Brief annotation and scientific rationale:
The aim of the project is to accumulate a database for a better understanding of the fundamental laws of high-intensity ionization in model and structural materials.  The knowledge of fundamental mechanisms is of paramount importance for nuclear power engineering, nanotechnology applications and for the testing of target materials for nuclear physics experiments.  As an innovative approach, it is proposed to study the effects of dense ionization on a previously created defect structure formed by exposure to "conventional" radiation (hundreds of keV and units of MeV, ion irradiation), which is the most reliable way to simulate damage produced by fission products.  The main approach to achieving the goals of the project will be the use of modern structural analysis techniques – high-resolution transmission electron microscopy in combination with molecular dynamics methods for modeling track formation processes.  Structural changes will be also investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, confocal Raman and luminescence microscopy, and the real-time optical spectroscopy under ion irradiation.  The radiation resistance of promising reactor materials and target materials for nuclear physics experiments will be investigated by micro- and nanomechanical testing methods.

Expected results upon completion of the project:
Advanced understanding of the fundamental physical laws of high-density ionization in solids based on the studied dependencies of the kinetics of swift structural changes in the tracks of fast heavy ions in the near-surface areas of nanostructured dielectrics – nanoparticles, interfacial layers, layered structures.

Results of modeling by molecular dynamics methods of lattice relaxation processes and the formation of regions with a modified structure in the near-surface and interphase regions of composite materials exposed to energetic ions – nanoclusters in matrices, layered materials.

Data on the combined effect of dense ionization and helium on the transport properties of fission fragments in protective layers and inert matrices.

Accumulation of a database on the parameters of ion tracks in conventional and nanostructured ceramics promising for nuclear physics applications.

Data on the long-term stability of target materials during prolonged irradiation with intense  heavy-ion beams.

Expected results of the project current year: 
Investigation of the track's microstructure in the nanoparticles of TiO2, Cr2O3, CeO2, and AlN irradiated with high-energy heavy ions by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

Study of the influence of the uniformly helium-doped austenitic steel structure in gas porosity formation.

Structural studies and micromechanical testing of the high-entropy Fe-Cr-Ni-Co alloy irradiated with high-energy heavy xenon and bismuth ions.

Numerical modeling of structural effects induced by swift-heavy-ion irradiation in massive samples, thin films, and nanoclusters of cerium oxide by molecular dynamics and the Monte Carlo methods.

= composite structures;

= hybrid structures;

- targeted chemical and biochemical modification;

- selection of bulk material.

Special attention will be focused on biomedical applications of track-etched membranes.

The main result of the project will be the creation of scientific and technical foundations for the development of new membranes with specific functions.  The applicability of the developed membranes in practically important membrane separation processes, biomedical procedures and analytical tasks will be investigated.

Expected results upon completion of the project:
Functionalized TMs obtained from ion-irradiated polymer films using soft photolysis and liquid extraction of degradation products from tracks for electrodialysis and the electro-baromembrane process:
- determination of ion-selective properties of membranes;

- investigation of the possibility of mono- and multivalent-ion separation on nanoporous TMs  using electrodialysis and the electro-baromembrane process.

Experimental verification of the possibility of manufacturing nanocomposite, functionalized, and hybrid TMs:
- TMs with asymmetric and modified nanopores for the separation of racemic mixtures;

- microfiltration TMs with immobilized proteins for the detection of free RNA and DNA and their use in biosensors;

- functionalized nanoporous membranes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for selective preconcentration of toxic metals and their quantitative determination;

- TMs functionalized with silver nanoparticles and bioactive substances for the creation of bactericidal and viricidal filtration materials;

- modified TMs with improved cell adhesion for cell culture systems;

-affinity ultra- and microfiltration TMs for exosome separation;

- nanocomposite TMs with immobilized silver and gold nanoconjugates and aptamers for the diagnosis of viral diseases using SERS and fluorescence spectroscopy;

- hybrid TMs with surface polymer nanofiber structures and modified selective complex compounds, ligands and metal-organic frameworks for selective removal of toxic metals from water.

Data on ion-selective, electrokinetic, and osmotic properties of modified nanopores, including asymmetric nanopores, depending on their geometry and functional groups on the surface.

Expected results of the project current year: 
Investigation of the electrodialysis process for binary mixtures of electrolytes, including lithium ions, on ion-exchange membranes produced using soft photolysis and liquid extraction of radiolysis products from ion-irradiated polyimide films. Estimates of selectivity and permeability compared to similar membranes made of PETP,

Study of membrane distillation using hybrid membranes obtained by coating PETP track-etched membranes with fluoropolymer nanofibers; taking data on selectivity and productivity of the process.

Study of the radiation induced graft polymerization of 4-vinylpiridyne and N-vinylimidazole in the nanopores of PVDF TMs with a view to preconcentrating dissolved mercury in aqueous media. Determination of optimal conditions for the polymerization reaction and study of the physical and chemical properties of produced membranes.

Construction of a set-up for baromembrane separation of the culture medium of human mesenhymal stem cells and the development of techniques for quantitative determination of exosomes in permeate.

Synthesis of plasmonic gold and silver nanoparticles stabilized by cyclodextrin for the use in synchronous chemoradiotherapy to treat cancer.

Study of adsorption and desorption of model dyes on composite track membranes modified by superstructures based on the metal-organic frame structure of nickel and tryptophan for targeted drug delivery.