Konstantin Ilyin, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor of the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the Institute of Chemistry, SSU, Honourary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation, a well-known specialist in physical and chemical analysis of multicomponent systems, turned 80 on March 28.
For more than 55 years, he has been engaged in research, continuing the work of his supervisor Roman Mertslin, a legendary chemist, one of the rectors of the university, the founder of the scientific school of physical and chemical analysis.
Since 1985, when his famous professors passed away, Konstantin Ilyin has been heading this scientific direction at the university.
Physical and chemical analysis is the basis of materials science. Extraction of the necessary components from complex mixtures and solutions, purification, and production of pure substances – all this is very important for various industries. This topic will always be relevant. The widespread use of three- and four-component systems with condensed phase equilibria in various industries and research requires constant development of the theory of phase equilibria. Guided by Konstantin Ilyin, fundamental work is carried out to identify patterns and develop schemes for the topological transformation of phase diagrams of three- and four-component systems with equilibria of condensed phases in critical and non-critical states.
The professor considers continuity in science, ideas, and scientific directions to be very important. ‘We continue to maintain this connection. Some of Roman Mertslin's ideas, which he did not implement, have been developed later. We have experimentally confirmed many of his hypotheses, we have proposed new modifications of the methods and developed an original methodology for the polythermal study of phase diagrams.’
The research carried out under Ilyin’s leadership is supported by grants from International Science Foundation, the International Programme of Education in Natural Sciences of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. The results of the study of five triple systems are included in the CODATA international database of physical and chemical data.
He has published more than 240 works. Three PhD and one doctoral dissertations have been successfully presented under his supervision.
At the age of 80, the former member of the Funny and Witty Club remains cheerful and resourceful, colleagues and students appreciate his sense of humour, intelligence, open-mindedness, and professionalism. And we talked almost “on equal terms” with a talented man, enthusiastic not only about science, but also about life itself. Read the interview with Konstantin Ilyin entitled I Like Enthusiastic People! in the Research City section.
The staff of Saratov State University congratulates Konstantin Ilyin on his birthday and wishes him working at the university for many more years!
