University Research Activities

Priority Research Areas Pursued by the University

Industrial security, petrochemistry and oil refining, energy- and resource-saving technologies, varnishes and paints, filming materials, chemical and polymeric technology, new-generation inorganic materials, membrane technologies, sustained development issues, energy-saturated materials and composites, biotechnology, complex environmental studies, construction, finishing and decorative materials, materials and technologies for nuclear industry, composite and construction materials, inorganic substances and electrochemical technologies, electronic equipment materials, information systems and technologies, health care and medical materials, nanotechnologies and nanomaterials.

The University uses the innovative development strategy. It contributes towards all elements of the development and implementation cycle starting with fundamental research and growing logically to applied science and industrial production. This helps identify promising research areas, and support them during the innovation cycle initial phases, as well as during the completion phase, after the chemical technology (system or product) has already been built. More than 40 graduate departments and 20 domain-specific research labs conduct the fundamental and applied studies. The production base is comprised of two pilot production facilities, a pilot plant, a Technology Park, and a Centre for Technical Innovations.

The University has completed over 240 research and development projects, which are available for implementation (http://lib.muctr.ru/scidbase).

Composite, construction and building materials

The development of new functional and construction materials is at the forefront of the research pursued by the University. The faculty from the departments of glass and ceramics, composite and bonding materials, colloid chemistry, chemical technology of plastics, filming materials, plastic processing, carbon, and other departments address this problem.

MUCTR is a recognized leader in the development of scientific basis for direct synthesis of non-metallic construction and building materials. It has mastered industrial methods for making glass ceramic material named sygran, which simulates natural marble and granite properties, and is used for facing building walls and floors. Work is in progress to develop the production of elasto-plastic concrete with increased life span to enhance the product quality, and mitigate the risk of self-induced destruction of structures.

The University has developed methods for making extra-durable, heat-resistant porous ceramics for technological and medical use.

Outstanding results have been achieved in the area of engineering design of the silicate materials

Information Systems and Technologies

The information technologies permeate all areas of science and industry.

The University develops new information technologies, including smart information and expert systems; environmental monitoring and wastewater treatment equipment selection; databases; systems for automated simulation and design of chemical technology processes; development of flexible production systems; monitoring and control automation, and energy and resource saving systems.

Over the past few years, the department of high resourcesaving and information techno-logies has developed the database systems for treatment and drying machinery (methods, equipment, math models, environmental monitoring and protection methods), which make it possible to conduct expert evaluations, and support decision-making during the project development and equipment selection phases.

They have developed an integrated information control system to secure safe operation of chemically hazardous facilities used for the assessment of production hazards, risks and damages under various emergency scenarios and mechanisms of adverse impacts.

In 2004, University won the bronze medal at the Moscow International Salon for Innovations and Investments for its achievements in the development of the remote-access pharmaceutical multi-media educational portal.

Environmental protection

Environmental issues are the focus of attention of many University departments.

Wastewater and stack gases treatment is needed to remove organic and inorganic contaminants and to protect the environment. University researchers have developed a comprehensive method and built industrial facilities for decontaminating wastewater of heavy metals, grease, oil and disperse organic particles using a combination of the electrochemical and membrane technologies. This project won the gold medal at the International Antikor-Galvanoservise Exhibi-tion held in Moscow, Russia, in 2003.

The environmental engeneering department has developed and implemented methods for environmental study of the geological environment at an industrial enterprise, which help to monitor the environment (soils and ground water) within the areas under control, as well as identify and account for the amount of pollutants.

Several enterprises have implemented and currently use with great success the thermocatalytic decontamination of waste gases of various organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, dibenzofurans, and other extremely toxic organic substances.

University researchers have also developed a method for biochemical water treatment. They have built a converter for biodegrading oil hydrocarbons, which is based on non-woven material with immobilised cells of microorganisms allowing to run water treatment several times in a row, and reduce hazardous content to the level of maximum permissible concentrations.

Chemistry and Polymer Technology

Over the past years the University has developed the following:

All-purpose water-retaining coatings for polymer materials used in health care (ophthalmology, blood transfusion systems, membrane and filtering devices); anti-static coatings; non-misting and non-freezing coatings for optical ware, etc.
The new-generation epoxy-phenolic varnishes for interior protection of metal food cans, aerosol containers, hard magnetic disks as storage medium, and other important purposes requiring universal chemical resistance, high adhesion, durability and elasticity of resulting coatings;
Alkyd materials with high content of non-volatile substances used for decorative painting and rust protection of products and surfaces;
Photocurable polymer materials for protective coatings;
Crack resistant sealing composite materials based on chlorosulphonated polyethylene to protect metallic, wooden and concrete structures;
The method for making highly resistant polyethylene-based combined pipes for oil and gas industry with enhanced operational characteristics for use in harsh climate conditions.
The method for recycling food polymer packaging made from the polyethylene terephtalate and making high-quality varnishes and paints, which was awarded the gold medal at the High Technologies International Exhibition, held in Moscow, Russia, in 2004).

Energy Materials Technology

Based on the NIS co-operation program for utilizing the ammunition, the Department of Chemical Technology Engineering has developed industrial water-proof explosive compounds for open and subsurface explosion jobs, also used in the geophysical prospecting, mineral development, metal processing, etc., which are authorised for use across Russia.

Biotechnology

Making wholesome products using microorganisms, using biological methods for quality control and environmental protection, restoration of polluted facilities, and recycling of various waste products are among the main areas of research conducted by the Biotechno-logy Department.

Projects developed by the Department include new food supplements, fodder products, bioactive substances, medicinal products based on the biomass of the microorganisms and its components made from a wide range of industrial raw materials and waste resulting from food and processing industry, agriculture, livestock breeding, and poultry industry.

The Department engages in the development of high-performance methods for microorganism cultivation, as well as new approaches to the management of enzyme processes.

The cutting-edge systems for biological treatment of waste water and water reservoirs, biological degrading of toxic waste, and biological soil remediation have been developed in the area of environmental biotechnology.

Nuclear Power Engineering Materials and Technologies

Separation of isotopes of light elements using physical and chemical methods constitutes the main area of activity that has been successfully developed by the research school established at the Department of Technology of Isotopes and Hydrogen Energetics for separation of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and boron isotopes have been developed and put into production.

The latest research has shown that using these technologies for medical purposes has a promising future. They have developed a method and built a pilot plant to obtain water with reduced content of heavy hydrogen and oxygen isotopes for use in the medical and biological studies and the promotion of human health.

The Department of Technology of Rare and Trace Elements and Nanomaterials on Their Basis has developed methods for separation of rare and platinum group metals from primary and industrial raw materials, separation of elements with very similar properties, and production of functional materials with a specified set of properties using these elements.

The Department of High-Energy Chemistry and Radioecology has as work in progress the development and implementation of innovative high-performance separator apparatus for low-temp rectification of hydrogen isotopes, in particular, for tritium production.

The first apparatus was made and tested during 2003-2004, and subsequently approved for industrial use. The Department also engages in the development of methods for controlling the behavior of natural and artificial radioactive nuclides in the environment, and protection of humans against their impact.

MUCTR was awarded a gold medal at the 21^st Century High Technologies International Forum held in Moscow in 2003 for achievements in building materials and technologies for nuclear industry.

Materials for Medicine and Health Care

The number of surgical interventions using artificial materials for replacing damaged bones in humans is continually growing across the world. MUCTR has developed materials based on glass, ceramics, and carbon for use in bone endoprosthetics in traumatic, maxillofacial, and dental surgery.

The Department of Glass and Glass Ceramics Technology has come up with a novel class of materials, the biological glass ceramics, which have excellent mechanical properties, are biologically active, and capable of growing into the living bone tissue. The Department was awarded the State Prize for this achievement in 2003.

The development of multi-use sorption materials is a traditional area of research pursued by the Department: It has synthesi-sed over 80 brands of selective sorption agents used in hemosorption and entero-sorption, environmental monitoring systems, etc.

The Department of Chemical Technology of Plastic Materials has developed a number of polymer materials with enhanced biological compatibility. In conjunction with the IRTC Eye Microsurgery State Institution, the Department has developed unique materials used in ophthalmology for making intra ocular lenses and vitreous body implants, and manufacturing extended-wear contact lenses.

The Department of Technology of Organic Substances and Chemical Pharmaceutical Compounds engages in the development and studies of new pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics, polymer and inorganic materials for medial use.

Agricultural Chemistry

The production methods for making new plant growth regulators and plant-protecting agents have been finalised and made available for industrial use by the Department of Chemical Technology of Polymers.

The Department is currently developing industrial methods for manufacturing a preserving agent for agricultural products, such as vegetables, fruits, berries, and flowers.

The Department of Chemical Technology for Basic Organic and Petrochemical Synthesis has developed an ozone-based technology for manufacturing bioactive preparations from crude oil used as plant growth enhancers for various types of seeds, including cucumber, tomato, corn, melons and gourds, legumes, as well as rose and hawthorn grafts.

Catalysts and Catalytic Processes

The progress achieved by MUCTR in the area of kinetics and catalysis spans a wide range of issues from the development of theoretical foundations to addressing the applied tasks.

The latest achievement of the University resulting from the collaborative effort of several departments includes the develop-ment of a series of multipurpose catalysts based on a modular highly porous acid-proof cellular carrying agent. Metals from the 8^th Group of D. Mendeleyev Periodic Table, as well as their mixtures with promoting additives, are used as active agents. The catalysts can be used in different branches of the national economy, and in addressing the environmen-tal safety issues. The catalysts have been commercially tested for the synthesis of aromatic compounds; removal of carbon oxide and nitrogen oxide from vehicle exhausts.

Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials have already established their presence in our life and are used for the industrial, medical and environmental purposes.

Nanoparticles and nanostructured objects possess special, often unique properties that differ from the ones available in macro-objects. This opens doors to making conceptually novel materials and devices.

D. Mendeleev University has the following work in progress with regard to nanotechnologies and nanomaterials:

Structural synthesis using carbon (nanotubes), silica, metals and other inorganic materials, study of their properties and use in scientific research and industry;
Development of substance separation and concentration processes using nanoparticles and nanostructures;
Synthesis and study of the surfactant-formed nanostructure properties and their use in medicine and cosmetics;
Nanostructure synthesis using the supramolecular chemistry;
Application of information technologies for simulation, study, and prediction of the nanomaterial properties.

The Department of Glass and Glass Ceramics has developed a whole gamut of nanostructured transparent glasses based on Me₂O-Nb₂O₅-XO₂ systems to replace imports with more efficient products and technology. The newly developed glass will for the first time ever implement the precision control for both linear and non-linear optical specifications of glass materials. The specifications available in these new materials make them a viable choice for wide use in fiber optical components and devices, optical electronics and laser equipment.

A number of the University departments are involved in synthesizing carbon nanotubes and nanofibres, which can be further used for building composite materials based on commercial polymers, graphite substitutes in electro-technical devices, supercondenser electrodes, fuel cells, emitter displays, filters, catalyst carriers, as well as during various synthesis processes. Concurrently, the Department of Cybernetics of the Chemical Technology Processes has developed an information system covering the nanotubular form of the matter and the carbon nanotube synthesis simulation.

The Department of Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials has developed the nanostructured emulsions and gels used as a basis for making medical and cosmetic compounds. The nanostructure-enabled creams offer outstanding protective properties in combination with skin softening and moisturizing effect.

D. Mendeleev University Molecular Materials interdepartmental research lab has won the First Youth Project to Build Russian Molecular Nanotechnology Contest held in 2004 for the projects entitled Self-Organizing Biologically Inspired Polymers for Manufacturing Optical Nanosensors and Design and Molecular Engineering of Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Biomimetical Materials Intended for Target Use in Molecular Nanoelectronics and Biomedicine.

Safety in Production Processes and Facilities

Chemical production is one of the most hazardous technology-induced sources of impact on humans and the environment. Therefore, the prevention of accidents at hazardous chemical and petrochemical production facilities, risk analysis and evaluation, as well as the chemical production facility safety management is a critical issue, which needs to be dealt with immediately.

MUCTR has developed software applications for analysing production hazards, evaluating the risk of accidents in the chemical, petrochemical, and related industries, assessment of the chemical accidents aftermath resulting from the destruction or damage to vessels, reservoirs, or piping (measuring pollutant content in air in time and in distance), and for identification of the emergency air pollution sources. This software application uses innovative methods for automated building the emergency situation tree charts and probability assessment of the environmental, economic, and social risks resulting from emergency situations at the industrial enterprises.

The Department of Life Safety conducts studies in the field of fire and explosion safety, and heat resistance of products formed as the result of chemical and related industries.

The Department of Technological Processes Reliability and Safety focuses its studies on managing industrial safety of hazardous production facilities at coke-chemical enterprises, and the development of physical and chemical basics of the condensed systems explosion safety theory. The Department develops and implements explosion-safe and environmentally friendly compounds using military conversion explosives as the base material. The research results have been put into commercial use at the enterprises run by Severstal, Yarsintez, FGUP State R&D Kristall Bureau, FGUP KNIIM, and on mining enterprises located in the Leningrad Region.

Performance Indicators of Research Programmes

As the result of educational and research activities of D. Mendeleev teachers and scientists over 1600 articles, 67 collections of research papers, 42 monographs and about 300 textbooks have been published for the last five years. Our scientists obtained 45 patents of the Russian Federation.

Research programmes are developed in the collaboration with colleagues from Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, China, Chili, Latvia, Finland, Poland, Check Republic, Egypt, South Korea, Syria and Tunisia.

Our University successfully participates in international science and technical exhibitions such as “Chemistry”, “Gold Innovations of Russia”, “High Technologies of the XXI Century”, “AquaTech”, “Anti-Corrosion and Electroplating”, “Hannover Industrial Fair”, “Information and Telecommunication Technologies in Education” and others.

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