Russia Honors Leading Young Scientists

In Russia, the 10th All-Russian Youth Scientific Forum “Science of the Future – Science of the Young” has successfully concluded, culminating in the announcement of finalists for its highly anticipated student and postgraduate research paper competition. This milestone event, hosted in Saratov, drew an impressive gathering of over 600 promising young researchers and esteemed global scientists.

Sergey Salikhov, Chairman of the forum`s program committee and First Vice-Rector of NUST MISIS, highlighted that the forum was initially established in 2014. It was conceived through a joint initiative of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and a group of “mega-grant scientists” who recognized the importance of imparting their scientific knowledge to the next generation of talented youth.

“It works! This year`s forum marked a decade of success, and we`ve witnessed an extraordinary volume of brilliant work spanning a wide array of scientific disciplines. A significant portion of these projects leverage the advanced research developed in laboratories funded by the mega-grant program,” Salikhov remarked.

He further observed that the research showcased at the competition is demonstrating an increasing trend towards practical application. This provides an invaluable opportunity for young scientists to gain visibility, encouraging real-world industries to embrace fresh scientific concepts that have become noticeably more innovative among younger generations in recent years.

Outstanding Research Highlights

Earth Sciences, Ecology, and Rational Environmental Management

In the “Earth Sciences, Ecology, and Rational Environmental Management” section, Aina Tumas, a postgraduate student from the A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, achieved first place. Her winning research was titled “Infection of Commercial Mollusk Species with Parasitic Microalgae.”

Tumas explained, “The Russian Far East is widely recognized for its thriving aquaculture farms. Five years ago, my research team identified green commercial mollusks, which are highly valued for their nutritional content in China.” She elaborated that this discovery prompted scientists to investigate: “Why are these mollusks acquiring a green hue?”

“Our investigations revealed that the mollusks are infected with parasitic microalgae,” she stated. Tumas clarified that these microalgae pose a risk not because of toxins released during blooms, but due to their ability to infiltrate the mollusk`s tissues, causing damage. Furthermore, she noted that the green discoloration renders the mollusks unappealing and unsuitable for commercial sale. Currently, her research group is dedicated to developing effective treatment strategies for these affected mollusks, aiming to safeguard individuals engaged in independent harvesting and to preserve the delicate marine ecosystem.

Chemistry and Chemical Technologies

Tatiana Rokhmanka, a postgraduate student at the A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis of the Russian Academy of Sciences, secured second place in the “Chemistry and Chemical Technologies” section. Her innovative work focused on the development of highly efficient membranes made from polyalkylmethylsiloxanes for the separation of hydrocarbon gases.

“This novel polymer membrane, crafted from silicone rubber, offers an effective solution for extracting valuable hydrocarbons from both natural and associated petroleum gases (APG),” she detailed. “We meticulously refined the synthesis process and optimized the polymer`s cross-linked structure to achieve superior transport and separation characteristics for the membrane.” According to Rokhmanka, this advancement contributes to stabilizing the membrane`s transport properties and significantly reduces the energy required for hydrocarbon extraction. “In comparison to imported membranes, our innovation can decrease the energy consumption for conditioning natural and associated petroleum gases by a factor of nearly five,” she emphasized.

She further elaborated on the broader implications of her research, explaining that approximately a quarter of the associated petroleum gas extracted globally is currently burned, leading to a significant environmental challenge. “Our proposal is to redirect these valuable products back into the industrial cycle instead of incinerating them, as they serve as foundational materials for producing paints, polymers, solvents, and numerous other vital compounds,” the scientist added.

Information Technologies and Mathematics

In the “Information Technologies and Mathematics” section, Kirill Glinsky, a postgraduate student at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, claimed the top prize. His research involved the application of machine learning methods to achieve ultra-reliable, low-latency communication in next-generation cellular networks.

“Many people typically associate cellular communication with simple tasks like making a call or streaming video on a train. However, cellular technology possesses a far greater potential, capable of tasks such as controlling autonomous trucks or facilitating advancements in telemedicine,” the young scientist pointed out. In this evolving landscape, he affirmed, ensuring ultra-reliable communication with minimal latency is becoming a critical objective in the advancement of fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication.

“Through my research, I developed a series of machine learning-based algorithms designed to maintain high communication reliability and guarantee low latencies, even when users are moving at high speeds, for instance, while traveling in a car,” he reported. Glinsky underscored that, when compared to existing algorithms, the implementation of these AI methods has the potential to double the network`s capacity.