NASU department of physics and astronomy focuses research on nanophysics, nanoelectronics

By Svetlana Sytina
The Ukrainian Times

Last year 18 institutions of the physics and astronomy department under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) and some establishments of higher learning conducted research. According to chief directions of department’s activity, research was mainly focused on the problems of nanophysics and nanoelectronics as well as on the successful implementation of the results of investigations.

In particular, research in solid-state physics concentrated on the technologies of manufacturing infrared sensors and the development of techniques of alloying nickel and silicon carbide. Using this alloy increases considerably its resistance to wear, therefore it prolongs the operating life of aircraft engines.

Research in astronomy, astrophysics and radio astronomy was aimed to determine the primary helium content of galaxies, measure infrared spectrums
of galaxies with low metallicity as well as to apply methods of synchronous radioastronomic observation, using Ukrainian and foreign instruments. For instance, ionospheric processes were under study in the course of experiments in cooperation with Norwegian experts.