The radiation resistance of the monazite LaPO₄ and the compound YbPO₄ (zircon structure type) has been investigated using the computer simulation. The number of Frenkel pairs, which are formed in the structure of these minerals after the passage of a primary knock-on thorium atom with an energy of 30 keV, has been calculated by the molecular dynamics method. The formation of Frenkel pairs and their recombination in the motion of recoil nuclei in the structure of the studied minerals have been discussed. It has been shown that the probability of the “survival” of Frenkel pairs in the LaPO₄ monazite is significantly lower than in the YbPO₄ compound. The tendency of these minerals toward amorphization under radiation damage has been described numerically. The obtained results have demonstrated that one of the main factors determining the radiation resistance of orthophosphates LnPO₄ is the type of crystal structure, and the compounds with the monazite structure are more radiation resistant than the compounds with the zircon structure.

The results of the investigation of the phase and quantitative composition of reinforcing phases of the Nb–Nb₅Si₃in situ eutectic composite during high-gradient directional crystallization are reported. The crystal structures of the hexagonal γ and tetragonal α modifications of Nb₅Si₃ silicide are comparatively characterized. Possible structural positions for the stabilizing atoms in the structure of hexagonal silicide are proposed. The dependence of the creep deformation resistance on the silicide structure is discussed.

The schemes of isomorphic incorporation of Ti⁴⁺ ions in the crystal structures of Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ and MgSiO₃ garnets in the pressure range of 7–25 GPa at temperatures from 1713 to 1913 K have been analyzed based on atomistic simulation data.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the potential of energy resources of African countries based on geological prerequisites in the structure of sedimentary basins of the region. On the basis of numerous sources, the categorization of countries by the amount of hydrocarbon production, as well as by the size of resource potential of countries, has been carried out. For the largest countries in terms of production and reserves, a comparison is given with the main oil and gas basins, within which the producing fields are located and the main hydrocarbon reserves have been explored. In the context of the transition to renewable energy sources, the article examines African countries with high geothermal potential, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, capable of meeting the demand for electricity and heat. Various directions of application of geothermal heat depending on the temperature of the coolant are considered. The article provides examples of successful application of modern digital technologies to identify promising sites for further research and operation.

The radiation stability of lakargiite Ca(Zr,Ti,Sn)O₃ was investigated by the molecular dynamics method using computer simulation. A nanofragment of the structure of a solid solution of the composition CaZr_0.8Sn_0.1Ti_0.1O₃ with sizes 310 × 290 × 315 Å, which contains 1.4 million atoms with a maximally disordered distribution of Zr, Ti, and Sn, was used for simulation. It has been established that the susceptibility of lakargiite to amorphization is considerably lower than that of other minerals such as zircon, monazite, and xenotime. The high radiation resistance of the studied solid solution makes it possible to suggest lakargiite as a possible matrix to utilize highly active radioactive wastes.