Epoxy foam/aerogel materials (EP-AGs) have potential in the aerospace, construction, and energy industries, allowing the development of lightweight high-performance products for a wide range of applications. Research interest in developing EP-AGs is increasing as it has the potential to create greener and more sustainable materials for making various products. Several commercial applications of EP-AGs and techniques for creating, processing, and drying them have already been reported. The introduction of EP-AGs into value-added materials is one of the most promising options but suffers from a lack of knowledge about the relationships between microstructure and properties. The current obstacles to their use in the industrial sector and for applications and challenges related to factory scale-up are also taken into account. EP-AGs are hindered by critical gaps in applicational and processing complexity, such as scaling up from laboratory to large-scale production, optimizing synthesis and processing techniques, and developing standardized testing protocols. The review focuses on the processing complexities and further difficulties associated with EP-AGs to improve casting burdens, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility in various applications. This review also examines the challenges in synthesizing EP-AGs used to make special materials, their practices, and the technological barriers one would face. © 2025 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.

The continuing anthropogenic pollution of the Ile River occurs both by transboundary runoff and as a result of discharges of industrial, agricultural, and domestic wastewater on the territory of Kazakhstan. With this amount of pollution, the river’s capacity for self-purification is very limited, and in some cases practically exhausted. Hydrochemical and toxic indicators in the Ile River basin were analyzed based on water sampling from the Chinese–Kazakh border station to 37 km downstream of the hydroelectric power plants (HPPs). Heavy metals were determined by flame AAS methods. The self-purification capacity (SPC) was determined for cadmium by 28–81%, copper 15–66%, zinc 22–37%, and cobalt 5–9% while the nickel self-purification of water did not occur. The SPC was influenced by the Kapshagai reservoir. The identified main regularities of the anthropogenic transformation of water quality and self-purification capacity of the river will help both in solving the problems of river pollution and in the development of necessary measures aimed at the protection of water resources from pollution and depletion. © 2025 by the authors

Microbial engineering has made a significant breakthrough in pharmaceutical biotechnology, greatly expanding the production of biologically active compounds, therapeutic proteins, and novel drug candidates. Recent advancements in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and adaptive evolution have contributed to the optimization of microbial strains for pharmaceutical applications, playing a crucial role in enhancing their productivity and stability. The CRISPR-Cas system is widely utilized as a precise genome modification tool, enabling the enhancement of metabolite biosynthesis and the activation of synthetic biological pathways. Additionally, synthetic biology approaches allow for the targeted design of microorganisms with improved metabolic efficiency and therapeutic potential, thereby accelerating the development of new pharmaceutical products. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) plays a vital role in further advancing microbial engineering by predicting metabolic network interactions, optimizing bioprocesses, and accelerating the drug discovery process. However, challenges such as the efficient optimization of metabolic pathways, ensuring sustainable industrial-scale production, and meeting international regulatory requirements remain critical barriers in the field. Furthermore, to mitigate potential risks, it is essential to develop stringent biocontainment strategies and implement appropriate regulatory oversight. This review comprehensively examines recent innovations in microbial engineering, analyzing key technological advancements, regulatory challenges, and future development perspectives. © 2025 by the authors.

The study investigates the current state, floristic composition, and ecological characteristics of Gentiana tianschanica populations in the Ile-Alatau region, part of the Ile-Alatau National Park, Kazakhstan. Gentiana L., an ancient boreal genus, includes 31 species in Kazakhstan, such as the endemic Gentiana dschungarica. Known for medicinal uses, especially for gastrointestinal and urogenital disorders, interest in gentians has risen for ornamental and pharmacological applications. Nine natural populations of G. tianschanica were studied in diverse ecological and phytocoenotic conditions of the Ile-Alatau mountains. Soil analyses revealed significant differences in the physicochemical properties of the species' habitats. In the Kimasar Gorge, mountain-meadow chestnut soils with a light loamy texture were observed, while the Big Almaty Gorge featured dark chestnut soils rich in humus (7.36–18.78%) and nutrients such as nitrogen (120.4–140.0 mg/kg), phosphorus (58–98 mg/kg), and potassium (470–1000 mg/kg). These findings emphasize the species ’adaptation to varying altitudinal and climatic zones. Phytochemical analysis showed G. tianschanica is rich in bioactive compounds, including phenolics, bitter glycosides, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Total phenol content reached 1567.17–9008.20 mg of gallic acid/100 g, with the highest levels in leaves. Flavonoids (up to 1358.25 mg catechin/100 g) and vitamin C (up to 244.7 mg/100 g) were significant. Syringic acid (1685.8 mg/100 g), quercetin (317.4 mg/100 g), and chlorogenic acid (237.5 mg/100 g) highlighted antioxidant and antiinflammatory potential. The antioxidant activity, particularly in leaves, reached 530.30 mg Trolox/100 g. Anthropogenic threats, including overgrazing and habitat disturbance, have led to declining populations, necessitating conservation strategies like habitat monitoring, protective regimes, and sustainable medicinal plant use. This study underscores the ecological and phytochemical significance of G. tianschanica, which is vital for biodiversity conservation and pharmaceutical development. © 2024, Engineered Science Publisher. All rights reserved.

Industrial robots cover most of the field of technology and are most successfully applied in machining, in motion modelling, in capturing and moving objects of research. In recent times, the complexity and variety of industrial robots and robotic manipulators have increased significantly. These are purposefully designed to attain a much greater level of independence than what is seen in conventional mechanical manipulators. In this article the classification of different configurations of manipulators and analysis of manipulators with artificial vision on the existing research of scientists is conducted. Also, the article analyzes the development of a manipulator with six degrees of freedom and the use of analytical methods to analyze the geometric structure of 3D data for optimal object recognition. © 2024 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.

This paper provides geospatial and correlation analysis of heavy metal distribution in the soil cover of the city of Temirtau and its industrial zones. Based on 25 soil samples taken in 2024, concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Ba) were determined using X-ray fluorescence analysis. Spatial data interpolation was performed using the Kriging method in the ArcGIS Pro environment. The results showed the presence of localized extreme pollution zones, primarily near the Qarmet JSC metallurgical plant. The most significant exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), up to 348× MPC for Cr, 160× MPC for Zn, and 72× MPC for As, were recorded at individual locations. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between several elements, particularly Mn and Cu (r = 0.64). Comparison of the spatial distribution of pollution with population data allowed for the assessment of potential environmental risks. This research emphasizes the need to implement systematic monitoring, sustainable land management practices, ecological maps, and preventive measures to reduce the long-term impact of heavy metals on ecosystems and public health, and to promote environmental sustainability in industrial regions. © 2025 by the authors.

The object of research is the technology of opening and development of wells of underground uranium leaching. The purpose of the work is to increase the efficiency of borehole uranium mining by developing rational drilling parameters and developing the near– well zone of the formation, depending on the hydrogeological characteristics of the productive horizon. At the same time, a reduction in the time for drilling and development of wells is achieved, an increase in labor productivity, technological equipment, as well as a reduction in material costs for restoration work. The research methods include the development and justification of effective parameters for the opening of productive formations by the rotational method of drilling with backwash, depending on the properties of ores and characteristics of washing solutions at the uranium deposit of the Shu-Sarysu depression. The parameters of development are selected and discussed depending on the hydrogeological characteristics of productive formations for the preparation of geotechnological wells for operation. The results of the research are the study of processes during the construction and development of geotechnological wells, the reasons for the decrease in filtration characteristics of ores of the productive horizon. The effective parameters of the opening of productive layers of underground uranium leaching with the use of a special drilling method have been calculated, which exclude the clogging of the productive horizon with drilling fluids at the stage of well construction. The possibility of reducing the time for borehole penetration and development by eliminating the impact of drilling mud and drilling products on the aquifer productive horizon is discussed. A method of selecting the depth of the pressure sleeve depending on the hydrogeological characteristics of the ores of the deposit has been developed. The scientific novelty is expressed in the justification of the effective parameters of the opening and development of productive formations using rotary drilling with backwash, depending on the hydrogeological characteristics of ores. The practical significance of the study lies in the high efficiency and applicability of the considered method of opening and developing the productive horizon in the construction of technological wells in areas with a high content of clay minerals and low filtration characteristics. © 2022, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.

In the scientific research work, the process of neutralization and cleaning of microorganisms harmful to human health found in surface water with an ozonator device based on a pilot electric discharge is considered. A pilot ozonator based on a special high-frequency electric discharge has been developed for disinfection and cleaning of harmful microorganisms found in surface water. In order to conduct practical tests on scientific research work, special water was taken from the Ili floodplain and an examination of the water composition was carried out. According to the results of the examination, various painful microorganisms were found in the composition of the source water that do not meet the maximum permissible concentration (MPC). Effective economic indicators of ozone content (mg/l), contact time (t, minutes) and the like were determined for disinfection and removal of microorganisms from the water composition. In addition, an algorithm for theoretical calculations for the destruction of harmful microorganisms in 1m3 surface water was compiled and a mathematical model was given. © 2024, Zibeline International Publishing Sdn. Bhd.. All rights reserved.

Arid regions in Central Asia face persistent and increasing water scarcity, with groundwater serving as the primary source for drinking water, irrigation, and industry. The effective exploration and management of groundwater resources are critical, but are constrained by limited monitoring infrastructure and complex hydrogeological settings. This study investigates the Akbakay aquifer, a representative area within Central Asia with challenging hydrogeological conditions, to delineate potential zones for fresh groundwater exploration. A multi-criteria decision analysis was conducted by integrating the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), supported by remote sensing datasets. To address the subjectivity of weight assignment, the AHP results were further validated using Monte Carlo simulations and fuzzy logic aggregation (Fuzzy Gamma). The integrated approach revealed stable high-suitability groundwater zones that consistently stand out across deterministic, probabilistic, and fuzzy assessments, thereby improving the reliability of the groundwater potential mapping. The findings demonstrate the applicability of combined AHP–GIS methods enhanced with uncertainty analysis for sustainable groundwater resource management in data-scarce arid regions of Central Asia. © 2025 by the authors.

Water resources are scarce and difficult to manage in Kazakhstan, Central Asia (CA). Anthropic activities largely eliminated the Aral Sea. Afghanistan’s large-scale canal construction may eliminate life in the main stream of the Amu Darya River, CA. Kazakhstan’s HYRASIA ONE project, with a EUR 50 billion investment to produce green hydrogen, is targeted to withdraw water from the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan, CA, requires sustainable programs that integrate both decision-makers’ and people’s behavior. For this paper, the authors investigated groundwater resources for sustainable use, including for consumption, and the potential for natural “white” hydrogen production from underground geological “factories”. Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, such as iron-rich rocks, minerals, and uranium, which are necessary for serpentinization reactions and radiolysis decay in natural hydrogen production from underground water. Investigations of underground geological “factories” require substantial efforts in field data collection. A chemical analysis of 40 groundwater samples from the 97 wells surveyed and investigated in the T. Ryskulov, Zhambyl, Baizak and Zhualy districts of the Zhambyl region in South Kazakhstan in 2021–2022 was carried out. These samples were compared with previously collected water samples from the years 2020–2021. The compositions of groundwater samples were analyzed, revealing various concentrations of different minerals, natural geological rocks, and anthropogenic materials. South Kazakhstan is rich in natural mineral resources. As a result, mining companies extract resources in the Taraz–Zhanatas–Karatau and the Shu–Novotroitsk industrial areas. The most significant levels of minerals found in water samples were found in the territory of the Talas–Assinsky interfluve, where the main industrial mining enterprises are concentrated and the largest groundwater deposits have been explored. Groundwater compositions have direct connections to geological rocks. The geological rocks are confined to sandstones, siltstones, porphyrites, conglomerates, limestones, and metamorphic rocks. In observation wells, a number of components can be found in high concentrations (mg/L): sulfates—602.0 (MPC 500 mg/L); sodium—436.5 (MPC 200 mg/L); chlorine—465.4 (MPC 350 mg/L); lithium—0.18 (MPC 0.03 mg/L); boron—0.74 (MPC 0.5 mg/L); cadmium—0.002 (MPC 0.001 mg/L); strontium—15, 0 (MPC 7.0 mg/L); and TDS—1970 (MPC 1000). The high mineral contents in the water are natural and comprise minerals from geological sources, including iron-rich rocks, to uranium. Proper groundwater classifications for research investigations are required to separate potable groundwater resources, wells, and areas where underground geological “factories” producing natural “white” hydrogen could potentially be located. Our preliminary investigation results are presented with the aim of creating a large-scale targeted program to improve water sustainability in Kazakhstan, CA. © 2024 by the authors.