October 17 marked the 120th anniversary of the birth of Honoured Scientist of the RSFSR, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor, Rector of Saratov University (1950-1965) Roman Mertslin.
Roman Mertslin was a prominent scientist and public activist, a talented teacher and organiser of science. Rector of Perm State University (1941-1946), and then Saratov State University.
He did the research in physical and chemical analysis of heterogeneous condensed states in multicomponent systems. His scientific works became well-known not only in Russia, but also abroad.
Roman Mertslin developed a new method for studying phase states – the isothermal cross-section method. Together with Natalia Nikurashina, he experimentally discovered critical higher-order phenomena for liquid-liquid-liquid equilibrium, proposed the concept of the predominant interaction of components in triple and quadruple systems, developed schemes for the formation of equilibria of three liquid and one solid phases, as well as four liquid phases in quadruple systems. Professor Mertslin founded at the Faculty of Chemistry, SSU, the only Department of Physical and Chemical Analysis in the history of Russian universities and a scientific school on the physical and chemical analysis of multicomponent liquid-phase systems.
During the years of Mertslin's work as the SSU rector, the number of researchers and students doubled, the number of postgraduates tripled. Three research institutes, seven laboratories developed and strengthened, SSU Publishing House was established, Bldg. 5, high pressure laboratories, and student dormitories were built, as well as the Chardym sports and recreation centre was opened. Roman Mertslin paid great attention to strengthening scientific and cultural connections with other Russian universities. As part of various Soviet delegations, he visited the German Democratic Republic, Finland, Romania, and the USA.
Prof. Mertslin was a prominent public activist. He was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, a member of the Saratov Regional Committee of the CPSU, Chair of the Regional Committee for the Protection of Peace, a delegate of the historic 20th Congress of the CPSU, and he was awarded with the Order of Lenin.
To mark the 100th anniversary from the birth of Roman Mertslin, a memorial plaque with his bas-relief on the facade of SSU Bldg. 1 was unveiled. The main chemical hall, where he gave lectures, was named after him in 2003. The laboratory where Mertslin and his staff worked is also named after him.
A whole generation of scientists specialising in physical and chemical analysis have grown up at Saratov State University supervised by Roman Mertslin – Doctor of Chemical Sciences Natalia Nikurashina, Candidates of Chemical Sciences Lyudmila Kamayevskaya, Gennadii Ostapenko, Galina Kharitonova, Konstantin Ilyin, Alexander Gei, Svetlana Sinegubova, Valentina Petelina, and Irina Shubtsova.
Currently, a new generation of scientists belonging to Professor Mertslin’s scientific school of, as well as his followers, successfully continue fundamental and applied research in physical and chemical analysis of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. These are Doctors of Chemical Sciences Konstantin Ilyin, Anatolii Demakhin, Dmitrii Cherkasov, Candidates of Chemical Sciences Victor Kurskii, Maksim Smotrov, and a postgraduate Veronica Danilina, who is going to present her PhD thesis.
The Saratov TV programme, From Time to Time, which aired on October 17 at 9.35 am on the Russia 1 – Saratov TV channel, is dedicated to Prof. Mertslin’s memory. You can watch it here.
