such an internet would fundamentally change the paradigm of quantum computing by linking separate quantum computers together,” Alexey Nevzorov, Ph.D. in Physics, researcher at the NUST MISIS Competence Center for Quantum Communications.

The newly developed detector demonstrated photon detection efficiency of up to 98% with light at a wavelength of 780 nm and 73.5% at 1550 nm—key ranges for photon chip operations. The device functioned at relatively high temperatures, which is uncommon for other amorphous superconductors, and its characteristics were comparable to the best samples of polycrystalline superconductors. The details of the research were published in the scientific journal Applied Physics Letters (Q1).

“This applied development was carried out as part of the NUST MISIS strategic technological project ‘Quantum Internet’ under the ‘Priority-2030’ program, with close collaboration between the university and industry. In particular, with our partner, LLC ‘Superconducting Nanotechnologies’ (Skontel), which operates in the global quantum sensor market. We hope that, thanks to our research and developments, the company will not only maintain Russia’s leading position in traditional markets but will also conquer new ones—India, Vietnam, Africa, and Latin America—where the development of quantum technologies is just gaining momentum, and access to technologies from Europe and the U.S. is severely limited,” Vadim Kovalyuk, Ph.D. in Physics, head of the Photonic Gas Sensor Laboratory at NUST MISIS.

The work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant No. 24-72-10105) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (FSME-2025-0004).

Max phases, which combine the strength of ceramics with the thermal conductivity of metals, are known for their resistance to high temperatures, pressure, and loads. However, a reliable technology for bonding max phases with metals has yet to be developed. The processes occurring at the interface between materials and various molten metals remain incompletely understood.

Researchers from NUST MISIS and the A.G. Merzhanov Institute of Structural Macrokinetics and Materials Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences have studied how molten copper interacts with a max phase made of titanium, aluminum, and nitrogen. The scientists placed polished max phase plates in a vacuum chamber, applied droplets of molten copper at temperatures between 1085 and 1200°C, and recorded the results using high-speed filming and thermographic measurements. They found that when in contact with copper, the max phase decomposes into solid titanium nitride particles, while aluminum atoms move into the copper melt. As a result, the material volume decreases, creating micropores that are then filled with copper. They also discovered that the decomposition and infiltration process can be controlled by adjusting the temperature and heating time above the copper melting point.

“We are the first to describe the mechanism of change in max phases during their high-temperature interaction with copper melts, resulting in the formation of a new composite. Understanding this process will allow the creation of strong intermediate layers for soldering different materials, as well as the synthesis of composites with high strength,” Sergey Zhevnenko, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Professor at the Department of Physical Chemistry at NUST MISiS.

The resulting material turned out to be significantly harder than pure copper. The max phase particles, bonded by the melt, formed a dense structure with increased strength. The bonded grains of the original max phase also showed increased hardness. The composite may be more resistant to wear and deformation while maintaining high electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. The details of the research were published in the scientific journal Composite Interfaces. The study was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 23-19-00657).

The guests visited the Laboratory of Superconductor Quantum Technologies and the NTI Quantum Communications Competence Center of NUST MISIS, where they learned about the university’s developments in quantum computing, quantum communication, cryptography, and post-quantum encryption.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed that NUST MISIS specialists will provide scientific and technical support for the establishment of a Quantum Technologies Laboratory in Vietnam. In addition, students from Vietnam will be enrolled at the university to study programs related to quantum technologies.

The expansion of cooperation with Vietnam marks an important step toward the international integration of the NTI Competence Center Quantum Communications and will help unite the efforts of the scientific community to advance quantum technologies essential for modern communication and cybersecurity systems.

Collaboration between the Russian and Vietnamese sides has been actively developing following the agreements reached during the official visit of Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to NUST MISIS in September 2024. At that time, the parties decided to expand cooperation not only between universities but also between research centers and industrial companies.

“New palladium-based materials allow us to rethink the very concept of solar energy — to make it an integral part of urban infrastructure. This is not just a new market, but a new technological direction. The development of solar energy, including BIPV, may require up to 10 tons of palladium annually in the future,” said Anna Stavitskaya, Project Manager at the Nornickel Palladium Technology Center.

The Building Integrated Photovoltaics technology involves embedding solar modules into the structural elements of a building — such as facades, roofs, windows, and balcony railings. These solutions allow buildings to generate electricity directly from their surfaces, reduce energy consumption, and preserve both aesthetic appearance and natural lighting.

The panels can be installed in private houses as well as on industrial sites. Unlike traditional silicon solar modules, typically mounted on rooftops or in standalone solar farms, perovskite semi-transparent panels can, for the first time in Russia, be integrated directly into glass facades and windows. The unique properties of perovskites enable them to convert solar energy even under cloudy skies and low light conditions.

“For many years, the research team at MISIS, led by the young and talented Doctor of Science Danila Saranin, has been developing technologies and materials for alternative energy. Their work focuses on extending the lifespan and increasing the efficiency of next-generation solar cells. The university has established a technological base for scaling up from laboratory prototypes to large-scale perovskite solar module testing,” said Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.

The innovative semi-transparent panels can be embedded into glass surfaces, combining over 30% transparency with efficient solar energy conversion. This combination enables three functions at once: generating electricity, providing natural lighting, and reflecting thermal radiation.

“The core of the technology lies in ultra-thin perovskite films — less than one micron thick — printed onto glass substrates. The key innovation is the use of transparent multilayer electrodes enhanced with palladium, which are resistant to oxidation. Applying a thin palladium layer has little effect on the cost of production but significantly improves resistance to moisture, air, and temperature fluctuations. Although palladium is traditionally used in microelectronics and petrochemistry, we have unlocked its potential for creating durable transparent electrodes in solar modules,” explained Danila Saranin, head of the Advanced Solar Energy Laboratory at NUST MISIS.

According to estimates, each square meter of the panel can generate up to 150 W of electricity, turning glass surfaces into active elements of a building’s energy system. This approach can offset 15–40% of the energy consumption of buildings with glass facades and panoramic windows. For an office center with 3,000 m² of glazing, this equates to up to 45 kW of installed capacity and about 55,000 kWh per year. In agrivoltaics, a greenhouse complex with a glass-covered area of one hectare could generate hundreds of kilowatt-hours annually, covering up to half of its own energy needs.

The evaluation considered a range of indicators, including total number of citations, research productivity, and other bibliometric measures.

The following NUST MISIS researchers were named among the most cited scientists worldwide:

1. Sergey Balovtsev, PhD in Engineering, Professor, Department of Mining Safety and Ecology
2. Nikolay Belov, DSc in Engineering, Chief Researcher, Department of Metal Forming
3. Igor Bilenko, Chief Researcher, Quantum Communications Center
4. Sergey Galkin, DSc in Engineering, Professor, Deputy Head, Department of Metal Forming
5. Igor Golovin, DSc in Physics and Mathematics, Professor, Department of Physical Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous Metals
6. Sergey Dorozhkin, Leading Expert, Institute of Biomedical Engineering
7. Filipp Kiryukhantsev-Korneev, DSc in Engineering, Professor, Department of Powder Metallurgy and Functional Coatings; Head of the In situ Structural Transformations Diagnostics Laboratory, MISIS-ISMAN Joint Research Center on Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis
8. Natalia Naumenko, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Leading Expert, Research & Education Center for Acousto-Optics
9. Alexander Polyakov, PhD in Engineering, Professor, Department of Semiconductor Electronics and Semiconductor Physics; Head of the Ultrawide-Bandgap Semiconductors Laboratory
10. Fedor Senatov, DSc in Physics and Mathematics, Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering
11. Alexey Fedorov, PhD, Director, Institute for Physics and Quantum Engineering
12. Dmitry Shtansky, DSc in Physics and Mathematics, Professor, Department of Powder Metallurgy and Functional Coatings; Director, Research Center for Inorganic Nanomaterials

“At MISIS, we have created and are successfully implementing a comprehensive program aimed at shaping a relevant scientific agenda and achieving significant results. The university hosts 48 research laboratories and research & education centers, where world-class scholars and talented young scientists work side by side. In addition to research, they play a crucial role in training highly qualified specialists for the national economy. Being included in Elsevier’s list is a great honor for any researcher. I congratulate our scientists and wish them further success,” NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova.

As part of the project, an efficient technology has already been developed for producing various types of polymer-based surgical materials. The first product, however, will be surgical sutures with an antibacterial coating that provides a long-lasting antiseptic effect. A prototype line of laboratory samples has already been produced, demonstrating sustained bactericidal effectiveness for more than two weeks.

Sutures and mesh endoprostheses are polymer materials enhanced with micro- and nanocarriers that enable controlled drug release at the site of surgery. Depending on the applied coating, these materials can possess antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties.

The project also includes the development of unique production equipment for applying drugs onto fibers. This system is now in its final stages and is scheduled to launch on October 9, 2025.

“NUST MISIS specialists have designed a unit for applying drug-based coatings to surgical threads. It was developed in record time — just six weeks — and has already produced the first modified threads. The university is now working on an industrial prototype that will increase production capacity tenfold,” Dr. Fedor Senatov, Director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

“For us, it is critically important that we are talking about a real product that can reduce the risk of postoperative complications and accelerate patient recovery. Our joint project with NUST MISIS, supported by Gazprombank, demonstrates that the medicine of the future is being created today. We firmly believe that science must serve people, and technology must safeguard health and save lives. Partnerships like this not only generate innovation but also advance medicine itself — because it concerns each of us,” Mikhail Nasibulin, CEO of the LIFT Research Center.

At present, Russia has limited or no industrial-scale production of sutures and mesh endoprostheses with specialized coatings, forcing domestic companies to rely on imported fibers. For the first time, an industrial production line will be established for new surgical materials, paving the way for introducing innovative medical devices into clinical practice—devices that can significantly speed up and reduce the cost of postoperative rehabilitation.

“Our collaboration with NUST MISIS is a vivid example of how science and business should work together. The project was executed brilliantly and in a very short timeframe. Initiatives like this deserve the highest level of support, and we are fully open to further cooperation. It is vitally important for us to build an open information environment so that projects of this kind can find development partners in a timely manner,” Dmitry Zauers, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board at Gazprombank.