Solar thermochemical CeO2-based H2O splitting cycle was thermodynamically analyzed to ascertain the optimal thermal reduction (TH) and re-oxidation (TL) temperatures and evaluate the solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency (ηsolar−to−fuel) of the cycle. The equilibrium composition of CeO2, CeO1.72, CeO1.83 and O2 exhibited that the thermal reduction initiated at 1400 K thereby attaining 100 % TR at 2734 K. The observed variations in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) correspond to the feasibility of the re-oxidation step of CeO1.83 and CeO1.72 at 1050 K and 1200 K respectively. It was reported that the absorption efficiency of solar reactor (ηabs−solar−reactor−WS) decreases from 95.6 % to 37 %, as the TH increases from 1400 K to 2734 K. The results show that ηsolar−to−fuel reached the maximum value of 7.45 % for CeO1.72 and 7.69 % for CeO1.83 at 61.72 % TR of CeO2 without heat recuperation. Further, the ηsolar−to−fuel attained the maximum value of 14.92 % and 13.54 % for CeO1.83 and CeO1.72, respectively at the %TR of CeO2 of 80 % with 50 % heat recuperation. The solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency (ηsolar−to−fuel) further can be increased with the optimization of oxygen partial pressure (PO) and molar flow rate of reduction regents (Ar or N2). © 2023

Considerable interest in food packaging research has been prompted by the rising environmental impact of waste, customer awareness for readily accessible foods with extended shelf life, and ecological consciousness about the scarcity of natural resources. The utilization of plastic-based food packaging has resulted in a significant environmental concern due to the accumulation of substantial quantities of plastic in the surrounding areas. Research efforts are being motivated by ecological and health considerations in the pursuit of developing biodegradable films. Besides, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been suggested as a possible substitute for petroleum-based polymers because of its sustainability, simple accessibility, and biodegradability. PLA is a biodegradable plastic made from sugar beet or maize starch that may be fermented by bacteria to generate material with desirable qualities like transparency and rigidity. However, there is a need for further improvement in certain properties of PLA, such as flexibility, toughness, permeability, and thermal properties. One potential approach for enhancing these attributes involves the integration of nano-reinforcement. The utilisation of nanocellulose derived from biomass has garnered significant interest in recent times owing to its renewable nature, ability to biodegrade, impressive mechanical strength, low density, and considerable economic worth. In this study, we present a comprehensive overview of the most up-to-date methods for synthesising nanocellulose and its use as a filler material in the manufacture of PLA nanocomposites for food packaging. In addition, this study examines the emerging challenges and potential advantages associated with the utilization of PLA biocomposites incorporated with nanocellulose in the food packaging sector. © The Author(s) 2024.

In this work, we report a detailed scheme of computational optimization of solar cell structures and parameters using PC1D and AFORS-HET codes. Each parameter’s influence on the properties of the components of heterojunction silicon-based solar cells (HIT) has been thoroughly examined. The proposed approach follows a stringent sequence of steps to optimize various parameters of the studied HITs. Furthermore, we have revealed the effects of the metal-semiconductor contact, and a model of a photocell with an ohmic contact and a Schottky contact has been simulated. The optimal model of HIT for available materials has been proposed and fabricated based on the results of these simulations. A comparison of predicted and measured performance unequivocally demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed scheme in developing silicon-based HITs, providing reassurance about its practical application. © 2024 by the authors.

The study aims to apply innovative geodetic technologies in urban area surveying and develop GIS for urban land use information support. Research methodology – cadastral support of urban areas is achieved through geodetic works using modern technologies (satellite, electronic, and laser devices) and developing GIS to simplify data collection and processing of land and urban objects. Results of the study. The article examines modern technologies for field and desk cadastral works. It highlights the connection of geodetic methods with spatial and geometric modeling for territorial development and cadastral analysis. Scientific novelty. The study has developed and improved: • innovative geodetic technologies for various urban applications; • GIS concepts and geodata database structures for land users in small towns like Konaev and Alatau; • algorithms and programs for key GIS components in the MapInfo environment; • a methodology for creating thematic GIS for urban land use information support. The novelty of the documents is confirmed by the Certificates of the Republic of Kazakhstan for copyright No. 52586 dated December 12, 2024, for a scientific work. Practical significance lies in using the research results in dissertations, the educational process of Satbayev University, and by city authorities and commercial organizations to enhance management decisions and improve land use efficiency. © 2025, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The reduction of fresh water deficit and water-related morbidity is the most important problem of the state’s national security. The effective treatment of natural water in industrialized areas from natural and anthropogenic pollutants is the main ecological task. Coagulation is one of the effective methods used to treat water chemically to purify it. Aluminum polyoxychlorides have gained popularity because of their advantages over coagulants—aluminum and iron sulfates. No production of aluminum polyoxychloride occurs in Kazakhstan despite the need for coagulants (the minimum need is assessed at about 11 thousand tons). The work is aimed at theoretical justification and experimental proof of a principally new approach to the development of aluminum polyoxychloride production technology based on activated aluminum alloys containing metal activators, such as gallium, indium, and tin from 0.5 to 5 percent weight. In addition, the goal is solving environmental issues associated with improving the drinking water quality and related to environmental pollution with wastewater. METHODS: The microstructures, phase components, and elemental compositions of alloys and reaction products were studied by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The thermal effects of alloys were investigated usin thermogravimetry methods. Oil content in wastewater was determined by spectrophotometry. Oil particle dimensions and wastewater zero potentials were determined using electrophoretic light scattering method and residual turbidity by turbidimetry. Water quality assessment was included in the purified water analysis and comparison with the sanitary and epidemiological standards established for drinking water supply and wastewater intended for water discharge. FINDINGS: The structures and compositions of activated aluminum alloy containing metal activators - gallium, indium, and tin - from 0.5 to 5 weight percent and aluminum polyoxychlorides based on it were studied using modern instrumental methods. The efficiency of the treatment of natural and oilcontaminated wastewater with aluminum polyoxychloride was assessed. The treated water parameters were within the norms established for drinking water supply and wastewater disposal by Sanitary Rules and Norms 2.1.4.559-96. The efficiency of potable water treatment reached 90–99 percent. CONCLUSION: An effective and technologically simple method is developed for producing aluminum polyoxychloride. It involves dissolving an activated alloy in 1–5 percent hydrochloric acid, with an aluminum content of 98.5–85 percent. Alloy processing is carried out at temperatures ranging from 60 to 65 degree celsius. The temperature rises from 20 to 25 degree celsius to the specified optimum without heat supply from the outside due to the interaction among reagents. The process is completed in 2–3 hours. The results confirm that aluminum polyoxychloride is an effective coagulant for drinking and wastewater treatment. The treated water is within the established limits in terms of hydrogen potential, chemical oxygen demand, and turbidity. The water treatment method can be easily implemented. © This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

The relevance of the examined problem is connected with the necessity to develop measures to combat conductor galloping and the design of power transmission lines (ETL). The purpose of the research – to analyse statistical observation data on conductor galloping and apply a mathematical model to determine the parameters of galloping, to develop effective measures to combat conductor galloping and to improve the design of power lines. A sophisticated mathematical model was developed using Mathcad software to analyze conductor galloping in overhead power lines. This model, based on the equations of motion, predicts various galloping parameters under different conditions such as wind speed, span length, and initial mechanical stress. Time diagrams were constructed to represent linear and torsional motions, revealing correlations between amplitudes and frequencies. A comprehensive statistical analysis was performed on wire characteristics and split phase parameters to evaluate their impact on galloping patterns. Numerical methods, including the Runge-Kutta method, were employed to solve the equations and compute time-dependent behaviors. Results were visualized through graphs and diagrams to facilitate interpretation. The results revealed that conductor galloping occurs at wind speeds between 5 to 18 m/s, with significant occurrences at temperatures from 0°C to-10°C. The study identified that conductor galloping occurs within a wind velocity range of 5 to 13 m/s, predominantly with wind orientations between 30˚ and 90˚. The analysis showed that the frequency of galloping closely matches the natural oscillation frequency at low wind speeds but diverges with increasing wind speed and span length. These findings provide insights into the conditions under which conductor galloping is likely to occur and can inform design and operational strategies for overhead power lines. © 2024, Diponegoro university Indonesia - Center of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE). All rights reserved.

This study investigates phase transformations in copper-tellurium-containing middlings during vacuum-thermal processing at pressures of 0.066 and 13.3 kPa. It was found that at 0.066 kPa, industrial copper telluride undergoes oxidation through intermediate compounds to Cu3TeO6, which decomposes at 900°C via CuTeO3 into CuO and TeO2. At 13.3 kPa, the formation of CuTeO3 through the Cu3TeO6 was not observed. Technological tests showed the feasibility of tellurium recovery by the vacuum-thermal method in an inert atmosphere without additional reagents. It was found that reduced pressure and elevated temperature positively influenced the degree of tellurium transfer into the condensate. The highest recovery rates were achieved at 1100°C: 98.70% at 0.066 kPa and 96.79% at 0.133 kPa. The residual Te content in residues amounted to 0.72% and 1.62%, respectively. The findings expand scientific understanding of the thermal behavior of industrial copper telluride under vacuum conditions and provide a foundation for developing a new environmentally friendly method of processing tellurium-containing middlings. The creation of new technologies enhances the extraction efficiency of tellurium while reducing ecological risks. © 2025 Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC. Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

The research goal of these studies was to monitor ground deformations for Almaty city during 2017–2023 and determine the spatial relationships with faults and tectonic plate boundaries. The small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) was deployed for the interferometric measurements of ground deformations using Sentinel-1 radar satellite images. Distinct deformation patterns were observed from both sides of the tectonic plate boundary, indicating a standard faulting process. Identical deformation trends were observed from south to north, forming three transition zones from subsidence to uplift and subsidence again. The spatial relationship between faults and ground deformations was also observed in the transition zone with a densely built-up area subject to gradual surface declination with potential risks to infrastructure. Five incidents of building and bridge deformations with subsiding cumulative trends were observed in the same location. Most subsiding areas were in Zone 1, with maximum annual subsidence velocity and cumulative displacement of − 57 mm/y and – 399, respectively. In contrast, most uplifting areas were primarily in Zone 2, with maximum yearly uplift velocity and cumulative displacement of 40 mm/y and 254 mm, respectively, and mixed deformation patterns in Zone 3. These vertical movements in Almaty verify active tectonic plate activity that should be integrated into city risk assessment plans. Copyright © 2024 Bayramov, Sydyk, Nurakynov, Yelisseyeva, Neafie and Aliyeva.

Extensive flooding swept across large areas of Central Asia, mainly over Kazakhstan and southwestern Russia, from late March to April 2024. It was reported to be the worst flooding in the area in the past 70 years and caused widespread devastation to society and infrastructure. However, the drivers of this record-breaking flood remain unexplored. Here, we show that the record-breaking floods were contributed by both long-term climate warming and interannual variability, with multiple climatic drivers at play across the synoptic to seasonal timescales. First, the heavy snowmelt in March 2024 was associated with above-normal preceding winter snow accumulation. Second, extreme rainfall was at a record-high during March 2024, in line with its increasing trend under climate warming. Third, the snowmelt and extreme rainfall in March were compounded by record-high soil moisture conditions in the preceding winter, which was a result of interannual variability and related to excessive winter rainfall over Central Asia. As climate warming continues, the interplay between the increasing trend of extreme rainfall, interannual variations in soil moisture pre-conditions, as well as shifting timing and magnitudes of spring snowmelt, will further increase and complicate spring flooding risks. This is a growing and widespread challenge for the mid- to high-latitude regions. © Institute of Atmospheric Physics/Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Science Press 2025.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of different oil fields in Kazakhstan for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects using advanced algorithms in Python. Using automated methods, the approach greatly simplifies and accelerates the selection process, allowing efficient analysis of large data sets. Taking into account key geological and operational parameters, with particular emphasis on the importance of the Dykstra-Parsons coefficient, the study presents a comprehensive ranking system for evaluating reservoir suitability. This coefficient is critical to accurately assess the fluid displacement efficiency, which significantly influences the selection of candidates for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). The results show that the inclusion of the Dykstra-Parsons coefficient improves the accuracy of field evaluation by accounting for key reservoir heterogeneity factors along with conventional properties. The comparative analysis shows that this approach provides more reliable field selection compared to the existing methods that do not consider this parameter, thereby improving the efficiency of CO2 storage projects. © by the authors.