Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Yulianna Morozova, a postgraduate student at the RUDN University Engineering Academy, was named a finalist in the UMNIK-2025 competition, a prestigious project of the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASI). She received an individual grant of 500,000 rubles for research in the field of "H3. New Materials and Chemical Technologies."
In total, UMNIK-2025 received over 3,300 applications from across the country in six key areas: digital technologies, medicine and health-preserving technologies, new materials and chemical technologies, new devices and intelligent manufacturing technologies, biotechnology, and resource-saving energy. Following a competitive selection process, 500 applications were recommended for funding.
Liquid rubber binder
Yulianna presented a research project at the competition on the topic: "Development of polymer concrete based on liquid rubber: an innovative material for the production of building structures with high chemical resistance to aggressive environments."
"In Russia, with its wide range of industrial facilities and developed chemical, mining, and processing industries, building materials lack sufficient resistance to aggressive environmental influences, including acids, alkalis, and salts. This leads to rapid structural deterioration. Therefore, in 2023, when I was choosing a topic for my PhD dissertation, my supervisor, Galina Okolnikova, suggested exploring a little-studied area of developing a new class of high-strength, crack-resistant, and chemically resistant building materials that combine the advantages of elastomers and traditional concrete," says Yuliana Morozova.
According to the girl, the novelty of this material lies in the use of liquid rubber as the main polymer binder. The preliminary results of the study have already been published in scientific papers at the Higher Attestation Commission level and presented at various scientific conferences, including the BRICS conference.
"To implement the project, Galina Erikovna and I are working on selecting the composition and production technology for a composite material based on liquid rubber, conducting practical tests at the RUDN laboratory, and planning to file a patent application," says Yuliana Morozova.
As the graduate student notes, her experience writing scientific articles for publication in the Scopus, Higher Attestation Commission (VAK), and Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) databases, as well as more than six years of participation in national and international conferences, including receiving a grant from the President of the Russian Federation during her master's degree, continue to inspire her to develop and achieve new achievements in the field of construction.
The fruit of hard work
According to her supervisor, Galina Okolnikova, a PhD candidate in engineering, Yulianna's professional approach and desire to develop in the construction industry caught her attention when she enrolled at RUDN University. Previously, the graduate student successfully completed her bachelor's and master's degrees (with honors) at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and was accepted to our university on a scholarship.
"Yulianna's victory is a clear testament to the fruits of her persistent and long-term work on developing an innovative material. Our research is aimed at producing a composite material, Cautone, for the production of building structures operating under high mechanical loads and aggressive chemical environments. We expect to obtain a material with increased durability, resistance to acids, salts, and cyclic loads," says Galina Okolnikova.
An associate professor in the Department of Construction Technologies and Structural Materials at RUDN University emphasizes that the university laboratory where they are conducting their research is equipped with cutting-edge, modern equipment, allowing them to practice key production processes. The grant will help implement a promising project with significant practical implications for the construction industry.
About the FSI and the UMNIK competition
The Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises in Science and Technology (FSI) is a non-profit organization whose key goal is to provide financial support to young scientists and small businesses engaged in scientific research with high commercialization potential.
The UMNIK program is one of the Foundation's projects, aimed at supporting commercially oriented scientific and technical projects by young innovators. Young people aged 18 to 35, Russian citizens, and who have not previously won the program are eligible to participate. Finalists receive 500,000 rubles for 12 months to continue their research and implement their proposed project.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.