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.

Chandigarh University is one of NUST MISIS’s strategically important partners in India. Cooperation with two campuses at once will expand the geographical scope of interaction and create a broader platform for joint projects in one of the countries that is a priority for the university.

During the meeting, representatives of both universities discussed moving to the practical stage of cooperation and developing a joint roadmap. Key priorities include academic mobility, short-term educational programs, and new initiatives in promising research and educational areas.

One of the nearest areas of cooperation will be the participation of Chandigarh University students in NUST MISIS International Schools. These programs will give students an opportunity to experience the university’s educational and research environment and lay the groundwork for further development of academic exchanges and joint educational projects.

The meeting supports the objectives of the NUST MISIS “Priority 2030” program aimed at developing international academic mobility for students and academic and teaching staff to enhance professional skills, exchange experience, and implement best educational and research practices.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Applicants’ projects were presented and evaluated at 17 venues, from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Krasnoyarsk and Vladivostok. The winners represent 66 regions — four more than last year. A quarter of them will have the opportunity to implement their developments together with industrial partners, which have prepared technology challenges for competition participants for the first time this year,” Director General of the Foundation Andrey Zhizhin.

NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova: “At MISIS University, we create an environment that encourages scientific exploration: from their first years of study, our students become immersed in the fascinating world of research together with leading scientists. The university actively supports student scientific societies, design bureaus, and project offices. We also pay special attention to technology entrepreneurship, helping young people develop the skills and competencies needed to launch their own startups and create high-tech production based on university research. I congratulate the UMNIK grant competition winners and wish them continued success!”

The following projects will receive grant support:

“Development and study of a magnetically controlled antimicrobial system based on hollow iron-nickel-copper microspheres to prevent periprosthetic infections and post-implantation complications.” Author — Irina Rysak, fourth-year student at College of New Materials.

“Development of a search-and-rescue unmanned aerial system for detecting people in hard-to-reach areas using computer vision and autonomous navigation.” Author — Maksim Karpenko, fourth-year student at College of Computer Sciences.

“Development of a technology for producing small-diameter bars from two-phase titanium alloy ingots using radial-shear rolling.” Author — Anna Khakimova, research project engineer at the Department of Metal Forming and master’s student at College of Technologies.

“Development of an additive manufacturing technology for extrusion tooling with integrated cooling channels of complex geometry.” Author — Mikhail Gilvitinov, master’s student at College of Materials Science, Additive and Scalable Technologies.

“Development of high-entropy oxide catalysts for biogas enrichment.” Author — Kseniya Kokina, research laboratory assistant at the “Inorganic Nanomaterials” Research Center and PhD student at College of New Materials.

“Development of a magnetically controlled module for removing kidney stone fragments.” Author — Danil Abramov, master’s student at College of Materials Science, Additive and Scalable Technologies.

“Development of a technology for producing rare-earth-free hard magnetic materials based on the Mn—Al system using additive manufacturing.” Author — Konstantin Nechaev, research project engineer at the Department of Physical Materials Science and PhD student at College of New Materials.

“Development of a non-magnetic corrosion-resistant β-titanium elinvar material for elastic sensing elements of accelerometers operating under extreme conditions.” Author — Alexandra Baranova, PhD student at College of Technologies.

Congratulations to the winners!

NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova said: “Students from all regions of Russia and more than 80 countries around the world study at MISIS University, with international students accounting for one in five students. The university’s international activities encompass education, research, innovation, and social and cultural exchange. Key priorities for MISIS University include developing double-degree programs, expanding network-based cooperation, and promoting short- and long-term academic mobility.”

Five projects were submitted by MISIS University and four by IIIT Dharwad. First place went to Maksim Kuksyuk for Clocked, a dating app based on the principles of ethical design. Second place was awarded to the IIIT Dharwad team for Hey Attrangi, an AI-powered mental health support platform. Third place was shared by Ekaterina Ryumina, who presented Polyrhythm, a spaced-repetition learning app, and Vasilisa Nekhoroshkina, who developed MONO, a digital wellbeing service.

The projects were evaluated by nine experts, chaired by Denis Kalitin, Deputy Director of College of Computer Sciences at MISIS University. The Russian jury included Yevgeny Korzhov, Head of the Department, and Alisa Gron, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer-Aided Design and Design. The Indian jury members were Dr. Jagadisha Bhat, Dr. Rahul Jetty, and Dr. Chinmayananda Arunachala, as well as Dr. Sandesh Phalke, who oversees IIIT Dharwad student teams and supports them throughout the process, from the initial idea to the final presentation.

The international scope of the jury was further strengthened by two invited experts with many years of experience working in global markets: Julia Laurie, a digital marketing and digital product specialist whose professional and academic experience spans Hong Kong and other countries, and Victor Enriquez, a frontend developer and digital media specialist with more than nine years of international experience in Mexico and the Caribbean.

The competition gave students an opportunity to put their knowledge and skills into practice, present their own projects to an international audience, and receive expert feedback. The projects were developed as part of the UX/UI Design degree program, which is being implemented under a pilot project to reform the levels of professional education. It is the only English-taught master’s degree program in this field offered by a public university in Russia. The program is delivered entirely in English, enabling students to develop skills and competencies for an international career.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infrared detectors are used in industrial monitoring, medicine, environmental science, night-vision systems, and space technology. Typically, such devices operate according to one of two principles: either photoelectric sensors directly convert photons into an electrical signal, or thermal sensors detect changes in material properties caused by heating under radiation.

To address this limitation, the scientists developed an innovative infrared sensor based on lead telluride single crystals. For the first time, the device combines two radiation-detection mechanisms — photoelectric and thermal — thereby improving the efficiency of object detection.

“We have shown that a single semiconductor element can detect infrared radiation through two different physical mechanisms. At the same time, the mechanisms have virtually no effect on each other. When exposed to mid-wave infrared radiation with wavelengths of 2–5 μm, the device operates as a conventional photodiode: photons generate an electrical signal through the creation of electron-hole pairs. At longer wavelengths, starting from 10.6 μm, a different mechanism is activated — the barrier pyroelectric effect,” said Danil Kobtsev, Research Assistant at the Laboratory of Photonic Gas Sensors at NUST MISIS.

Lead telluride is widely used in mid-wave infrared photodetectors due to its high sensitivity to this type of radiation. At the same time, the occurrence of the pyroelectric effect on its surface had previously been considered impossible, since according to classical physics, this phenomenon can only be observed in materials without a center of symmetry, such as barium titanate and lithium tantalate. When the temperature of such crystals changes, an electric charge develops on their surface, which can be used to detect infrared radiation.

“Lead telluride is a material with a center of symmetry and cannot exhibit the pyroelectric effect under normal conditions. We introduced an indium impurity into the material and formed a p—n junction, which created an internal electric field inside the crystal. This field broke the local symmetry by shifting the ion sublattices relative to each other. As a result, due to the strong temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity of lead telluride, we obtained a large electrical signal that can be used to detect radiation with an energy below the bandgap. At the same time, the material retained all of its conventional photoelectric properties, making it possible to combine two infrared radiation detection mechanisms in a single device,” explained Vadim Kovalyuk, Head of the Laboratory of Photonic Gases at NUST MISIS.

The researchers confirmed the performance of the experimental samples within the temperature range typical of high-precision detectors, from −233 to −83 °C. Tests demonstrated high sensitivity in the photoelectric mode, a stable thermal response, and stable performance during prolonged operation. The details of the study have been published in the Journal of Applied Physics (Q2).

“The proposed semiconductor architecture provides a foundation for developing universal, compact, and precise array sensors that can be used in thermal imaging, surveillance systems, industrial diagnostics, and scientific research,” said Grigory Goltsman, Chief Research Scientist at the Laboratory of the Quantum Communications Competence Center of NTI at NUST MISIS.

The project was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 23-79-00056) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Project No. FSME-2025-0002).

Microtia, a congenital abnormality of the external ear, occurs in approximately one in 10,000 newborns on average. However, current methods of reconstructing this organ still have several limitations. Autologous cartilage transplantation, in which material for the implant is taken from the patient’s own body, is associated with surgical risks such as bleeding and tissue damage, while synthetic implants made of porous polyethylene are often rejected by the body and can become a source of infection.

Biopolymer constructs printed using a 3D bioprinter avoid these drawbacks, but after implantation they often become deformed under the pressure of contracting skin. To improve implant integration after surgery, specialists from NUST MISIS, together with colleagues from the National Clinical Research Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, the E. I. Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, the N. N. Priorov National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics, the Institute of Plastic Surgery and Cosmetology, the biotechnology company Imtek, and 3D Bioprinting Solutions developed a hybrid 3D printing method.

“We combined two different groups of materials in a single hybrid 3D bioprinting process: a porous and elastic polymer framework that provided the required biomechanics, and a soft collagen material with chondrocytes that enabled vascular network formation and rapid integration of the implant into the body. We tested two versions of the bioprosthesis framework — one with polylactide ribs and one without them. The conventional implant collapsed under load and lost half of its shape. The ribs increased the structure’s resistance to deformation by 44%,” Fedor Senatov, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Director of College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

The researchers filled the pores of the framework with a collagen hydrogel containing living chondrocytes — cells that eventually form the body’s own cartilage tissue, which is not rejected by the immune system as a foreign material. The collagen hydrogel also supports active vascular network development, which is essential because implants without blood vessels remain vulnerable to infections due to the lack of immune cell access.

Details of the study are available in the journal International Journal of Bioprinting (Q1).

“We observed connective tissue and small blood vessels growing throughout the entire volume of the implant. In constructs containing chondrocytes, clusters of mature cartilage cells formed, which, if successful, will give rise to new cartilage tissue inside the pores of this improved bioprosthesis. Three-month in vivo tests showed that the artificial ears successfully integrated, caused no inflammation or rejection, and retained their anatomical shape,” Sergey Zhirnov, the lead author of the study and an engineer on a research project at the Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at NUST MISIS.

The work was supported financially by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (FSME-2026-0018). The researchers’ next step is to conduct clinical trials of the improved implant.

According to Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS, university researchers have been conducting biomedical studies for several years within the university’s strategic technology project “Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials,” implemented under the national “Priority 2030” program. Their developments help improve people’s quality of life significantly.

What does a smart materials developer do?

A smart materials developer (also known as a smart materials designer) is a career for people who want not only to study materials and their properties but also to create materials tailored to specific applications. New materials are needed in biomedicine, electronics, energy, transportation, aerospace, and high-tech instrumentation. These can include biomedical materials for diagnostics and drug delivery, materials for sensors, and composites and alloys for construction in extreme environments. It is important to understand how a material’s properties change at every stage of its life cycle, from development and use to recycling. That is why the profession calls for more than standardized solutions: specialists need to be able to research, compare, model, and select the best option from several possible solutions.

What challenges does a smart materials developer solve?

A materials designer develops the composition and structure of a material so that it performs a specific task: being stronger, more environmentally friendly, cheaper to produce and use, safer for people, or better at conducting heat and electricity. They synthesize materials, test them under different conditions, compare their properties, and identify the optimal solution. This is what distinguishes the profession from that of a traditional materials scientist, who more often focuses on studying the properties and behavior of materials. A developer takes the next step by creating a new solution with predetermined characteristics. Compared with a process engineer, a smart materials developer takes a broader research-based approach: they not only launch production but also design the material itself and determine the best technology for manufacturing it.

Who is a career in smart materials development right for?

This career is a good fit for ambitious young people who want to develop advanced materials and study how they perform in real-world conditions. A strong interest in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering is especially valuable, along with a willingness to work carefully, thoughtfully, and analytically. By choosing this career, you can study not just theory, but how to create technologies that can be applied in industry and science.

What skills does a smart materials developer need?

This is a multidisciplinary profession requiring a broad range of knowledge. Specialists need a strong understanding of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and other fields depending on their area of specialization. They must be able to analyze data, interpret experimental results, draw conclusions based on research, and build models using IT tools. Systems thinking, attention to detail, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work with technical documentation and laboratory methods are key qualities. It is also important to see not just an individual experiment but the entire process, from an initial idea to incorporating a material into a real product or technology.

Where do smart materials developers work?

These specialists are in demand at leading high-tech companies, research centers and organizations, as well as in medtech, microelectronics, the chemical and metallurgical industries, aerospace, and the nuclear sector. They are particularly valuable wherever existing materials need to be improved or new solutions developed for systems operating under high loads.

Why is a career in smart materials development promising?

Industry is increasingly moving away from one-size-fits-all materials toward solutions tailored to specific applications: lighter, stronger, safer, more precise, and more durable. As a result, demand is growing for specialists who can apply and improve existing technologies, develop new materials, and bring them into production.

How much do smart materials developers earn?

At the entry level, salaries are generally comparable to those of junior design engineers and research engineers, ranging from RUB 100,000 to 130,000 per month. Experienced specialists typically earn RUB 130,000 to 200,000. Lead engineers and specialists with a strong portfolio and development experience can earn RUB 200,000 or more. At large companies and in management positions, the upper end of the salary range is higher.

Which program at NUST MISIS can prepare you for a career in smart materials development?

At NUST MISIS, you can prepare for this career through one of the tracks within the Materials Science and Materials Technology program, such as Innovative Materials for Nanoelectronics or Innovative Structural Materials. Students learn to develop manufacturing technologies for new materials and bring them into production while conducting research using state-of-the-art equipment. Admission requires Unified State Exam (EGE) results in mathematics, Russian language, and one additional subject of the applicant’s choice: physics, chemistry, or computer science.

You can also pursue a career in smart materials development through the Advanced Composite Materials track within the Chemical Engineering program. In this case, the required EGE subjects are chemistry and Russian language, with mathematics, computer science, and physics available as elective subjects.

Every year, up to 90% of drugs that show promising results in vitro and in animal studies later prove ineffective in humans. One reason for this discrepancy is species differences, as well as limitations of existing preclinical models, which do not reliably predict how the human body will respond. Unreliable preclinical models account for up to 75% of all spending on new drug development.

Permeability is the ability of a barrier to allow substances to pass through it. In the intestine, permeability determines how drugs and nutrients move from the intestinal lumen into the bloodstream. To measure it, a marker substance is passed through a membrane, and researchers record how much of it reaches the other side and how long the process takes. The closer this value is to that of actual human tissue, the more reliable the model is considered to be.

“The standard for studying the intestinal barrier in vitro remains Caco-2 cells cultured on Transwell inserts. This system consists of a flat monolayer that lacks the characteristic ‘villus-crypt’ relief of the intestinal mucosa. The resulting barrier is also three times denser than human intestinal tissue, which significantly reduces its permeability to soluble substances,” Elizaveta Kudan, DSc in Biology and professor at the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

To address this issue, researchers at NUST MISIS developed a method for producing membranes from polycaprolactone, a biocompatible polymer already used in medicine. The scientists demonstrated that the permeability of the new membrane is two orders of magnitude closer to that of actual human tissue than the standard laboratory model.

“We were able to create a membrane with a stable microrelief that does not flatten out. It is precisely the combination of its structure and carefully selected porosity that allows us to grow intestinal epithelial cells on its surface. These cells form a living barrier that can mimic both healthy intestinal mucosa and disease models. To ensure that the cells were distributed evenly across the complex surface, we additionally treated it with chitosan and polyglutamic acid,” Valentina Kostenko, a co-author of the study and graduate of the iPhD Biomaterials Science program at NUST MISIS.

According to NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova, researchers at the university have been conducting biomedical research for several years as part of the strategic technology project “Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials,” implemented under the national Priority 2030 program. Their work is aimed at developing technologies that can significantly improve people’s quality of life.

A patent application has already been filed for the method of producing the biomimetic membrane.

“Targeted drug delivery systems like this represent one of the most promising directions in modern oncology. Nearly 20 million new cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide every year, and chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for a large proportion of patients. Our goal is to develop technologies that make this treatment safer,” said Elena Nikolskaya, PhD in Chemistry and Associate Professor at the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.

Dactinomycin is an anticancer antibiotic used to treat several types of cancer, including melanoma. However, its clinical use is limited by severe side effects, including systemic toxicity, suppression of blood cell production, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, physicians often have to reduce the dosage or replace it with less toxic — though sometimes less effective — alternatives. To address this challenge, the researchers proposed delivering the drug using nanoparticles that reduce the exposure of healthy tissues to the highly toxic active compound while enabling its selective accumulation and sustained release within tumors.

“We coated the nanoparticles with membranes derived from melanoma cells. This approach offers two major advantages. First, the immune system is less likely to recognize and eliminate these particles before they reach the tumor. Second, cancer cells preferentially absorb particles with surface characteristics similar to their own, allowing the drug to accumulate precisely where it is needed. The more selectively a nanoparticle targets the tumor, the less toxic drug circulates throughout the body and reaches healthy organs. This reduces both the risk of side effects and the likelihood of treatment resistance,” explained Maxim Vershinin, co-author of the study and a graduate of the Engineering Biotechnology track at NUST MISIS.

The researchers optimized the synthesis conditions to maximize the drug loading capacity of the nanoparticles while ensuring gradual drug release followed by safe biodegradation. In vitro experiments showed that the developed nanoparticles entered tumor cells more efficiently than the conventional formulation and were more than twice as effective at killing melanoma cells.

The project received the award for Best Presentation at BIOTECH FORUM 2025 in Almetyevsk and was also awarded second-degree diplomas at both the Lomonosov 2025 International Conference and the Biochemical Physics 2025 conference.

The research was carried out as part of the Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials strategic project at NUST MISIS under Russia’s Priority 2030 academic leadership program.