— Could you tell us a little about yourself, your educational background, and your interests?

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and have always been passionate about materials synthesis and advanced materials engineering. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, exploring new tech trends, and playing football.

— Why did you decide to pursue higher education abroad, and why did you choose Russia and NUST MISIS?

I wanted to gain a global perspective and access world-class laboratory facilities in my field. I chose Russia because of its strong reputation in STEM, and NUST MISIS specifically because it is one of the leading universities in the country for metallurgy and materials science.

— How did you prepare for the Olympiad? How much time did you spend preparing, and what was your strategy?

I spent about two months studying topics specific to my track and reviewing core university textbooks. My strategy focused on mastering unfamiliar topics and refreshing my knowledge of familiar ones, followed by intensive practice solving problems in preparation for the exams.

— Which parts of the competition were the most challenging? How did you overcome those difficulties?

The time-limited practical problems in the second stage were the most challenging because they required highly analytical thinking under pressure. I was able to overcome these challenges thanks to my previous experience with JAMB in Nigeria, a similarly fast-paced examination that required quick thinking, working efficiently under time pressure, and prioritizing the questions I knew best before returning to the more difficult ones.

— What opportunities did winning the Olympiad open up for you? How did it help you pursue your goal of studying in Russia?

Winning the Open Doors Olympiad granted me a full tuition scholarship and made the admission process to my chosen university much easier. It completely eliminated the financial burden of tuition fees and streamlined my transition to studying in Russia.

— What were your first impressions of Russia? Was anything different from what you had expected?

I was immediately struck by the efficiency of Moscow’s transportation system and its beautiful architecture. While the winter was much colder than I had anticipated, I also noticed that the university campuses here are organized quite differently from the communal campus environment I was used to in Nigeria.

— What advice would you give to young people in Nigeria who are considering participating in the Open Doors Olympiad but are unsure where to start?

Start early by building a strong academic portfolio that includes all your achievements, publications, and certificates. Do not hesitate to apply, as the registration process is straightforward and this opportunity can completely transform your academic future.

This online academic competition offers three academic tracks for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies, as well as a research track for postdoctoral researchers.

Winners and runners-up will be eligible for tuition-free education under the Russian Government quota and will be able to choose a Russian university to study at. Those who choose a degree programme taught in Russian will also be eligible to apply for grant support from the Russian Government.

Participants can complete the competition in either Russian or English.

The International Open Doors Olympiad brings together 24 participating Russian universities. NUST MISIS coordinates two bachelor’s-level subject areas: “Earth and Environmental Sciences” and “Chemistry and Materials Science.”

NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova said: “At NUST MISIS, we welcome young people from all regions of Russia and more than 80 countries worldwide. One in five students is an international student. We train engineers and researchers capable of tackling complex scientific and industrial challenges. For six years, NUST MISIS has been a co-organiser of the International Open Doors Olympiad. Building on our priority areas — materials science, metallurgy and mining — the university coordinates the ‘Earth and Environmental Sciences’ and ‘Chemistry and Materials Science’ subject areas. This enables us to attract talented, motivated and well-prepared international applicants to the university.”

Earth and Environmental Sciences

At the 2025 Open Doors Olympiad, 27,190 participants competed in the “Earth and Environmental Sciences” subject area. A total of 250 winners and 375 runners-up were selected, while another 268 participants received recognition for outstanding performance.

Among the research fields, participants showed the greatest interest in meteorology and atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, water resources, physical geography and environmental sciences. For master’s programmes, the most popular choices included environmental sciences, petroleum engineering and geology.

At the bachelor’s level, the most popular fields of study were “Ecology and Environmental Management,” “Geology” and “Geography.”

A total of 8,302 participants took part in the bachelor’s track in this subject area, 16% of whom completed the tasks in Russian. The competition resulted in 72 winners and 91 runners-up. When choosing their further studies, 98% of participants opted for Russian-language instruction, while 87% chose a preparatory faculty.

Chemistry and Materials Science

At the 2025 Open Doors Olympiad, 20,013 participants competed in the “Chemistry and Materials Science” subject area. A total of 55 participants were named winners and 68 runners-up, while another 103 received recognition for outstanding performance.

Participants showed interest in a wide range of research fields. At the bachelor’s level, the most popular fields of study were “Materials Science and Materials Engineering,” “Chemistry” and “Innovation Studies.”

A total of 8,357 participants took part in the bachelor’s track in this subject area, 17% of whom completed the tasks in Russian. The competition resulted in 14 winners and 22 runners-up. When choosing their further studies, 88% of participants opted for Russian-language instruction, while 74% chose a preparatory faculty.

The International Open Doors Olympiad is being held for the tenth time with the support of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

— Could you tell us a little about yourself, your educational background, and your interests?

— My name is Soheil Seif, and I’m from Iran. I hold a master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering from a well-regarded Iranian university and have published two research articles in chemistry. Before coming to Russia, I worked as a groundwater specialist in water resources management at a major Iranian company.

— Why did you decide to pursue higher education abroad, and why did you choose Russia and NUST MISIS?

— It has always been my dream to pursue my research interests and continue my studies at a world-class university abroad. I would like to become an international scientist and collaborate with researchers from different countries. I’ve chosen Russia because it is a great country, and I feel that our cultures have certain things in common. Another advantage is its geographical proximity to Iran. Russia also has many world-class universities. I’ve decided to study at NUST MISIS because of its strong international standing in the field of mining, which is closely related to my research interests. This made the university particularly attractive to me.

— How did you prepare for the Olympiad? How much time did you spend preparing, and what was your strategy?

— I found out about the Open Doors International Olympiad online. As a PhD-track participant, I went through three stages of the competition. First, I prepared my documents and uploaded them to the website, where my portfolio was evaluated. The second stage involved an online examination. I prepared for it using the study materials provided on the official website. Finally, I had an interview with potential supervisors, during which we discussed our shared research interests. I was then selected for the programme.

— Which parts of the competition were the most challenging? How did you overcome those difficulties?

— I found the second stage of the Open Doors International Olympiad particularly challenging because I didn’t know what kinds of questions to expect. The subject area was quite broad, so I had to study a wide range of materials in preparation for the examination. However, I did my best to prepare thoroughly. My practical experience in the field also helped me answer the questions.

— What opportunities did winning the Olympiad open up for you? How did it help you pursue your goal of studying in Russia?

— The Open Doors International Olympiad helped me connect with my future academic supervisor. We are now planning to work together on research related to mining and groundwater. Another exciting aspect of my experience is that I’ve made many international friends. Everything in Moscow is new and fascinating to me. It’s a wonderful city, and I’m grateful to NUST MISIS for giving me the opportunity to study here.

— What were your first impressions of Russia? Was anything different from what you had expected?

— When I first arrived, the language barrier was one of the main challenges I faced. Since the local language is essential for everyday communication in Moscow and across much of the country, even simple daily tasks can be difficult without some basic knowledge of it. I would recommend that anyone planning to study here learn a little of the language before arriving. Even a basic level of proficiency can make everyday life much easier.

— What advice would you give to young people in Iran who are considering participating in the Open Doors Olympiad but are unsure where to start?

— I would definitely encourage students from Iran and other countries to consider studying in Russia and participating in the Open Doors International Olympiad. The Olympiad can open up valuable educational opportunities and make studying abroad more accessible financially. As far as I know, students may also be eligible for additional financial support, including grants for those with strong academic records and achievements. I believe that careful preparation is essential: students should study hard, prepare all the required documents, and follow the instructions on the official website. With dedication and thorough preparation, they can significantly improve their chances of success.

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.

Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS, said: “The launch of the Master’s program jointly delivered by NUST MISIS and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China took place as part of the Cross Years of Education between the two countries, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for 2026 and 2027. The program will train engineers and researchers capable of addressing complex challenges in modern materials science. Graduates will receive a degree from one of Russia’s leading technological universities, whose diploma is recognized as a mark of quality in many countries around the world.”

The NUST MISIS delegation at the ceremony was led by Andrey Voronin, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. He noted that cooperation with the Chinese university supports NUST MISIS’s objectives under the Priority 2030 program, which include promoting international academic mobility for students and academic staff to enhance professional qualifications, exchange expertise, and adopt best practices in education and research.

Olga Kim, Advisor to the Rector’s Office for International Affairs, addressed the students with welcoming remarks. Alexey Solonin, Head of the Department of Non-Ferrous Metals Science, presented NUST MISIS student ID cards to the 37 students in the program’s first cohort.

Representing UESTC, Vice-Rector Luo Guangchun, Niu Xiaobin, Dean of the School of Materials and Energy, and Chen Junsong, a member of the university’s academic staff, welcomed the participants. Deng Jing spoke on behalf of the program’s first cohort.

Following the ceremony, representatives of NUST MISIS and UESTC held a working meeting to discuss the further implementation of the joint program. The parties discussed the organization of the educational process, preparation of the class schedule for the spring semester of 2027, requirements for Master’s theses, and admissions arrangements for the next cohort in 2027.

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).

At IMUST, the international conference “Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Science and Practice — Critical Metals” was held. Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Andrey Voronin delivered a presentation titled “Transformation of Engineering Education in Russia: The NUST MISIS Experience,” presenting the university’s approaches to developing modern engineering education. The event brought together more than 200 representatives of universities, research organizations and companies from China, Russia, the United Kingdom, Belarus, Mongolia, Thailand and New Zealand.

During the visit, NUST MISIS representatives also discussed with their IMUST colleagues the development of educational and research cooperation, including expanding opportunities for student academic mobility.

In 2026, students from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology visited MISIS to take part in a summer school. This semester, for the first time, students of the Linguistics programme at NUST MISIS travelled to IMUST to complete a full academic module, “Practical Chinese Language and Culture.” This format allows students to immerse themselves in the linguistic and cultural environment while interacting directly with Chinese students and faculty members.

At Peking University, NUST MISIS representatives learned about practices in organizing educational and research activities. With the University of Science and Technology Beijing, a long-standing partner of NUST MISIS, the delegation discussed current cooperation and possible areas for its further development.

“We discussed specific steps to expand cooperation with our colleagues from USTB and invited them to join the Association of Technical Universities of Russia and China. I am confident that this will give new momentum to our partnership in both education and research,” said Olga Kim.

NUST MISIS continues to develop cooperation with Chinese universities in student exchange, engineering education and research. The visit supports the objectives of NUST MISIS under the Priority 2030 programme, which include developing international academic mobility for students and academic staff to enhance their qualifications, exchange experience, and implement best educational and research practices.

Today, additive manufacturing makes it possible to produce complex-shaped components that cannot be manufactured using conventional casting methods. Aluminum-silicon alloys, known as silumins, are the most commonly used materials for laser metal 3D printing. However, such structures quickly lose strength when exposed to prolonged heating, and their properties are difficult to improve through heat treatment. Nickel, cerium, or copper are therefore added to aluminum alloys to improve their heat resistance and high-temperature strength, but this increases the material’s density and cost. To address this issue, researchers at NUST MISIS have proposed an alternative based on an aluminum-calcium alloy system.

“The denser the material, the stronger it is and the lower the likelihood of cracks forming during operation. We managed to reduce the porosity of the samples by selecting the optimal combination of laser power and printing speed. At the same time, calcium can replace expensive alloying elements without compromising their effectiveness, while reducing the density of the material,” Nikolai Letyagin, PhD in Engineering, lead engineer of the research project at the Department of Metal Forming at NUST MISIS.

The samples withstand tensile loads of up to 366 MPa while being able to elongate by 30% before failure. This combination of high strength and ductility allows components to withstand mechanical loads more effectively, reducing the risk of sudden failure. The detailed research findings are available in the scientific journal Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing (Q1).

“One of the key advantages of the new alloy is its resistance to high temperatures. After heating to 300°C, it retains almost all of its hardness, whereas the hardness of conventional aluminum-silicon materials decreases by approximately one-third. This makes the alloy suitable for manufacturing components that operate at high temperatures, such as those used in engines and power systems,” Torgom Akopyan, DSc in Engineering, senior research scientist at the Department of Metal Forming at NUST MISIS.

The research was supported by grants from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education (FZRR-2026-0005) and the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 23-79-10147).

The meeting was attended by VAST President Tran Hong Thai, Rosatom Director for Quantum Technologies Ekaterina Solntseva, First Vice-Rector of NUST MISIS Sergey Salikhov, and Nikolai Kolachevsky, Director of the P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, academician and scientific coordinator of the national quantum computing roadmap.

The roadmap will cover several areas, including the joint development of Vietnam’s quantum technology development roadmap, workforce training, the establishment of research laboratories, and the development of quantum computing infrastructure more broadly.

“Quantum technologies are a new and groundbreaking field that requires significant investment. Studying the experience of leading countries such as Russia will enable Vietnam to significantly accelerate the development of its talent pool and its own technological capabilities,” said Tran Hong Thai.

The parties also plan to conduct joint research, including through the use of Russia’s quantum computing infrastructure, and exchange scientific expertise. In particular, VAST intends to invite leading Russian specialists to Vietnam to work on joint projects and lead specific areas of research.

The University of Science and Technology MISIS is a member of the ecosystem supporting Russia’s national quantum computing roadmap, led by Rosatom, and is developing a superconducting quantum computer. MISIS is also involved in the strategic technology project “Quantum Internet” under the Priority 2030 state programme, through which the university is steadily expanding its cooperation with scientific and educational institutions in Vietnam.

In 2025, Vietnam National University became a partner of MISIS. The university contributes to the development of Vietnam’s quantum technology programme. Last autumn, MISIS researchers took part in the first meeting on quantum technologies in Hanoi, aimed at developing Vietnam’s quantum science and technology ecosystem. Alexey Ustinov, Head of the Laboratory of Superconducting Quantum Technologies at NUST MISIS, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Professor, is one of the world’s leading scientists in the field of quantum technologies. He was appointed Honorary Director of the Institute of Quantum Technologies at the High-Tech and Innovation Park of Vietnam National University in Hanoi.

In spring 2026, the university was visited by Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During his visit, he discussed promising areas of cooperation in science and education and the development of closer academic ties. The Prime Minister also viewed MISIS researchers’ work in quantum technologies and student projects in robotics and met with Vietnamese students.

Until now, the effects of degradation inside the human body on the properties of polymer implants — including their strength, structure, and ability to interact with bone tissue cells — have not been fully understood.

“When developing biodegradable implants, it is important to understand exactly how the material’s properties will change over time. We compared two types of fillers for polylactide and found that hydroxyapatite provides the best balance of mechanical stability and biological activity, while silicon dioxide, by contrast, causes the material to become more brittle and lose strength more rapidly. These findings will help developers make informed choices about the material composition depending on the required properties of the final implant,” Anna Cheremnykh, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Research Scientist at the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Research and Education Laboratory at NUST MISIS.

Among the materials studied, hydroxyapatite-based composites proved to be the most promising, particularly those containing 10–15 wt.% hydroxyapatite. The scientists demonstrated that these compositions offered an optimal combination of mechanical properties, were safe for cells, and most effectively promoted cell adhesion. The findings are published in the Journal of Polymer Research (Q2).

“Cells adhered more actively to the surfaces of samples that had already undergone biodegradation than to freshly printed ones — especially when the material contained hydroxyapatite, the same mineral that makes up bone tissue. This suggests that as the material degrades, the implant surface becomes more favorable for the attachment of cells involved in bone regeneration,” Fedor Senatov, DSc in Physics and Mathematics, Director of College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

According to Altevina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS, the university is implementing the strategic technology project Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials as part of the national Priority 2030"program. The project focuses on developing and commercializing new products and technologies and training engineers for a rapidly growing industry. University scientists are developing solutions designed to improve the quality of life for millions of people and make treatment faster and more effective in complex medical cases.

The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Grant No. 24-23-00442).

The Uzbek side expressed interest in acquiring biomedical equipment developed at NUST MISIS, providing a base for clinical trials of the university’s technologies, and training its staff to operate the equipment through continuing education programmes. The parties also discussed student and staff mobility, joint degree programmes, and academic competitions for school students aimed at attracting talented young people to joint educational projects.

“As part of the national Priority 2030 programme, MISIS University is implementing the strategic technological project ‘Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials’. Its key objective is to develop and commercialise products and technologies, as well as train engineers for this rapidly growing industry. A natural continuation of the project was the establishment of the College of Biomedical Engineering within the university in 2023. Led by the young and talented Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Fyodor Senatov, our researchers are shaping a relevant research and educational agenda and developing solutions that improve the quality of life for millions of people and accelerate treatment even in the most complex medical cases. Cooperation with Samarkand State Medical University will enable us to share unique expertise with our colleagues from Uzbekistan and work together on research, educational and career guidance projects,” Alevtina Chernikova.

One of the tools for cooperation could be MISIS University’s comprehensive career guidance programme. Operating across all regions of Russia as well as in neighbouring and other foreign countries, the programme helps school students explore modern engineering fields and make informed decisions about their future educational paths. More than 415,000 school students took part in the programme during the last academic year alone.

Samarkand State Medical University is the oldest medical university in Central Asia. It has more than 15,000 students and offers programmes in a range of fields, including biomedical engineering.

“Cooperation in biomedical engineering is particularly important to us. This is a new field for our university, and we are keen to learn from MISIS University’s experience. Today, we became acquainted with the developments of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and have already discussed opportunities for specialist exchanges and joint work. I am confident that we have all the necessary conditions to develop educational and research cooperation and implement joint projects,” Jasur Rizaev.

The signing of the memorandum supports MISIS University’s objectives under the Priority 2030 programme, including increasing its technological leadership index and developing international academic mobility for students and academic staff to enhance professional skills, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and introduce best practices in education and research.

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.

Cooperation with Jospong Group began following an industrial and educational seminar held in Ghana’s Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly. The concept of industrial and educational partnership (IEP) generated strong interest from Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Founder and Executive Chairman of the group. He decided to send students to Russia for training in order to develop a workforce tailored to the group’s specific projects.

During the meeting, the parties discussed formats for cooperation in education, research and technology projects. Ghana is focusing on training specialists who can apply their knowledge directly in practice, with priority areas including industrial equipment design, industrial facility management and renewable energy. NUST MISIS, in turn, sees significant potential for cooperation in mining, metallurgy, waste processing and information technology.

“The IEP model, built on NUST MISIS’s strong integration with industry, will enable our African partners to strengthen ties between local universities and companies. This will create the conditions for localising skills, knowledge and technologies directly on the African continent and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of national economies,” Masamba Kach, Head of the NUST MISIS Industrial and Educational Partnership with African Countries Project.

Among the practical steps agreed upon during the seminar were the preparation of a memorandum of understanding between the university and the Ghanaian side, as well as the launch of an admissions campaign for applicants from Ghana under Russian government scholarship programmes.

“Africa is an important partner for both our university and Russia as a whole. Today’s meeting should provide a solid foundation for the further development of ties in education, research and industrial cooperation,” Dmitry Vasilyev, Director for International Affairs at NUST MISIS.

The event supports the objectives of NUST MISIS under the Priority 2030 program, including increasing the university’s technological leadership index and expanding international academic mobility for students and academic staff to promote professional development, knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices in education and research.