The structural and morphological parameters of nanopowders (Taunit-M and thermally expanded graphite (TEG)) are established; carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets are identified. The maximum sizes of nanocrystals do not exceed 5 and 10 nm in the [0001] and [ 101̅0 ] directions. Multiwalled nanotubes with the diameter of 10 nm form flat tapes up to 40 nm in an X-ray amorphous carbon matrix. Rotation of graphene sheets in TEG is from 3° to 4°. Full dislocations with the Burgers vector b = 1/2 [ 101̅0 ] are revealed within graphene sheets.

In the present work, the phase compositions, morphology, structure, and thermal conductivity of Bi2Te3 – хSeх-based semiconductor wafers before and after the photon treatment (PT) were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and laser flash methods. The semiconductor plates 10 × 10 × 2 mm in size were prepared by electric discharge cutting from the briquettes, synthesized by hot pressing of Bi2Te3 – хSeх powder. Then, the plates were annealed at 570 K in an argon atmosphere for 24 h. The PT was carried out in an Ar atmosphere by irradiation of gas-discharge xenon lamps with pulses of 1.0 and 1.4 s and energy density ranging from 125 to 175 J/cm2. As revealed, the PT initiates the formation of a thin surface layer with an inhomogeneous nanocrystalline structure and an arbitrary nanocrystals orientation. The volume of material manifests a large-block textured crystalline structure with the original elemental and phase compositions formed during the extrusion. Thereby, a gradient nanostructured region composed of nano-sized and large Bi2Te3 – хSeх crystals with tunneling contacts is formed in the process of PT. We revealed that the PT changes the material bandgap slightly, decreases the concentration of charge carriers, increasing their mobility. The scattering of carriers and photons on linear defects dominates in a wide temperature range in the studied samples. Thereby, the figure of merit rise s by 8 % after PT, due to a decrease in the phonon component of thermal conductivity.

The article is devoted to the technological features of testing technical specialists of production processes in the framework of mixed or remote testing, and also highlights the issues of satisfaction with the testing process implemented during the coronavirus pandemic. Remote and mixed testing contribute to improving the organizational competence of technical specialists of production processes using high educational potentials of digital resources.

The article considers the actual topic of using a computerized educational environment through an interactive whiteboard in the process of training specialists in the field of materials science and aerospace engineering at a university. The use of technical teaching aids in practical classes is becoming very common in modern educational practice. It allows the educational process to be carried out in new conditions, when the teacher ceases to be the only source of information for students. The article reveals the possibilities of using an interactive whiteboard in practical classes, provides examples of the use of this learning tool when studying certain topics from a physics course.

The phase and structural transformations that Pd–Ru(7 at %) solid solution thin films undergo during thermal oxidation in oxygen in the temperature range 570–1070 K are studied by transmission electron microscopy, high-energy electron diffraction, and reflection high-energy electron diffraction. With increasing oxidation temperature, the phase composition is found to change in the order: Pd–Ru(7 at %) solid solution → Pd–Ru(7 at %) + PdO + RuO2 → PdO + RuO2 → PdO–RuO2 solid solution. We show that the complete oxidation of Pd–Ru(7 at.%) thin films to form single-phase films of the PdO–RuO2 solid solution takes place at a temperature of 100 K higher compared to pure palladium films. The resistance sensor response of the prepared PdO−RuO2 oxide films to ozone in air is studied for the first time. The results suggest that this is a promising material for use in gas-sensing applications.

Recrystallization of thin polycrystalline films of Au, Pt, and Pd obtained by thermal evaporation and condensation in a vacuum on silicon plates that are not warmed up and are coated on both sides with silicon oxide has been studied by transmission electron microscopy. It has been established that the rate of normal grain growth in such films is higher upon photon treatment by the radiation of power xenon lamps (spectral region of 0.2–1.2 μm) than upon heat treatment. A quantitative estimate of the effect revealed indicates a change in the mechanism of the process that controls migration of grain boundaries. The effect is connected with the possible activation of hypersonic waves owing to the coexistence of phonon and electron excitations localized in nanosized regions of metallic films.

Based on experimental studies of solid-phase processes with photonic activation, a hypersonic mechanism was proposed for local excitation decay in crystals. This mechanism can occur in photocatalytic and cavitation processes, as well as at the step of detonation in explosives and in the structural rearrangements of crystals irradiated with light fluxes.