This work is devoted to experimental and theoretical studies of the sputtering of electrodes in an arc discharge. The temperature distribution in the working chamber during arc discharge is analyzed depending on the discharge current. On the basis of experimental data on the anode sublimation and interelectrode distance, a fan jet is simulated, which is generated during the anode sputtering in an arc discharge. The calculation is carried out using the model describing the processes occurring in the arc plasma, jet propagation, transport of particles by the jet and their ionization. The numerical simulation results for the radial temperature distribution are consistent with the experimental data. The experiments show that an increase in the discharge current leads to an increase in the concentration of fullerenes and graphite structures in the soot. Based on the simulation data, it is shown that this effect is a result of the longer residence time of growing carbon particles in a high-temperature zone (1000-2800 K) at high arc discharge currents.

Within the framework of this work, the process of heat distribution in a multilayer composite consisting of a copper substrate, PET/EVA polymer and graphene was investigated during the thermoacoustic effect. A theoretical model was formed, on the basis of which the temperature distribution over the surface of polymer-graphene samples was obtained. The values of temperatures to which the graphene film is heated in one heating period are calculated.

Using the plasma method of electric arc spraying in helium at pressure of 25 Torr, Mg-Al-C nanocomposites were obtained, which, when calcined, form hollow spherical nanoparticles of aluminum and magnesium dialuminate oxides with sizes of 20 and 80 nm, respectively, and aluminum nanoparticles with a size of 70 nm coated with an oxide layer. The latter ones presence in the electric arc soot is explained by the droplet material entrainment from the evaporating electrode surface. It is shown that the arc discharge is not effective for the formation of alloys of materials with significantly different saturated vapor pressures, but it can be effectively used to create nanoparticles with a shell-core structure.

We discuss the results of gravimetric and satellite geodetic measurements at the Zapolyarnoye and Yamburgskoye gas and oil deposits in Transpolar Western Siberia in subarctic zone of Yamal-Nenets autonomous okrug. The development of mineral deposits and large number of pipelines require monitoring of recent motions of the Earth’s surface. Displacements and other phenomenon were studied by satellite geodesy and absolute gravimetry. It is now possible to obtain the kinematic parameters (rates of subsidence and horizontal motion) and addition information on fluid motion into the layers of the deposits. The ground displacements rate in different short periods recorded at large man-made objects are shown. Rates for hydroobjects are estimated at 5 mm/yr. The gravimetry and satellite geodesy results obtained at the Zapolyarnoye deposit in the northern part of Western Siberia were analyzed. Subsidence rates of 21–23 mm/yr were estimated. An increase in gravity of up to 7 µGal were recorded at the deposits (2006–2008). In this case, the increased gravity is related to surface subsidence (with a normal vertical gradient). Subsidence rates of 16–21 mm/yr were estimated at the Yamburgskoye field. This result is consistent with the rates at Zapolyarnoye. The horizontal rates and orientation differed at different deposits.

This paper presents a comparison of chemical and plasma electrolyte polishing methods for preparing a copper substrate for graphene synthesis by chemical vapour deposition. It is shown that in order to achieve the most uniform morphology of the surface of the copper substrate, it is preferable to use the electrolyte-plasma polishing method. With its help, the proportion of multilayer regions in the graphene coating obtained as a result of CVD synthesis decreases. The obtained results may serve a recommendation for creating a graphene coating with specified parameters.

This paper addresses the capabilities of quartz tidal tiltmeters and different methods for their calibration, describing measurements of modern deformations and tidal and anthropogenic motions. Periodic thermal and anthropogenic variations in ground-based pedestal tilts (depth of 0–5 m) are estimated. Measurements in the vicinity of the water reservoir of the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station (HPS) showed that pedestal tilt angles reach 20–40 arcsec as a result of deformation of the ground surface due to changes in the reservoir load (water level variation 3–4 m). In the area of the Ust-Balykskii oil and gas field (Western Siberia), the annual tilt variations range from 8 to 90 arcsec. These variations, as well as short-term tilt changes up to 1 arcsec, are due to the oil and gas production operations, which cause buildings to sway in the city of Nefteyugansk. Tilt measurements were performed in deep adits of the Talaya seismic station (Lake Baikal Region, Russia) and the Walferdange observatory (Luxembourg). Based on these measurements, tidal deformations of the Earth, long-term variations in tilts, and coseismic deformations can be estimated. Based on tilt monitoring data at the Talaya seismic station from 1985 to 2015, tidal parameters were estimated and compared with models of the Earth’s tidal deformations to recognize some particularities (phase shift 9°) related to structural specificities of the region. The long-term tilt measurement data were analyzed using elastic and viscoelastic models of the Earth’s crust. It was found that an efficient estimate of viscosity in a deep-fault zone is 1019 Pa s and that of stress variation in the Earth’s crust is 0.5 MPa. These effective estimates can be used in modeling tectonic, anthropogenic, coseismic, and post-seismic processes.

The formation of single-layer and multilayer graphene by chemical vapor deposition has been studied experimentally. The structures of coatings formed at different temperatures and compositions of the gas mixture have been analyzed. Regimes for transferring graphene structures to various substrates have been developed. Transparent flexible conductive polyethylene terephthalate–ethylene vinyl acetate–graphene and polymethylmethacrylate–graphene composites have been obtained.

Adit-based linear strain measurements made with strainmeters 1 to 100 m long allow oscillation processes to be studied in a wide range: from a few tens of hertz to several years. Both seismic waves from earthquakes and long-period oscillatory signals are recorded, related to tectonic processes. The paper describes measurements made with rod and laser strain metering systems in an adit of the Talaya seismic station (coordinates 51.68° N, 103.65° E, Lake Baikal Region). The elastic moduli of rocks were evaluated using strainmeter, microbarograph data, and petrophysical core analysis. The Earth’s integral rheological parameters, through the Earth’s free and tidal oscillations, are calculated. Our findings are in good agreement with modern models of the Earth’s internal structure. The paper describes coseismic and long-term volumetric strain variations induced by large regional earthquakes.

In this paper, we studied the dependence of adhesion between CVD graphene and copper substrate on different crystallographic orientations of copper grains. It was determined that the adhesion between graphene and copper surface increases for grains with low-index crystallographic orientations. This phenomenon is explained by the surface microrelief formation during the crystallization of the copper surface layer, molten at the stage of annealing and graphene growth. During the liquid layer cooling and crystallizing, partial exfoliation of graphene from the copper surface occurs. Graphene exfoliation leads to an increase in defectiveness of the graphene layer. However, graphene peeling from copper grains with high-index crystallographic orientations can significantly reduce damage to graphene during the transfer process to a polymer surface.

In this work, we have studied the characteristics of a heater based on single-layer graphene obtained by CVD using methane as the carbon precursor and using copper as a catalytic substrate. Synthesized graphene was transferred onto an EVA/PET substrate using a heat press printing method. A theoretical model of heating a polycrystalline graphene film was developed. The temperature gradients in graphene crystallites were estimated based on the model. It was shown that local overheating of graphene crystallite boundaries is the main cause of damage for the graphene-based heater. In order to enhance the power of graphene heaters, it is necessary to reduce the size of 2D graphene crystallites that make up the coating.

The article presents a comparison of two methods of transferring single-layer graphene onto silicon substrates using poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and thermo-adhesive tape. The continuity of the transferred coating and the quality of the graphene film after the transfer stage were investigated. An analysis of the contaminants formed during the transfer of the graphene surface is carried out. It is shown that when using PMMA for transfer, heating of the samples leads to their damage due to thermal expansion and the formation of indelible impurities on the surface.

Tidal ocean corrections for gravity observation play an important part in monitoring studies. Tidal ocean models were tested by Transcontinental Tidal Gravity Profile (TTGP) results. This part of the global tidal network was used for study the influence of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans up to coastline. Our tidal result agrees with static theory and had a weak ocean dynamic influence (Schiwiderski and other models) into the center of the Eurasian continent. Near the coast, where ocean effects were strong, the influence increases. In the East part of TTGP, we obtained observation results for Khabarovsk region, for Sakhalin Island and for Primorye region (Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan). In the South part of the Primorye observation (Russian Far East) long-term measurement was completed at the Posyet Bay level station and Cape Shultz gravity station. Based on the results, a selection of ocean tidal models was made and a number of unresolved issues were determined.

The plasmon resonance phenomenon occurring in the system of graphene-polymer-nanoparticles of an alloy of gold and silver is investigated. The possibility of controlling the attenuation of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation passing through the sample by changing the composition and thickness of the deposited coating is shown. For the investigated gold and silver alloy nanoparticles, the highest degree of radiation attenuation falls on the wavelength range from 400 to 600 nm. It was shown that by changing the composition of the nanoparticles (changing the ratio of gold and silver in the alloy), it is possible to achieve the maximum selective light attenuation by more than 2.5 times in the 500 nm region. In the 700 nm region, light attenuation by not more than 2 times is achieved. It was revealed that the use of films with different metal ratios allows us to shift the position of plasmon absorption in the entire visible wavelength range.

The annealing regimes of copper foil with various degrees of purity in a hydrogen atmosphere are experimentally investigated. The regimes are obtained for the case when a copper texture with the crystallographic orientation (001) is formed during short-term annealing in a hydrogen atmosphere, while the characteristic scale of copper grains is up to 0.2 mm, as well as the regimes are obtained for the case when a (111) texture with a grain size of the order of a centimeter is formed. The analysis of synthesized graphene on different surfaces shows that under identical conditions a monolayer with a small number of defects is formed on the crystallographic plane (001); a monolayer coating with inclusions of two and three-layer graphene is formed on the crystallographic plane (111).

This paper is a continuation of a series of our investigation of the morphological and anatomical structure of the cypselas of the family Asteraceae. The article presents the results of an investigation of the morphological and anatomical structure of the cypselas of 6 species of the genus Olgaea Iljin of the tribe Cardueae Cass. (O. baldschuanica (C. Winkl.) Iljin, O. leucophylla (Turcz.) Iljin, O. lomonossowii (Trautv.) Iljin, O. nidulans (Rupr.) Iljin, O. pectinata Iljin, O. tangutica Iljin) by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The carpological examination of the cypselas revealed specific features of the species of the genus Olgaea: the shape of the cypsela, the sculpture of the surface of the pericarp, the absence (or presence) crowns and carpopodium, the ratio of the thickness of the pericarp and exotesta, the number of rows and the nature of thickening of the walls of mesocarp cells, the presence or absence of endocarp, the shape and size of exotesta cells, the coefficient of their palisade (the ratio of the length of the radial walls to the length of the tangent). Cypsela of Olgaea species have significant differences, which indicates the heterogeneity of the genus and the need for its revision. Based on the data obtained and the previously published results of the study (Novozhilova, Boyko, 2019), a comparative analysis of the morphological and anatomical features of the cypsela of representatives of the genera Olgaea and Alfredia Cass. was carried out, which revealed the main differences in the structure of the cypsela of these two genera. It was found that the cypsela Olgaea and Alfredia have different structures, and therefore it is inappropriate to combine them into one genus.

The paper presents the technique of qualitative assessment of the strength of graphene layers adhesion to the surface of a copper substrate, where they are formed. The technique uses a complex of approved analytical methods: electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The technique was tested on multilayer graphene grown on a copper grain with crystal orientation (111). The presented method can be used to assess the effectiveness of the methods of graphene transfer from grains with different crystal orientation.

In the work presented, the polymer-graphene-gold composites obtained by the methods of chemical vapor deposition and pulsed laser ablation (PLA) are studied. The morphological and optical properties of the given samples are studied in detail. It is shown that with an increase in the number of laser pulses in the PLA method, the metal coating transforms from separate small gold particles to a continuous cover with the presence of large nanoparticles. It is shown that a change in the gold film thickness influences significantly the efficiency of plasmon attenuation of a signal: with an increase in the average mass thickness, the effect increases and reaches its maximal value at film thickness of 6 nm. It is shown that the most intense plasmon absorption occurs in the wavelength range from 550 to 750 nm. A further increase in the thickness of metal coating decreases sample transparency in the studied range and does not affect the intensity of plasmon absorption and scattering.

The influence of orientation of copper crystal on the processes of methane decomposition and the growth of graphene layers is studied in this paper. It is shown that crystal nucleus growth rate and coating formation rate are different on copper grains with different crystal orientation. Maximum coating formation rates are recorded for 110 planes. Maximum crystal growth rate and maximum size of graphene single crystals in a film are observed for 100 plane. The difference in the growth rates of the graphene coating is explained by the difference in the kinetics of decomposition of methane and the diffusion rates on surfaces with different crystal orientation.

Multilayer graphene was processed under the conditions of glowing gas discharge in the presence of a central spherical electrode in atmospheres of nitrogen, hydrogen, and air. It is shown that in the case of hydrogen, the most active interaction with plasma-forming gas occurs at positive polarity on the central electrode in atmospheres of nitrogen and air with negative central electrode. In N2 and air atmospheres with negative polarity of the central electrode, the electrode material is actively sprayed due to ion bombardment and it is deposited on the processed graphene materials.

The defects formed at transfer of graphene layers from a copper substrate using a PET/EVA thermoplastic were analyzed. It is shown that the damages of graphene layer occur at the stage of thermal sintering of samples and mechanical separation of copper. A method for stabilizing the copper foil and polymer substrate, which makes it possible to minimize the mechanical defects at sample separation, is proposed. The transfer process for the PET/EVA system was optimized by the sintering temperature. The PET/EVA-graphene composites with the resistance of 1.5–8 kΩ/□ were obtained using single-layer and few-layer CVD graphene at transfer.