The utmost limit performance of interband cascade detectors optimized for the longwave range of infrared radiation is investigated in this work. Currently, materials from the III–V group are characterized by short carrier lifetimes limited by Shockley-Read-Hall generation and recombination processes. The maximum carrier lifetime values reported at 77 K for the type-II superlattices InAs/GaSb and InAs/InAsSb in a longwave range correspond to ∼200 and ∼400 ns. We estimated theoretical detectivity of interband cascade detectors assuming above carrier lifetimes and a value of ∼1–50 μs reported for a well-known HgCdTe material. It has been shown that for room temperature the limit value of detctivity is of ∼3–4×10¹⁰ cmHz^1/2/W for the optimized detector operating at the wavelength range ∼10 μm could be reached.

Nowadays, in order to ensure high quality of municipal services, and thus a high quality of life for the local community, the authorities of both the basic local government unit and managers of municipal enterprises must strive to maintain high standards of sustainable development. The level of quality of life and services provided can be determined by various dimensions, such as: ecological environment, housing conditions, ecological production in the field of consumer goods, balance between built-up areas and green areas, care for agricultural areas, limiting the deepening social stratification, rational economy water or rational waste management. Therefore, the paper presents a theoretical analysis of the main directions of sustainable development in the activities of municipal enterprises.

In the paper finite-dimensional time-variable dynamical control systems described by linear stochastic ordinary differential state equations with single time-variable point delay in the control are considered. Using notations, theorems and methods taken directly from deterministic controllability problems necessary and sufficient conditions for different kinds of stochastic relative controllability in a given time interval are formulated and proved. It will be proved that under suitable assumptions relative controllability of a deterministic linear associated dynamical system is equivalent to stochastic relative exact controllability and stochastic relative approximate controllability of the original linear stochastic dynamical system. Some remarks and comments on the existing results for stochastic controllability of linear dynamical systems are also presented.

The present study addresses the utilization of induction furnace steel slag which is an anthropogenic waste, for enhancing the mechanical properties of a commercial aluminium alloy A356. Different weight percentage (3wt%, 6wt%, 9wt%, and 12wt%) of steel slag particles in 1 to 10 μm size range were used as reinforcing particles in aluminium alloy A356 matrix. The composites were prepared through stir casting technique. The results revealed an improvement in mechanical properties (i.e. microhardness and tensile strength) and wear resistance with an increase in weight percentage of the steel slag particles. This research work shows promising results for the utilization of the steel slag for enhancing the properties of aluminium alloy A356 at no additional cost while assisting at same time in alleviating land pollution.