Rector Alevtina Chernikova: “Today, NUST MISIS educates students from all regions of Russia and more than 80 countries worldwide. One in five students is an international citizen. The university places special emphasis on creating comfortable conditions for high-quality education, research activities, creative pursuits, and sports. The International Friendship Community actively operates at the university, organizing cultural days and international youth conferences and participating in the implementation of our comprehensive program for the adaptation of international students.”

As part of the event, a solidarity campaign was held in support of residents of Dagestan affected by a natural disaster. A parade of nationalities and a flash mob took place, where participants performed national dances and presented traditional costumes and symbols of their peoples. At the “Culture Without Borders” exhibition, students showcased everyday items, national attributes, and cultural elements from various countries and regions. Participants included student associations from Russia, CIS countries, and beyond — from Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to China, Vietnam, India, Iran, Pakistan, as well as countries in Africa and Latin America.

The concert program featured creative groups and solo performers from different countries, including national dance ensembles, vocalists, and musicians. The stage presented performances reflecting the world’s cultural diversity: dances of the peoples of the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East, as well as vocal compositions and instrumental pieces. The festival concluded with a joint performance by representatives of all student associations.

“At the University of MISIS, the strategic technological project Materials Energy is being carried out under the Priority 2030 national program. A research team led by the talented young Doctor of Engineering Danila Saranin is developing technologies and materials for alternative energy, focusing on extending the service life and improving the efficiency of next-generation solar cells. The researchers enhanced the thermal stability of perovskites by introducing triphenylamine-pyridine molecules into the material structure, which nearly tripled the devices’ effective operating lifetime. The proposed method could become one of the key approaches for the future large-scale production of solar panels,” MISIS University Rector Alevtina Chernikova.

Today, perovskite solar cells significantly outperform silicon-based counterparts in cloudy conditions and under artificial lighting. However, the widespread adoption of these panels remains limited because the thin films rapidly degrade when exposed to adverse environmental factors.

One of the key challenges facing materials scientists is extending the operational lifetime of perovskite modules at high temperatures, which greatly accelerate corrosion of metal contacts and the formation of structural defects. Existing stabilization methods, such as surface passivation, often work only under mild, near-room-temperature conditions and prove insufficient at the standard operating temperatures of solar panels — 80—100°C.

To address this issue, researchers from MISIS University, together with colleagues from the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Synthetic Polymeric Materials, proposed an effective way to protect perovskite modules from heat-induced degradation. The team introduced special organic molecules into the material that form thin films directly within the perovskite structure. These molecules stabilize the material from within, protect the interfaces between the device layers, and slow down defect formation.

“The triphenylamine-pyridine molecules we introduced are designed so that one part donates electrons while the other attracts them. This allows them to interact efficiently with the perovskite and create localized electric fields inside the material, altering the energy levels at crystal grain boundaries. This reduces energy losses and increases the open-circuit voltage to 1.14 V. The molecules also increase the activation energy required for the diffusion of critical defects, which extended the solar cell’s effective operating lifetime by more than three times at 80°C,” Ekaterina Ilyicheva, engineer at the Advanced Solar Energy Laboratory of MISIS University.

The new molecules block ion migration within the material — one of the main causes of perovskite degradation over time. Thanks to this, the stable operating lifetime at 80°C increased nearly threefold. Full details of the study are available in the journal Solar RRL (Q1).

“Thermal degradation has remained the main barrier to the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Our bulk passivation strategy using the TPA-Py molecule not only preserves high efficiency but also dramatically improves device stability under real operating conditions,” Lev Luchnikov, research engineer at the Advanced Solar Energy Laboratory of MISIS University.

The work was carried out as part of the MISIS University strategic technological project Materials Energy under the Priority 2030 program and was also supported by Russian Science Foundation grant No. 22-19-00812-P.

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.

Anna Denisova, Deputy Director of the Information and Marketing Center at MISIS University, took part in the main plenary discussion, “Investing in a New Reality: How to Increase the Efficiency of the Mining Industry in 2026.” Valery Suprun, Director of the University’s Project and Expert Center, discussed current challenges facing the coal industry and possible solutions during a roundtable session. Vasily Cheskidov, Deputy Director of the Mining Institute, served on the jury of the финал of the Mining Industry 4.0 digital projects competition.

As part of the exhibition, MISIS University showcased several technologies aimed at improving the efficiency of mineral extraction and processing:

• Dip-Strike Imager software suite — designed to determine fracture geometry based on optical borehole imaging data. Developed by Pyotr Nikolenko, PhD in Engineering, Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Processes of Mining and Geocontrol;
• Coal Expert petrographic and reflectometric analysis system — intended to improve the accuracy of coal quality assessment. Developed by Svetlana Epstein, Doctor of Engineering, Professor at the Department of Mining Safety and Ecology and Head of the Physicochemistry of Coal Research and Testing Laboratory;
• Technology for producing high-grade iron ore concentrate used in direct reduced iron (DRI) production. Developed by Elena Chanturiya, Doctor of Engineering, Professor at the Department of Mineral Processing and Recycling of Mineral and Technogenic Raw Materials;
• A solution for creating digital twins of mineral deposits. Developed by Valery Suprun, Doctor of Engineering;
• Approaches to end-to-end optimization of mining production processes within the Mine-to-Mill concept. Developed by Vasily Cheskidov, PhD in Engineering.

The exhibition is traditionally held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use (Rosnedra), the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship, as well as other government bodies.

The exhibition brought together leading experts, business representatives, and government officials from 35 countries, including Russia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. Participants discussed industrial and scientific-technological cooperation and identified new growth opportunities for the region.

As part of the business program, Mikhail Filonov, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at MISIS University, and Bakhodir Abdullaev, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of JSC Uzmetkombinat, signed a memorandum on joint educational and research activities based at the university’s Almalyk branch campus.

MISIS University also signed a cooperation agreement with Tashkent State Transport University, represented by Rector Abdulaziz Gulamov. The agreement is aimed at launching bilateral training programs for master’s and doctoral students. The parties also agreed to cooperate in scientific research and academic exchange initiatives.

Another cooperation agreement was signed by Mikhail Filonov, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at MISIS University; Farkhodbek Umarov, Director of the MISIS Almalyk Branch; and Dmitry Vladimirov, Deputy CEO for Mining Industry and Government Relations at Tsifra LLC. The partnership предусматривает the launch of joint educational programs in mining engineering, internships and practical training opportunities for students, as well as the establishment of research and educational centers and laboratories, including at the university’s Almalyk branch.

During the session “The Medical Devices Market of Uzbekistan and Russia: Opportunities for Joint Growth,” Mikhail Filonov presented MISIS University’s approaches to the development of medical technologies and the training of engineering personnel for high-tech industries. He also spoke at the foresight session “Designing the Workforce of the Future,” where participants discussed the transformation of engineering education, the implementation of dual education models, and strengthening cooperation between universities and industry to provide the industrial sector with highly qualified specialists.

In addition, the MISIS University delegation visited TMK enterprises and reached an agreement with Kobildjon Kozokov, CEO of the R&D Park by TMK research and production complex, to develop technical specifications for manufacturing projects and prepare a scientific and technical cooperation program for 2026–2028.

The MISIS University exhibition was presented at the stand of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and featured the following developments:

• The first scalable semi-transparent perovskite solar modules designed for integration into glass façades and building roofs. The panels allow architectural elements to generate electricity without reducing natural lighting. Developed by the Advanced Solar Energy Laboratory;
• An integrated-optical hydrogen sensor capable of detecting ultra-low hydrogen concentrations in the gas phase. Thanks to its integration with optical fiber systems, the sensor can be used in remote and hard-to-access locations where human presence is undesirable or dangerous. Developed by researchers from the Photonic Gas Sensors Laboratory;
• Complex mineral fertilizers produced from secondary by-products of ferrous metallurgy (sludges, slags, phosphogypsum) for manufacturing slow-release fertilizers. The technology makes it possible to recycle industrial waste while simultaneously improving soil fertility. According to test results, grain crop yields increased by more than 30% while maintaining grain quality. Developed by the team of the Department of Functional Nanosystems and High-Temperature Materials;
• Supercapacitors based on composite electrodes for use in renewable energy systems and portable electronics. The developed method for modifying Busofit carbon fabric with a conductive polymer demonstrated that the formation of polyaniline on the carbon fiber surface improves the capacitive performance of the composites. Developed by researchers from the Department of Physical Chemistry.

Participation in INNOPROM. Central Asia enabled MISIS University to showcase relevant scientific solutions, expand its network of partners, and outline new directions for international cooperation.

The International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM is a key event for trade and industrial cooperation in Central Asia. The organizers are the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

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.

IIIT Dharwad is an institute of national importance in India, specializing in the training of professionals in information technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital engineering. It is developing as a modern center for engineering education and applied research, addressing the needs of the digital economy. Its academic programs cover computer science, electronics and communications, and also include training in Data Science, AI, and digital design.

“The signing of this agreement marks an important step in the development of international cooperation at MISIS. We highly value our partnership with IIIT Dharwad and see significant potential for joint work in digital technologies, education, and research,” said Andrey Voronin, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at MISIS.

The agreement lays the groundwork for joint educational and research initiatives, as well as for strengthening academic ties between Russia and India. The establishment of this cooperation was supported by the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation.

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.

Particular attention was given to expanding cooperation in science and higher education. The parties agreed to promote stronger ties between scientific organizations in both countries, including the development of academic mobility formats, implementation of educational programs and research projects, as well as the organization of specialized international exhibitions, conferences, and seminars.

The Russian side expressed interest in participating in the development of the “Krylya” uranium deposit and in cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, and also confirmed its readiness to collaborate in geology and subsoil use. Masamba Kah, Head of the Industrial and Educational Partnership Project between NUST MISIS and African countries, presented the university’s experience in training highly qualified specialists tailored to the needs of industrial partners. In particular, he spoke about the “Mining Geology” educational program related to uranium extraction in Namibia, implemented at the request of the international group Uranium One (part of the TENEX Group within the Rosatom State Corporation). The African side emphasized that the high level of integration between the university and industry is a key competence required to align educational programs with global standards.

“Colleagues from Namibia showed particular interest in MISIS’s industrial and educational partnership project aimed at localizing knowledge and competencies within key sectoral initiatives. Following the meeting, we plan to expand joint work with African partners. This will be another step toward developing international educational tracks and training specialists for the mineral resource sector in African countries,” said Masamba Kah.

Following the presentation, the parties agreed to develop joint network master’s programs and other areas of professional training within the framework of a pilot project for transitioning to an updated model of higher education.

The Russian-Namibian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was established in 2005 and serves as a key platform for developing bilateral relations. Within the framework of the commission, issues related to expanding partnerships in strategically important sectors of the economy and training personnel for sustainable development are discussed. The Russian side of the commission is headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, Yury Trutnev. The Namibian side is chaired by Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia.

Aluminum has a low density, which makes it widely used to reduce the weight of structures. However, conventional aluminum alloys and modern aluminum matrix composites reinforced with ceramic particles have a significant drawback: at temperatures above 300°C, they lose much of their strength.

“Scientists at NUST MISIS have developed and patented an innovative aluminum-based composite that, at temperatures above 300°C, demonstrates strength close to that of structural steel while remaining almost three times lighter. The development will be in demand in aviation, space industry, and mechanical engineering, where components and equipment operate under extreme conditions and in aggressive environments,” said Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.

The researchers created a hybrid composite material in which the aluminum matrix is simultaneously reinforced with submicron aluminum oxide particles and titanium powder.

“We did not simply mix two types of additives—we created a system in which one of the components (titanium) interacts with the aluminum matrix at every stage, from alloying to annealing, enhancing the strengthening effect of aluminum oxide,” said Alexey Prosviryakov, Candidate of Technical Sciences and Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Ultrafine-Grained Metallic Materials at NUST MISIS.

Aluminum oxide particles, which provide increased stiffness to the composite, are combined with titanium powder. During heat treatment, titanium reacts with aluminum to form hard, refractory intermetallic particles. These particles improve resistance to plastic deformation even at high temperatures, creating an additional strengthening effect.

“Equally important is the method used to create the material—mechanical alloying. Intensive processing in a planetary ball mill refines the structure down to the nanoscale, forming numerous ultrafine and stable grains. These grain boundaries significantly enhance the material’s strength,” added Dmitry Bekarevich, Research Assistant at the Department of Non-Ferrous Metallurgy, NUST MISIS.

The support vector machine algorithm is one of the fundamental classification models commonly used for image and digit recognition, as well as in machine learning projects focused on cancer detection and drug discovery.

“In the proposed model, the data array is encoded using qudits, that is, quantum states with more than two levels. This makes it possible to process larger volumes of information without increasing the number of physical carriers. The work brings us closer to the practical application of quantum computers in machine learning tasks,” said Alexey Fedorov, Director of the College of Physics and Quantum Engineering at NUST MISIS.

According to the algorithm’s operating principle, qudits map data into a multidimensional space, where it can then be easily separated and classified.

“First, a sequence of quantum gates (encoding classical data) is applied to the quantum state of a qudit. Then, measurements are performed on all registers, and the output is a classical bit string — a sequence of zeros and ones. The highest classification accuracy was achieved with 1,024 iterations of the quantum gate sequence,” explained Elizaveta Glazkova, a postgraduate student at the Department of Theoretical Physics and Quantum Technologies, NUST MISIS.

The resulting algorithm is already being applied by researchers from NUST MISIS and the Institute of Nanotechnology of Microelectronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in joint work on segmenting interfaces of functional thin films for next-generation microelectronics.

Details of the study have been published in the scientific journal Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics. The work was carried out as part of the strategic technological project “Quantum Internet” under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation’s Priority 2030 program.

“Additive technologies are one of the key drivers of modern industry: their application accelerates production cycles and improves material efficiency. A team of scientists from NUST MISIS, led by Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Sergey Nikolaevich Zhevnenko, has developed and patented an innovative method with strong potential for metallurgy and high-temperature electronics. This additive technology enables the creation of tungsten heaters with complex geometries and various sizes, reduces production labor intensity, and enhances product reliability under extreme operating conditions,” said Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.

Tungsten heaters are a key component in equipment operating at temperatures ranging from 1500 to 3000°C. They are used in vacuum and protective furnaces for sintering and heat treatment, as well as for crystal growth, brazing, and melting of refractory metals. They are widely applied in high-temperature metallurgy and powder technologies, as well as in the synthesis of carbides, nitrides, and superhard materials. These elements are also used in laboratory equipment that simulates extreme conditions for testing new alloys, ceramics, and composites. However, traditional manufacturing of tungsten heaters is labor-intensive due to the difficulties of processing the metal, which limits the scale and efficiency of their use. MISIS researchers addressed this challenge using additive manufacturing, specifically selective laser melting.

“Traditional methods of producing tungsten heaters, which are casting, machining, and manual assembly of composite structures, are complex and expensive, especially when it comes to compact products with multicomponent structures. We have patented an additive manufacturing technology that radically simplifies established processes,” said Professor Sergey Zhevnenko, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Physical Chemistry, NUST MISIS.

By optimizing melting parameters, the researchers succeeded in producing a monolithic tungsten heater that does not require additional tooling.

“For printing, we used pure tungsten powder with particle sizes in the tens of micrometers. Since this metal has a very high melting point, around 3422°C, the process required high radiation power and precise tuning of technological parameters. In a selective laser melting system, we locally melted tungsten powder in an argon atmosphere, forming the изделие layer by layer,” explained PhD Stanislav Chernyshikhin, Head of the Laboratory of Additive Manufacturing at NUST MISIS.

According to Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Ainur Khairullin, a Category I engineer in the research project at the Department of Physical Chemistry, NUST MISIS, the developed technology makes it significantly easier and more cost-effective, compared to traditional methods, to produce small-sized tungsten heaters for scientific and educational applications. This will help increase the speed and efficiency of research involving high-temperature laboratory methods without additional costs. Overall, the development paves the way for mass production of tungsten heaters for a wide range of industrial applications.

The work was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (No. 23-19-00657).

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.

“Developments from NUST MISIS are successfully applied across various high-tech industries: from medicine to aviation and space. The new aluminum alloy with the addition of tin, created by our researchers under the leadership of young and talented Doctor of Technical Sciences Torgom Akopyan, shows strong potential for sectors where the combination of strength and lightness is critical. The use of this patented material will significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing high-load components in the aviation, space, and transport industries,” said Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.

At the initial stage, all components were melted, mixed, and cast into ingots. These ingots were then rolled into sheets, which helped densify the metal structure. The most critical stage is heat treatment: first, the alloy was quenched, and then an aging process was applied. At the final stage, a microalloying addition of tin triggered the formation of numerous ultrafine copper-containing particles within the metal, which provide the material with high strength.

“It is important to note that the performance improvement is achieved without the use of expensive or toxic alloying elements such as silver or cadmium, while maintaining a high capacity for deformation without fracture. The alloy can be used to produce structural elements of airframes, frames, fastenings, and landing gear assemblies in the aerospace industry,” said Torgom Akopyan, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Senior Researcher at the Department of Metal Pressure Forming, NUST MISIS.

The new composition and processing regimes make it possible to control the material’s structure at the nanoscale, which increases its key mechanical properties (ultimate strength and yield strength) by 30–40% while preserving high ductility. In transport engineering, the alloy can be used to manufacture high-load components for cars, trains, and specialized machinery, including body structures, frames, and suspension elements. It also enables the production of all major types of wrought semi-finished products: rolled plates and sheets, forgings, and extruded bars.

“The advantage of this method lies in its full compatibility with existing industrial infrastructure. Transitioning to the production of the new alloy will not require costly re-equipment of facilities, standard casting, rolling, and heat treatment equipment can be used. This ensures a low barrier to adoption and rapid return on investment,” explained Nikolay Belov, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Chief Researcher at the Department of Metal Pressure Forming, NUST MISIS.

The work was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 23-73-30007).

“A team of scientists at MISIS University, led by Professor Nikolai A. Belov, Doctor of Technical Sciences and one of the world’s most highly cited researchers, has developed an innovative aluminum alloy containing calcium and titanium. The material combines excellent casting properties with exceptional ductility. In the future, the new alloy could be used to produce lightweight and durable components for the mechanical engineering industry,” MISIS University Rector Alevtina Chernikova.

Traditional aluminum—silicon alloys are widely used in manufacturing due to their good casting performance, low density, and cost efficiency. However, they have a significant drawback — low ductility. As a result, they are unable to withstand impact loads and complex deformation, which considerably limits their range of applications. The MISIS University researchers proposed an alternative based on an aluminum—calcium system with the addition of titanium.

“We discovered a new compound containing aluminum, calcium, and titanium. As the melt solidifies, a compact ternary phase forms instead of the coarse and brittle crystals that typically reduce alloy deformability,” Evgenia Naumova, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Metal Forming at MISIS University.

The detailed findings of the study have been published in the scientific journal Materials Letters.

“As the alloy solidifies, it develops a structure we describe as a ‘natural composite.’ It can be compared to a reinforced material: the finest hard particles are uniformly distributed within a ductile aluminum matrix. Hardness increases proportionally with the fraction of these particles. Alloys containing 0.5% titanium demonstrated the optimal balance of properties,” Professor Nikolai Belov, Chief Researcher at the Department of Metal Forming at MISIS University.

The research was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 23-79-30015).

At the opening ceremony, Rector Alevtina Chernikova stated: “NUST MISIS is one of the country’s leading universities in information technology: we rank among the top 15 in the national RAEX subject ranking. Each year, highly motivated and well-prepared students enroll at our university—the average Unified State Exam score for IT programs in 2025 was 95–97. We train specialists in artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data, software engineering, and more. A strategic priority for NUST MISIS is systematic engagement with the business community. This enables us to respond quickly to emerging challenges and design academic programs tailored to employers’ needs. The opening of the RED SOFT laboratory will allow our students to tackle real industry challenges and gain hands-on experience with technologies developed by domestic software vendors, enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.”

The laboratory features 30 fully equipped workstations running the RED SOFT product ecosystem: the RED OS operating system (included in the national software registry and certified by the Russian Federal Service for Technical and Export Control), a virtualization platform, the RED Database Management System, and RED ADM centralized administration tools. Combined with the R7 Office suite and Yandex Browser, the setup creates a comprehensive development and administration environment identical to that used today in the real sector of the economy.

The choice of technology stack is deliberate. RED SOFT products are certified and implemented by major market players and government agencies. Among the company’s clients are the Federal Bailiff Service of Russia, Gazprom Group companies, Russian Railways (RZD), Rostelecom, and Rostec’s United Engine Corporation, among others. As a result, proficiency in the tools used by leading domestic corporations provides graduates with a clear pathway to launching their careers.

Maxim Anisimov, CEO of RED SOFT: “It is important for us that students graduate not with an abstract understanding of technologies, but with real experience working in IT infrastructure environments. We see the laboratory at NUST MISIS as part of a systematic approach to workforce training for high-tech industries.”

Denis Safin, CEO of Management Company Ural Steel and an honorary guest at the event: “MISIS is a key partner for our company—it is the country’s leading metallurgy university and, in recent years, one of the leaders in IT education as well. This is no coincidence. Modern life is impossible without information technology and artificial intelligence—this is no longer just a trend, but a reality. Ural Steel is moving in this direction, and we have major projects ahead, including joint initiatives with NUST MISIS and RED SOFT. The opening of the laboratory is an investment in infrastructure where students and experienced professionals alike can work systematically. Solving real-world cases and learning from industry practitioners will not simply complement the curriculum—they will become an integral part of it. I am confident that truly breakthrough solutions can emerge at MISIS, the country’s leading metallurgy university and one of the leaders in IT education.”

It is worth noting that the cooperation agreement between NUST MISIS and RED SOFT was signed in 2024. Company experts have already reviewed the academic program “Information Systems and Technologies” (09.03.02), developed a course based on the RED Virtualization product, and trained faculty members to work with the company’s ecosystem. The opening of the laboratory marks another step in strengthening this partnership. The facility will host master classes, webinars with RED SOFT developers, and classes taught by the company’s practicing professionals.

Students will also have the opportunity to complete internships at RED SOFT with the prospect of future employment. The range of career paths enabled by training in domestic software is broad: from traditional development roles (front-end, back-end, embedded systems) and database administration to cybersecurity specialists, AI trainers, and professionals in GameDev and blockchain technologies.

At the championship held in Molveno, Italy, participants swam distances ranging from 50 to 1,000 meters in water temperatures as low as 2°C without wetsuits.

“Ice swimming has become a new stage for me: previously I trained in classical swimming and earned the title of Master of Sports of Russia. This year I made my debut in winter swimming and immediately competed at the European Championship. The preparation required not only physical endurance but also serious psychological readiness. I’m glad I was able to achieve a достойный result and become a medalist. In the future, I plan to continue my training and aim to take part in the 2027 Ice Swimming World Championship, which will be held in Argentina,” Matvey Ovseychuk shared.

In addition to competing in classical swimming events, the athlete regularly takes part in open water competitions, where he has repeatedly become a winner and medalist, as well as in winter and ice swimming tournaments. Alongside his studies, he works as a swimming coach.