Design, fabrication and testing of a micro thermal conductivity detector (muTCD) with a detection limit of 260 parts per billion (hexane in helium), no excess dead-volume, low power consumption, fast response time (150 musec) and low sensitivity to flow rate is described herein. Significantly, this muTCD is shown to have a linear response and high sensitivity across a 10⁴-fold concentration range; to the best of our knowledge this linearity and sensitivity has not been previously shown for a muTCD. The thermal conduction properties of several configurations are examined to identify their influence on performance.

The review to achieve technological sovereignty of the Russian fuel and energy complex (FEC) in the ongoing geopolitical situation is presented in the article. The main scope has been to identify the key technology development priorities, restrictions and internal resources to overcome these utilizing the developed by the author the innovative methodology that consists of novel approaches to calculate level of local content, digitalization, business continuity andinteractions with military-industrial complex. Some organizational changes have been proposed to intensify the development of hi-tech products for the FEC and related industries, including establishment of the state committee for science and technology and the project office of lead engineers for the critical missing technologies. Two successful examples to utilize the described in the paper methodology is presented: the first domestic hydraulic fracturing fleet and polycrystalline diamond compact cutter bit inserts.

This study is an attempt to suggest a new state system of permafrost monitoring, primarily for energetic infrastructure, based on past approaches and achievements in Russia for over a hundred years of Arctic studies. The methodology of this study is based on general theoretical methods of scientific research. Historical (retrospective analysis of the development of the monitoring system of long-term permafrost in Russia) and logical (inductive generalization) methods were applied. The structure and methods of permafrost monitoring in the Soviet Union and new technologies used nowadays to establish permafrost monitoring systems, taking into account modern Arctic energetic development, have been analyzed.

Continuous monitoring of greenhouse gases with high spatio-temporal resolution has lately become an urgent task because of tightening environmental restrictions. It may be addressed with an economically efficient solution, based on semiconductor metal oxide gas sensors. In the present work, CO₂ detection in the relevant concentration range and ambient conditions was successfully effectuated by fine-particulate La₂O₃-based materials. Flame spray pyrolysis technique was used for the synthesis of sensitive materials, which were studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTs) and low temperature nitrogen adsorption coupled with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) effective surface area calculation methodology. The obtained materials represent a composite of lanthanum oxide, hydroxide and carbonate phases. The positive correlation has been established between the carbonate content in the as prepared materials and their sensor response towards CO₂. Small dimensional planar MEMS micro-hotplates with low energy consumption were used for gas sensor fabrication through inkjet printing. The sensors showed highly selective CO₂ detection in the range of 200–6667 ppm in humid air compared with pollutant gases (H₂ 50 ppm, CH₄ 100 ppm, NO₂ 1 ppm, NO 1 ppm, NH₃ 20 ppm, H₂S 1 ppm, SO₂ 1 ppm), typical for the atmospheric air of urbanized and industrial area.