In this article, we present the results of a study of the influence of a high-frequency magnetic field on the change in the work function of an electron in carbon steel (0.45% C) after heat treatment, including normalization, quenching, and temper hardening. The electron work function is determined on metallographic sections. The electron work function undergoes the greatest changes after exposure to a magnetic field in normalized steel, as well as in quenched and tempered steel. After quenching, the work function of an electron in steel does not change significantly. The effect observed can be attributed to the alignment of the microrelief on the surface of the samples, which is formed during preparation of a metallographic section, under the influence of a magnetic field. This results in a reduction in the number of mesoscopic surface defects.

We study the dynamics of polydisperse dust particles in a rf post-discharge plasma. The levitation of charged particles after the discharge switching-off is found, and the velocities of their fall are measured. A model of the dynamics of particles in the afterglow plasma is proposed to estimate their size and residual charge.

The authors have studied the physicochemical properties of aqueous dispersions containing carbon, silver, and iron nanoparticles which were produced by elastic-spark synthesis under the conditions of subaqueous spark discharge, and also the influence of preliminary acoustic and high-frequency electromagnetic action on them and the change in the functional indices of the glass-ionomer cement tempered by these dispersions.

The influence of the cold plasma on a copper coating was found to cause fragmentation of the initial crystallites, the change in the structure and aligning of the residual stresses in the coating and substrate. Clarifying of the chromium coatings, a decrease in microhardness by 1 -1.5 GPa, the change in the structure, and an increase in wear resistance were observed .

Radiofrequency (5.28 MHz) electromagnetic radiation and low-temperature plasma were applied as short-term (2-15 min) seed treatments to two perennial woody plant species, including Smirnov's rhododendron (Rhododendron smirnowii Trautv.) and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.). Potential effects were evaluated using germination indices and morphometry. The results suggest that treatment with electromagnetic field stimulated germination of freshly harvested R. smirnowii seeds (increased germination percentage up to 70%), but reduced germination of fresh M. nigra seeds (by 24%). Treatment with low-temperature plasma negatively affected germination for R. smirnowii, and positively for M. nigra. The treatment-induced changes in germination depended on seed dormancy state. Longer-term observations revealed that the effects persisted for more than a year; however, even negative effects on germination came out as positive effects on plant morphometric traits over time. Treatments characterized as distressful based on changes in germination and seedling length increased growth of R. smirnowii after 13 months. Specific changes included stem and root branching, as well as increased leaf count and surface area. These findings imply that longer-term patterns of response to seed stressors may be complex, and therefore, commonly used stressor-effects estimates, such as germination rate or seedling morphology, may be insufficient for qualifying stress response. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:536-548, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

We have studied the effect of shallow modulation of the discharge current on the burning regime and the plasma parameters of a diffusion-cooled glow discharge in CO2/N2/He laser gas mixtures. We have established that modulation of the discharge current leads to excitation in the discharge of pulsations in the acoustic pressure, the electric current, and the intensity of the generated laser radiation, with the frequency of standing acoustic waves arising in the discharge tube and also with the frequencies of the current modulation, its harmonics, and combinations of all these frequencies with the frequency of the current pulsations in the power supply. We have shown that when self-sustaining resonant oscillations in the discharge current are excited or when the current is modulated, the IR luminescence intensity from the upper laser level of the CO2 molecule and the power of the radiation generated by the laser vary because of plasma heating in the positive column of the discharge, due to its contraction in the acoustic wave field initiated by the current pulsations.

The dynamics of the gas mixture in the cylindrical resonator of a CO2 laser with periodic heat release in the region of its axis was defined on the basis of the numerical solution of the system of Navier–Stokes equations by the explicit MacCormack method with splitting of the initial operator in space directions. The space fields of the gas-dynamic functions of the gas mixture and the ranges of their change were determined, and the character of the averaged flow of this mixture was investigated.

Optical spectroscopic techniques are used to study the spectral and energy characteristics and to determine the gas temperature of rf discharges for treating cereal and legume seeds. It is shown that active plasma particles produce a change in the morphology of seed coats. The optimal conditions for plasma processing prior to planting, such that its biological effectiveness is greatest, are realized for a specific discharge power of ~0.35 W/cm3 and an exposure time of 5–7 min.

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the influence of a high-frequency electromagnetic field on the physical, mechanical, and tribological properties of polymer friction composites for automotive brakes. It was shown that, in some cases, the treatment with an electromagnetic field results in the transformation of the polymer supramolecular structure. In the case of treatment of initial powder compositions, significant changes (up to 20%) in the dynamic modulus of elasticity and the tribological properties of the final materials were found. The possible mechanisms of the effect of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic treatment on the physical and mechanical properties of friction materials, as well as the correlation of the properties with the acoustic noise of friction units, are under discussion.

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the effect of a high-frequency electromagnetic field on physicomechanical and tribotechnical properties of polymeric frictional composites used for automotive brakes. It is shown that treatment by an electromagnetic field, in some cases, results in the transformation of the supramolecular structure of the polymer. In case of the treatment of the initial powder compositions, there is an evident change (up to 20%) of the dynamic modulus of elasticity and tribological properties of the finished materials. Possible mechanisms of the effect of the pulsed highfrequency electromagnetic treatment on the physicomechanical properties of the friction materials and their relation to the acoustic noise of tribounits are discussed.

The results of studying the effect of high-frequency magnetic-pulse treatment of electrodeposited chromium coatings on their structure are described. It is shown that the effect of magnetic-pulse treatment depends on the deposition conditions, which are responsible for significant changes in the initial structure and microhardness of the coatings.

We have studied the effect of the regimes of high-frequency (radio wave) electromagnetic treatment of gauging water on the process of structurization and on the technological characteristics of portland-cement systems. It has been established that the radio wave electromagnetic activation of water leads to a reduction in its surface tension, dynamic viscosity, and shear stress, as well as intensifies the formation of coagulation structures in a portland-cement slurry and aids in increasing the mobility of cement-sand mixtures.

The change in the structure of M1 copper on exposure to a nonequilibrium low-temperature plasma produced by a high-frequency capacitive discharge in air at a pressure of about 1 Torr was investigated. The influence of the duration of plasma action on the structure and mechanical properties of copper has been studied. The increase in the dispersity of copper and in the homogeneity of its structure under the action of plasma has been established. It is shown that transformation of the copper structure is accompanied by the formation of static distortions of its crystal lattice at a level of about 0.007∙10–10 m.

1 Institute of Physics NAS of Belarus, Nezavisimosti Ave. 68, 220072 Minsk, Belarus Institute of Plant Protection NAS of Belarus, Mira Str. 2, 223011 Priluki, Minsk District, Minsk Obla st, Belarus Institute of Physics, University of Belgrade, Pregr vica 118, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stankovi ć”, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia

We have investigated the influence of the regimes of high-frequency magnetic-impulse and acoustic action on the physicochemical properties of water solutions of polycarboxylate superplasticizers and technological indices of fine concretes plasticized by them. The dependences of technological properties of concretes on the concentration of water solutions of the superplasticizers, the content of impurity ions in the water used for dilution, and the conditions of acousto-radiowave treatment have been determined. The regimes of activation of superplasticizer solutions, which permit increasing the mobility and keeping quality of concrete and solution mixes tempered with water and the density and strength of fine concretes formed from them, have been established.