Automation, Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Space Technologies
- Please describe the working principle and pros and cons of chemical, electric and nuclear propulsion systems.
- What are the major challenges associated with establishing a permanent base on the Moon or Mars?
- Which technology related to your field of professional study could be adapted for space exploration, and in what way?
- What space programs are currently being implemented (e.g., Artemis, Gateway, ISS, Soyuz, etc.)?
- What rocket propellants are currently in use, and what are their respective advantages and disadvantages (e.g., LH₂, RP-1, Methane)?
- What are the defined Earth orbits, and what are their respective applications?
- Detail the importance of special and general relativity in space experiments over the last 4 decades: from global positioning, to tests of the equivalence principles, to astrophysical and cosmological surveys, to the observation of gravitational waves, Einstein's relativity has entered powerfully in the scientific and technological landscape of space mission design and analysis. Please expand and comment.
- From the two-body problem to automatic guidance in proximity operations, orbital mechanics and mission analysis are a crucial staple in a physicist's and engineer's education when space if concerned. Please elaborate on the theory and applications.
Biomedical Engineering
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General Knowledge Scope for All Applicants
The scope of issues within the discipline of Biomedical Engineering. Key concepts: biocybernetic model, simulation of biological systems, and examples of their application in selected problems in biology and medicine. The role of biocybernetics and engineering in the development of technology, biology, medicine, and civilizational progress. Knowledge representation methods. The concept of incomplete and uncertain knowledge. Expert systems. Inference rules in rule-based knowledge representation systems. Fuzzy logic, evolutionary algorithms. Biomedical engineering systems in applications such as diagnostics, therapy, rehabilitation, and prosthetics of various organs and body parts—examples and general principles of their design.
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Domain-Specific Scope I: Electronics and Informatics in Medicine
Fundamentals of theoretical neurocybernetics, various objectives and methods for brain modeling, different types of neural networks and their applications, elements of cognitive science. Models of biological and technical perceptual systems (human visual and auditory systems), regulatory systems (concept of homeostasis and the structure of systems that maintain it), and control systems (voluntary movement control, control of motor units and the gamma loop, cooperation of synergistic and antagonistic muscles). Population models. Computational methods for biomedical signal processing, as well as techniques for medical image analysis and recognition. Selected issues of artificial intelligence in biomedical applications. Methods used in biological and physiological measurements: monitoring of circulation, muscle tension, fetal well-being, brain function, and visual and auditory perception. Examples of digital support for signal and image diagnostics. Multidimensional and multimodal signals. Feature extraction and object/event classification methods. Human monitoring in domestic settings, taxonomy and specific characteristics of sensors. Sensor networks for biomedical measurements. Data security and privacy issues in medical networks and measurements. Hospital information systems, surgical planning, automated/remote patient qualification. Telemedicine challenges: data privacy and reliability, continuity of information access, mobility and energy considerations of devices. Brain-computer interfaces: BCI paradigms and their specific features.
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Domain-Specific Scope II: Biomaterials Engineering
Basic concepts: biomaterial, biocompatibility, bioactivity, medical device, implant, transplant, artificial organ, hybrid organ. The relationship between the structure, properties, and methods of obtaining metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and composite biomaterials. Classification of biomaterials by: type (metallic, ceramic, polymeric, carbon-based, composite, hybrid) and their behavior in biological environments (biostable, degradable, resorbable). Practical applications of metallic, polymeric, carbon-based, composite biomaterials, phosphate-calcium bioceramics, and bioactive glasses, e.g., in surgery, orthopedics, cardiac surgery, and dentistry. Surface engineering and surface modification techniques. Methods for analyzing the structure, microstructure, and properties of biomaterials. Biological response to implants. In vitro and in vivo testing methods for biomaterials.
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Domain-Specific Scope III: Biomechanics
Basic concepts: biomechanics and mechanobiology. Objectives and research directions in biomechanics. The relationship between structure and functional properties of tissues. Branches of biomechanics. Joint classification based on motion types. Biotribology and issues related to wear of joints and tissues. Structure and mechanical properties of bones. Models describing the mechanical behavior of bones. Functions and properties of articular cartilage, cartilage modeling. Structure and properties of connective tissues exemplified by tendons. Models describing tendon properties. Structure and function of the spine. Natural and synthetic biomaterials. Modeling of biomaterials as viscoelastic elements. Experimental methods used in tissue biomechanics (including stress, strain, displacement measurements, etc.). Fundamentals of mechanical strength of biological tissues—tensile, compressive, bending, and torsional strength.
Chemical Engineering
- Types of chemical reactions as the basis of material production processes
- Mass and heat transport
- Chemical reactors
- Phase composition, microstructure and properties of materials
- Methods of testing the chemical composition, phase composition, structure and microstructure of materials, methods used in the analysis of liquids and gases
- Methods of obtaining powders and granulates
- Methods of obtaining porous materials. Sorption and desorption. Methods of air and gas purification
- Ceramic materials. Sintering
- Polymers and plastics - basics of processing and applications
- Metals and their alloys - basics of production and application
- Production of composite materials and their properties
- Basics of nanomaterials production and their applications
- Thin film deposition methods (CVD, PVD, sol-gel)
- Biomaterials - synthesis and applications
- Additive techniques for materials production
- Basics of materials recycling and raw materials recovery. Circular economy
Mechanical Engineering
- List the planets of the Solar System and describe which planets landers are sent to and why.
- Describe the main engineering challenges involved in designing a Mars lander. What systems need to be included to ensure safe landing and operation on the Martian surface?
- Compare the environments of the moons Europa (Jupiter) and Enceladus (Saturn). What aspects of these environments must be considered when designing a research probe?
- Explain the importance of a heat shield in Earth-return missions. What materials are used and why?
- Discuss the fundamental methods of strength analysis of machine elements.
- What are the main types of flows in fluid mechanics?
- What are the main challenges in designing modern mechanical systems in terms of durability and energy efficiency?
- Describe the basic principles of machine dynamics and their importance in mechanical device design.