Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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Natalia Grozova, an engineer at the Polymer Composite Materials laboratory of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU "Digital Engineering", a graduate of the master's program of the PIS "Mechanics of Polymer and Composite Materials", spoke at a pitch session during the XII International Forum of Technological Development "Technoprom-2025".
The event was attended by young engineers and researchers from various Russian universities. They presented their experience of studying, participating in projects and interacting with industrial partners.
Natalia Grozova noted the practical orientation of the training in her speech: As part of our master's program, we were not limited to fundamental disciplines, but studied in depth specialized areas of polymer and composite materials. Internships at enterprises such as UEC Saturn and cooperation with the Kabardino-Balkarian State University allowed us to immerse ourselves in the processes of synthesis and processing of materials. This approach made it possible not only to master the theory, but also to immediately apply knowledge in real projects.
The Polytechnic engineer spoke about the main areas of research at the Polymer Composite Materials laboratory, on which the master's program is based:
technologies of impregnation with thermoplastic polymers; technologies of welding composite materials from thermoplastic polymers; development of technology for automated laying out of thermoplastic tape; development of technology and equipment for recycling waste and end-of-life products from thermoplastic polymer composite materials (TPCM); development of optically transparent composite materials for use in solar batteries; development of auxiliary technologies and equipment; study of the processes of formation and evolution of the structure of TPCM (crystallization kinetics, radiation resistance, aging, etc.).
“Our laboratory develops a technology for impregnating tapes with thermoplastic polymers, which was implemented in the interests of the composite division of Rosatom – JSC Umatex,” said Natalia Grozova. – My direct participation in the project was related to assistance in developing a technology for impregnating thermoplastic polymers to obtain a filament continuously reinforced for 3D printing. This is one of the leading technologies that is currently being implemented in our country. In early 2023, a laboratory unit with four lines was developed and manufactured to obtain continuously reinforced filament on the superstructural and high-temperature polymer polyetheretherketone. It was a laboratory unit with a capacity of 500 meters per hour. In 2024, we developed a pilot industrial unit for 40 reels, which has a record productivity of 12,000 meters per hour.”
The topic of the final qualification work and master's thesis of the graduate of the SPbPU PISh "Digital Engineering" is "Development of optically transparent composite materials for the protection of solar elements of satellites". This work is carried out in cooperation with the company "Bureau 1440".
We have conducted a large cycle of research related to the study of methods for obtaining and ensuring resistance to radiation exposure of optically transparent polymer composite materials based on thermoplastic polyurethane and glass fillers of various shapes to create protective coatings for solar cells used in spacecraft, Natalia Grozova summarized.
Following the pitch session, participants confirmed that leading engineering schools are currently shaping a new generation of engineers who combine fundamental training with industry skills.
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