SSU opens a new lab in collaboration with the Foundation for Prospective Studies
On November 21, 2014, Saratov State University opened a new lab “Tailored Material” in collaboration with the Foundation for Prospective Studies.
Foundation for Prospective Studies Director A.I. Grigoriev, Saratov Region Governor V.V. Radaev, Minister for Industry and Energy S.M. Lisovski, Saratov State University Rector, Prof. A.N. Chumachenko, Saratov State University President, Prof. L.Yu. Kossovich, regional government members and Defense Ministry research centers representatives visited the presentation of the new structural unit.
Governor V.V. Radaev welcomed the party and said creation of a new SSU lab together with the FPS was possible because of the university’s high potential and engineering capabilities. “This platform is unique because it’s going to be a test model for Saratov scientists’ innovations commercialization. Innovation materials are also unique; they will have strategic importance for Russian military and Special Forces. This project will become Saratov region innovation brand”, summed up V.V. Radaev.
Foundation for Prospective Studies Director A.I. Grigoriev told about main goals of the foundation and its cooperation with SSU. “We have started working with Saratov State University right after our foundation because we saw good scientific schools here that work in our priority fields”. The foundation plans to create a new scientific school at SSU that will carry out research in new materials development. A.I. Grigoriev mentioned they have to develop manufacturing implementation of the innovations.
SSU Rector A.N. Chumachenko thanked the Foundation. He believes such a group of ambitious professional scientists ensures the project’s success. “L.Yu. Kossovich has created a great team and set a goal to turn all innovations into real products. Now the ideas we develop find their consumer”, said the Rector.
Minister for Industry and Energy S.M. Lisovski said the project is very important for the region’s industry. He named several big enterprises in the region that need technologies developed in the university. “Combination of Saratov university innovation materials and the products of the regional enterprises makes it possible to create a new innovative cluster in Saratov Region”, said the Minister.
Lab scientific advisor, Prof. L.Yu. Kossovich paid special attention to technological evolution of innovation materials development at Saratov University. It started in 2007 when the university won the innovative education program contest. The university founded Education and Research Institute of Nanostructures and Biosystems that first created a unique tailored material - chitosan-based adhesive bandage. In 2010, the university received the status of the National research University and opened several innovation centers. Cooperation agreement with the Foundation for Prospective Studies was a great milestone in the university history. The contract on development project “Prospective masking materials for military uniform complex development” was signed. The project works in three main directions: masking, defense, and viability. Saratov lab materials have significant technological advantages.
A new lab is a structural unit of SSU Education and Research Institute of Nanostructures and Biosystems; it is based at Innovation and Technology Center at “Reflector” plant. Laboratory staff includes 27 workers; among them are 5 Full Professors and 12 PhD Professors.
Project realization will allow developing and producing ultra-fine air and gas filtration systems, ultra-fine liquid filtration systems, energy application materials, and new structural compound materials.
Later the guests visited lab technological premises at the plant and heard a report by the laboratory head. They also attended a press conference.
In January 2014, SSU project was presented at the Foundation for Prospective Studies exhibition at OJSC “Instrument Engineering Design Bureau” in Tula. This innovation will become a part of mega-project “Defender of the Future”. The project will develop defense materials for subtle aerosols with submicrometer dimensions that use nanofiber filter systems.