Russian University has developed unique technologies to combat the epidemic

Scientists from the Baltic Federal University named after Kant have developed a material for the manufacture of personal protective accessories with increased reliability. Specialists know that silver has a high degree of antibacterial and antiviral activity.

Based on this, physicists of the Scientific and Educational Center "Functional Nanomaterials" of the IKBFU began to apply a silver coating to dressings and innovative kits to help veterinary clinics. This is how the unique technology was put into practice.

Given the situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the university has now begun to apply an ultra-thin layer of active silver ions on multi-layer cotton masks. The resulting product was named SilverMask.

Kaliningrad scientists believe that the application of silver to the fabric used to make masks can significantly increase its protective properties. According to the press service of the IKBFU, in the coming days, a trial batch of "silver masks" is planned to be sent for antiviral tests to the certification center in Novosibirsk.

“Our Novosibirsk colleagues are already using a similar technology, but they apply silver by a chemical method,” said Alexander Goikhman, director of the Functional Nanomaterials REC. - We offer a much simpler and, most importantly, a cheaper method of physical influence. Silver ions are applied in the thinnest way and literally pierce the fabric through and through. It is important that the mask made in this way is reusable. As it dries, the surface under the silver layer presumably kills viruses and germs. "

Chubais spoke about the "revolution" in the production of graphene nanotubes in Russia

OCSiAl, previously a part of the Rusnano group, has launched the Graphetron-50 industrial unit in Novosibirsk, which has no analogues anywhere in the world. According to the head of the board of Rusnano, Anatoly Chubais, this is "an outstanding international event, a real revolution in the production of nanofibers and various materials."

We are talking about the commissioning of a plant for the production of graphene nanotubes with a capacity of 50 tons per year. Chubais claims that not a single company in the world today is capable of producing a single ton of this innovative material.

Graphene nanotubes, when added to the composition of other materials in small amounts, can dramatically change their characteristics. For example, a 0.1% addition of nanotubes to aluminum doubles its strength, while adding one thousandth of a percent of this material to concrete makes it one and a half times stronger. And by adding 0.01 percent to the plastic, you can make it electrically conductive. The graphene tubes themselves are 150 times stronger than steel.

Already, the Russian company OCSiAl supplies nanotubes for 75 percent of the world's leading technological manufacturers. Most of them do not disclose the fact of their cooperation with the Russians. We only know that OCSiAl's clients are LG and Pirelli.

Materials scientists have evaluated the effect of metal additives on the combustion rate of rocket fuel

A team of scientists from the National Research Technological University "MISiS" carried out a comprehensive assessment of the effect of metallic nano- and microadditives of aluminum, boron, zinc, nickel, copper and molybdenum on the combustion rate of solid fuel containing aluminum powders. The experiment showed that copper nanoparticles are the most effective additives. An article about the development was published in the journal Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics.

Combustion of solid fuel with the subsequent creation of jet thrust implies the presence of the following main components: fuel, oxidizer and catalyst. As a result of the action of the catalyst, the reaction rate increases, a gas release is generated, and a jet stream is formed.

Today, the so-called cyclic nitramines are used as a combustible material in solid rocket fuel. However, these substances are quite resistant to the action of existing catalysts (oxides and derivatives of stearic acid), which imposes a limitation on the fuel burning rate and, as a consequence, on the speed of the object. The search for new catalysts for the combustion of various types of jet fuel is a fundamental scientific task.

A team of scientists from the National Research Technological University "MISiS" proposed an alternative version of the component composition of solid fuel: aluminum powder was used as fuel. As catalysts, scientists used nano- and microadditives of aluminum, boron, zinc, nickel, copper, molybdenum and their oxides.

Released motherboards for Elbrus at the price of new iPhones

The Russian company MCST has released new motherboards for Elbrus processors, made in the mini-ITX form factor. In total, two new models are presented, and each is significantly more expensive than the Apple iPhone 11 Pro smartphone. 

The youngest model in the series is called E1C-mITX (model number TVGI.469555.417) and costs 92 thousand rubles. The second board, E8C-mITX (TVGI.469555.395), costs 120 thousand rubles. In Russia, you can buy the iPhone 11 Pro at similar prices (90 thousand rubles for the version with 64 GB storage and 122 thousand rubles for the version with 512 GB of memory).

Both boards have dimensions, taking into account protruding elements, 172x170x27 mm. According to the manufacturer, they are intended for use in all-in-one computers, industrial automation and desktop PCs.

ISS cosmonauts to test 3D printer and porthole coating developed in Tomsk

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TOMSK, January 6. / TASS /. Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) has prepared a program of experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), having coordinated it with RSC Energia. During the experiments, which will begin in 2020, scientists will send to the ISS a 3D printer of their own design, which prints products from composite materials, as well as a device that strengthens the station's windows with nano-coating, Aleksey Yakovlev, director of the TPU School of Engineering for New Production Technologies, told TASS.

"We have agreed with RSC Energia on all the technical tasks, they have approved the program (of experiments). We received letters from RSC Energia to begin the procedure for concluding contracts. We were waiting for the approval of the program of experiments, funding will come from RSC Energia in 2020 year, this money will be enough for experiments on the ISS ", - said the agency's source, without specifying the amount of funding.

Yakovlev explained that the program approved three experiments that allow testing technologies. The first is related to a 3D printer developed by TPU for composite materials in space. It will allow you to create especially durable and lightweight tools right on board the station. In the future, it is planned to expand the program and test the possibilities of 3D printing in outer space. Also, the Peresvet experiment will be carried out, within the framework of which a multilayer nanocomposite coating will be applied to the ISS windows to protect glass from space debris and micrometeorites.

The third experiment is related to testing nanosatellites - miniature spacecraft that can be launched into orbit by an astronaut who has entered outer space, simply by letting go. In the future, such devices will work in a group, performing various tasks related to, for example, navigation and communication. In the future, satellites will even be able to repair each other in orbit.

"The project is being led by Skoltech, we are one of 15 participants. Our main task is to 3D print the hulls of the satellites in which we specialize. As part of this experiment, we will have to print ten satellites every year, the rest of the consortium members will be filling them." - he added.

По словам ученого, в 2020 году вуз приступит к экспериментам и до конца 2021 года изготовит макеты оборудования для печати, проведет испытания на Земле, внесет корректировку в конструкторскую документацию, подготовит задание для космонавтов на новом оборудовании, а также изготовит по два устройства для эксперимента - один для испытания в космосе, а другой - для контроля на Земле. В конце 2021 года техника отправится на космическую станцию.