The “Challenges and Issues of Modern Science” collection comprises scientific research on relevant topics related to the latest advancements in various fields of science. Emphasis is placed on developing aerospace technology, thermodynamics and energy, mechanical engineering, materials science and technologies, automation, electronics and telecommunications, information technology, project management, ecology, and industrial and environmental safety. It can be helpful for professionals in the respective fields, scientists, educators, and students. The presented material will help readers expand their knowledge of diverse approaches (...) to solving current scientific and practical issues. The papers are published in the author's edition. До збірника «Виклики та проблеми сучасної науки» увійшли наукові праці з актуальних тем, що пов’язані з найновішими досягненнями в різних галузях науки. Акцентується увага на розвитку аерокосмічної техніки, термодинаміки та енергетики, машинобудування, матеріалознавства та технологій, автоматизації, електроніки та телекомунікацій, інформаційних технологій, управління проектами, екології, промислової та екологічної безпеки. Може бути корисним для фахівців у відповідних галузях, науковців, викладачів та студентів. Поданий матеріал допоможе читачам розширити знання про різноманітні підходи до розв’язання актуальних науково-практичних задач. Матеріали публікуються в авторській редакції. (shrink)

"Challenges and Issues of Modern Science" serve as an in-depth exploration of contemporary trends, sustainable development initiatives, and global concerns within the realm of scientific inquiry. The papers represent a collaborative effort by experts, researchers, and practitioners from various disciplines to address the multifaceted challenges facing modern science. Through in-depth analysis, empirical studies, and theoretical frameworks, the contributions in these proceedings aim to shed light on emerging trends, propose innovative solutions, and foster dialogue on critical issues shaping the future of (...) science and technology. By encapsulating the latest research findings and insights, the proceedings serve as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and industry professionals, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the sustainable development of our global community. Scope covers a wide range of topics and disciplines related to modern science. It includes but is not limited to Aerospace Vehicles, Engines, Energy, and Thermotechnics, Innovative Technologies in Mechanical Engineering, Structural and Functional Materials, Integrated Automation Technologies and Robotics, Control Systems, Telecommunications and Navigation, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Project Management and Leadership, and Ecology, industrial, and environmental safety. The journal welcomes empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical applications that contribute to the understanding and resolution of challenges in contemporary science. (shrink)

The World’s Leading Research and Development Institutions and Companies -/- Introduction -/- Research and Development (R&D) is the backbone of global innovation, driving technological progress, economic growth, and scientific discoveries. Across the world, top institutions and corporations invest billions of dollars into R&D to push the boundaries of human knowledge and create groundbreaking technologies. This essay explores the most influential research institutions and companies shaping the future through their contributions in science, engineering, medicine, and technology. -/- The Role of Research (...) Institutions in Global Innovation -/- Research institutions play a crucial role in advancing fundamental and applied sciences. Many of these institutions are publicly funded universities and government research agencies that focus on a wide range of disciplines, from medicine and engineering to artificial intelligence and space exploration. -/- 1. Leading Research Institutions -/- Some of the most prestigious research institutions include: -/- National Institutes of Health (NIH) – USA: The primary agency of the U.S. government responsible for biomedical and public health research. -/- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – USA: A global leader in aerospace and space exploration, NASA continues to innovate in space technology and planetary science. -/- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) – France: The largest governmental research organization in France, covering all scientific disciplines. -/- Max Planck Society – Germany: A network of research institutes in Germany, known for excellence in science and technology. -/- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) – China: China’s premier research institution focuses on science and technology innovation across various fields. -/- Harvard University – USA: Leads in biomedical research, social sciences, and humanities. -/- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – USA: At the forefront of engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing research. -/- Stanford University – USA: Known for its deep ties to Silicon Valley, Stanford plays a key role in tech innovation. -/- University of Oxford & University of Cambridge – UK: Both institutions are among the oldest and most respected in the world, conducting high-impact research in medicine, engineering, and the humanities. -/- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) – Switzerland: Excels in engineering and natural sciences research. -/- University of Tokyo – Japan: Japan’s leading university, known for its research in science and technology. -/- California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – USA: A leader in space science and physics. -/- Imperial College London – UK: Specializes in engineering, medical, and business research. -/- University of Toronto – Canada: A top institution in AI, robotics, and engineering. -/- 2. Engineering and Technology Research Leaders -/- Engineering research institutions contribute to infrastructure, automation, and digital transformation. Some of the most prominent ones include: -/- University of California, Berkeley – USA: Known for its research in engineering, computer science, and environmental science. -/- University of Pennsylvania – USA: Invests in innovative engineering projects. -/- University of Michigan – USA: Known for technological advancements in multiple fields. -/- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) – Switzerland: Excels in engineering and digital research. -/- Tsinghua University – China: A leader in AI, renewable energy, and industrial automation research. -/- The Role of Private Companies in Research and Development -/- Private corporations play a major role in R&D, investing heavily in emerging technologies, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, and industrial innovations. Many of the world’s biggest companies spend billions to maintain leadership in their respective fields. -/- 1. Leading Technology Companies in R&D -/- Amazon ($73.2B in R&D spending, 2022): Focuses on cloud computing, AI, logistics, and automation. -/- Alphabet (Google) ($39.5B in R&D, 2022): Invests in AI, quantum computing, and search algorithms. -/- Meta (Facebook) ($35.3B in R&D, 2022): Focuses on AI, VR, and the Metaverse. -/- Apple ($27.7B in R&D, 2022): Leads in consumer electronics and semiconductor technology. -/- Microsoft ($26.6B in R&D, 2022): Invests in AI, cloud computing, and software innovation. -/- 2. Engineering and Industrial Companies in R&D -/- Volkswagen ($19.88B in R&D, 2022): A leader in automotive engineering and electric vehicles. -/- Samsung ($19.29B in R&D, 2022): Develops advanced semiconductors and electronics. -/- Intel ($17.53B in R&D, 2022): Focuses on microprocessors and AI hardware. -/- Huawei ($24B in R&D, 2022): Leads in telecommunications and 5G development. -/- Siemens – Germany: A global leader in industrial automation, medical technology, and smart infrastructure. -/- Nokia – Finland: Focuses on telecommunications infrastructure and technology development. -/- Sony – Japan: Invests in consumer electronics, gaming, and entertainment technologies. -/- Boeing – USA: Develops aerospace technology, defense systems, and commercial aircraft innovations. -/- General Electric (GE) – USA: Focuses on energy, aviation, and industrial automation R&D. -/- 3. Pharmaceutical and Biotech Research Leaders -/- Roche ($14.72B in R&D, 2022): A leading pharmaceutical company specializing in diagnostics and biotech innovations. -/- Pfizer: Known for vaccine development, including the COVID-19 vaccine. -/- Moderna: A pioneer in mRNA technology for medical treatments. -/- Johnson & Johnson: Invests heavily in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. -/- Bristol-Myers Squibb – USA: Focuses on biopharmaceutical research, including immunology and oncology. -/- AstraZeneca – UK/Sweden: Invests in pharmaceutical research, particularly in oncology and cardiovascular diseases. -/- The Impact of R&D on Society and the Future -/- The advancements driven by R&D have a profound impact on global society. Some of the most significant areas of innovation include: -/- Healthcare: Research in biotechnology, gene therapy, and medical AI is revolutionizing healthcare, leading to personalized medicine and new treatments for previously incurable diseases. -/- Artificial Intelligence: AI research in institutions and companies is driving automation, machine learning, and deep learning applications. -/- Sustainable Energy: Engineering research is focusing on renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart grid technologies to combat climate change. -/- Space Exploration: Organizations like NASA, SpaceX, and ESA are expanding human exploration beyond Earth. -/- Telecommunications: Companies like Huawei, Nokia, and Qualcomm are leading the development of 5G and future wireless communication technologies. -/- Automotive Industry: Electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, and autonomous driving are key research areas for companies like Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota. -/- Conclusion -/- The world’s leading R&D institutions and companies are shaping the future through their groundbreaking work in science, engineering, medicine, and technology. Universities and research centers provide the foundation for discovery, while corporations drive commercial applications of these innovations. As investments in R&D continue to grow, humanity will witness even greater advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and space exploration, ultimately improving lives and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. -/- . (shrink)

Complex systems are difficult to manage, operate and maintain. This is why we see teams of highly specialised engineers in industries such as aerospace, nuclear and subsurface. Condition based monitoring is also employed to maximise the efficiency of extensive maintenance programmes instead of using periodic maintenance. A level of automation is often required in such complex engineering platforms in order to effectively and safely manage them. Advances in Artificial Intelligence related technologies have offered greater levels of automation but this (...) potentially pivots the weight of decision making away from the operator to the machine. Implementing AI or complex algorithms into a platform can mean that the Operators’ control over the system is diminished or removed altogether. For example, in the Boeing 737 Air Max Disaster, AI had been added to a platform and removed the operators’ control of the system. This meant that the operator could not then move outside the extremely reserved, algorithm defined, “envelope” of operation. This paper analyses the challenges of AI driven condition based monitoring where there is a potential to see similar consequences to those seen in control engineering. As the future of society becomes more about algorithm driven technology, it is prudent to ask, not only whether we should implement AI into complex systems, but how this can be achieved ethically and safely in order to reduce risk to life. (shrink)

The Honeycomb Conjecture: Nature’s Most Efficient Design -/- Introduction -/- The honeycomb conjecture is a famous mathematical principle that explains why hexagonal tiling is the most efficient way to divide a plane into equal regions while minimizing perimeter. This idea has been observed in nature, particularly in beehives, where bees construct hexagonal cells to store honey and larvae. Mathematicians long suspected that hexagons were the best shape for efficient space partitioning, but it was only in 1999 that Thomas C. Hales (...) provided a complete proof. This essay explores the history, mathematical foundations, proof, and natural significance of the honeycomb conjecture, as well as its broader implications for science and engineering. -/- Historical Background -/- The idea that hexagons are an optimal shape for packing dates back to ancient times. The Greek mathematician Pappus of Alexandria (circa 4th century AD) speculated that bees instinctively use hexagons because they maximize storage space while using the least amount of building material (wax). Over the centuries, scientists and mathematicians continued to examine the efficiency of the honeycomb structure, but formal mathematical proof remained elusive. -/- In the 19th century, Charles Darwin also praised the honeycomb structure as an example of natural selection and evolution, suggesting that bees had evolved to build these efficient structures due to survival advantages. However, a rigorous mathematical proof of the honeycomb conjecture was still missing until the late 20th century. -/- Mathematical Explanation -/- The honeycomb conjecture states that the regular hexagonal tiling is the most efficient way to divide a plane into regions of equal area with the least total perimeter. -/- This efficiency is determined by comparing different geometric shapes: -/- 1. Squares and Rectangles – While they can efficiently tile a plane, their total perimeter is greater than that of hexagons for the same area. -/- 2. Equilateral Triangles – These also tile a plane efficiently, but they use more perimeter compared to hexagons. -/- 3. Hexagons – A regular hexagonal tiling achieves the lowest total perimeter for a given area, meaning it requires the least material to construct. -/- Mathematically, if we define a shape’s isoperimetric quotient (the ratio of area to perimeter), hexagons outperform all other regular tiling shapes. -/- Proof by Thomas C. Hales (1999) -/- Thomas C. Hales provided a rigorous proof of the honeycomb conjecture in 1999, using geometric analysis and calculus of variations. His proof involved: -/- Comparing different tiling arrangements and calculating their perimeters. -/- Using variational principles to show that hexagons minimize perimeter. -/- Applying mathematical inequalities to rule out other possible tiling patterns. -/- Hales’ work confirmed that hexagonal tiling is the most efficient way to divide space, solidifying the honeycomb conjecture as a proven mathematical theorem. -/- Applications in Nature and Science -/- The honeycomb conjecture is not just a mathematical curiosity; it has profound implications in nature and human engineering. -/- 1. Bees and Honeycombs -/- Bees instinctively construct hexagonal cells because it allows them to store maximum honey with minimal wax usage. -/- The hexagonal shape provides structural strength, making honeycombs highly durable. -/- 2. Biological and Cellular Structures -/- Many natural structures, such as bubbles in foam and molecular arrangements, follow hexagonal patterns because of their efficiency. -/- In human biology, eye photoreceptors in some animals are arranged in hexagonal patterns for optimal light capture. -/- 3. Engineering and Technology -/- Aerospace Design – Hexagonal structures are used in lightweight yet strong materials for spacecraft and airplanes. -/- Architecture – Hexagonal tiling is used in flooring and urban planning for efficient land use. -/- Computer Science – Hexagonal grids are used in image processing, gaming, and robotics for efficient movement and spatial calculations. -/- Connection to the Universal Law of Balance in Nature -/- The honeycomb conjecture aligns with the universal law of balance in nature, a principle you emphasize in your universal formula. -/- Efficiency and Optimization – Just as hexagons naturally minimize material use while maximizing functionality, the universal law of balance suggests that all systems must minimize waste and maximize efficiency for stability. -/- Feedback Mechanisms – Bees construct their honeycombs based on environmental conditions and internal feedback, similar to how human decision-making should be guided by natural balance and rationality. -/- Systemic Harmony – Whether in nature or human engineering, hexagonal structures demonstrate that adhering to natural efficiency principles leads to stability and sustainability. -/- Conclusion -/- The honeycomb conjecture is a fundamental principle in both mathematics and nature. Its proof by Thomas C. Hales confirmed what bees and other natural systems have instinctively known for millions of years: hexagonal tiling is the most efficient way to divide space. This principle is seen not only in honeycombs but also in engineering, biology, and even human decision-making structures. Understanding and applying the honeycomb principle can lead to more efficient designs, sustainable solutions, and a deeper appreciation for the mathematical harmony in nature. -/- In the broader context of your universal formula, the honeycomb conjecture serves as a perfect example of how nature inherently follows the law of balance. By studying these natural optimizations, humans can create more efficient systems, reduce waste, and ensure harmony in both scientific and social structures. -/- . (shrink)

Nanoparticles can also be used as catalysts due to their high surface area. Of course, catalytic properties also occur in certain dimensions like magnetic properties. In other words, nanoparticles usually have catalytic properties if their specific surface is between 100 and 400 square meters per gram. Therefore, among nanoparticles with a specific volume, a nanoparticle with a larger surface area shows better catalytic properties. An example of nanoparticles that act as catalysts where various substances are placed on their surface and (...) chemical reactions are carried out. Apart from the mentioned cases, nanoparticles have many other applications in various medical industries (drug delivery, etc.), automobiles (anti-fogging windows, lightening the body, strengthening tires), electronics (making transistors), etc. The strength of carbon-carbon bonds gives carbon nanotubes amazing electronic properties. No previous material exhibits the extraordinary combination of mechanical, thermal and electronic properties attributed to them . However, their conductivity is what sets them apart. Multi-layered carbon nanotubes are the strongest materials that mankind has discovered so far in terms of electronic conductivity. The highest tensile strength or breaking strain for a carbon nanotube was up to 63 GPa, which is about 50 times more than the strongest conductors. Even the weakest types of multi-layered carbon nanotubes have multifold power in electronic conduction. These properties, along with the lightness of carbon nanotubes, give them great potential in applications such as aerospace. The electronic properties of the wall of carbon nanotubes are also extraordinary. It has high electrical conductivity (comparable to copper). It is particularly noteworthy that nanotubes can be metallic or semiconducting. The rolling action breaks the symmetry of the planar system and imposes a specific direction with respect to the hexagonal grid and the axial direction. Depending on the relationship between these axial directions and the unit vectors that describe the hexagonal lattice, nanotubes may behave electrically like metals or semiconductors , with some nanotubes having higher conductivity than copper, while Others behave more like silicon . And there are possibilities of making nano electronic devices from multi-layer nanotubes of CNTs. (shrink)

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is driving a paradigm shift in engineering, enabling the development of smart, adaptive, and future-ready systems. As global industries face increasing demands for efficiency, customization, and sustainability, the integration of AI and automation has become essential for maintaining competitiveness and innovation. This paper explores how these technologies are transforming traditional engineering practices into intelligent, autonomous, and highly responsive systems capable of operating in complex and dynamic environments. Smart engineering harnesses the computational power (...) of AI—such as machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing—alongside automation technologies like robotics, control systems, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices. Together, they enhance design optimization, predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and adaptive manufacturing. For instance, AI-driven generative design tools can produce optimized engineering solutions based on performance requirements, while automated systems can execute precise and repeatable tasks at scale. These advancements not only improve product quality and operational efficiency but also reduce human error and downtime. The paper also addresses the challenges of implementing smart engineering systems, including integration complexity, cybersecurity risks, ethical considerations, and the need for workforce transformation. Through case studies and industry examples, it illustrates the real-world impact and benefits of smart engineering across sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and infrastructure. Ultimately, the fusion of AI and automation is not just an enhancement of engineering processes—it represents a fundamental shift toward more intelligent, adaptive, and self-improving systems. As industries prepare for the next wave of digital transformation, smart engineering will play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable and resilient technological ecosystems. (shrink)

A summary assessment of the dimensions and concentrations of military equipment manufacture primarily in the United States and western Europe and the extent of availability of this equipment to buyers throughout the world. Treaty-based limitations are also listed.

Propounded in relation to a peculiar mode in the view of an oscillating or cyclic universe, the concept of Return of Power, or of ontic recurrence as further increase in ontic Power signifies the determination of the existing entity according to its own selective recurrence as dialectically exceeding a previous status. Based thus upon the assumption that the actual ontological existence of the entity lies in its own potentiated recurrence (for it is maintained that only what is able to return (...) to itself as potentiated signifies actual ontological existence) and that an ontic eternal return can only occur in terms of further Power, this notion embodies the culminating phase within change as an ultimate overcoming of a previous ontic status or situation respecting the category Power as a primary criterion within a constantly increasing Real (as Power, precisely). An ontic selective ultimate event respecting becoming as a general increment of the Real, this concept exceeds both the ontic dispersion in nothingness of the linear time and the identical ontic repeatability of the Eternal Return of the Same, the latter insofar as asserting the perennial return of man's own status of powerlessness, and as rendering accordingly impossible any actual (dialectical) transition to a well-defined superior ontic phase. (shrink)