Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On November 27, a plenary session entitled "Big Challenges: Impetus for Development" was held at the Sirius University of Science and Technology. The event, timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear industry, brought together leading experts in science and technology. Andrey Rudskoy, Rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, participated in the session.
The meeting discussed strategic directions for the development of Russian science and the role of the nuclear industry in the country's technological sovereignty. Participants paid particular attention to training personnel for high-tech industries and developing scientific infrastructure. St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has traditionally been a key source of personnel for the nuclear and other industries, and the university's research finds application in various sectors of the economy.
"The Congress of Young Scientists is an important platform for shaping the scientific agenda," noted the SPbPU rector. "Participation in such events allows us not only to stay abreast of the latest trends but also to assess the prospects for integrating university science into solving major technological challenges."
At the Polytechnic University stand, Rector Andrey Rudskoy discussed projects presented by the Student Scientific Society (SSS) and the Council of Young Scientists (CYS) with students, postgraduate students, and young scientists.
These initiatives need to be developed and boldly brought to the implementation stage. The future of science belongs to you: students, graduate students, and young researchers. Your energy and innovative approach are the main resource for scientific discoveries," the university's director encouraged the young innovators.
The Student Research Community provides students with their first research experience, putting their academic theories to the test. The Council of Young Scientists is a community of graduate students, engineers, and researchers under 35 who not only conduct their own projects but also help their colleagues apply for grants, organize scientific seminars, and coordinate interdisciplinary work.
During the Congress of Young Scientists, the Polytechnic University's stand brought together projects where fundamental science addresses specific challenges facing industry and society, and became a platform for open dialogue where young scientists discussed their projects and promising ideas.
Polytechnicians and invited speakers demonstrated how their research influences development in a wide range of fields, from energy to history.
Oleg Shmakov, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Automation and Robotics at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport and project manager for the Priority 2030 program, presented a robotic system for gas pipeline diagnostics.
"The length of our main pipelines exceeds 170,000 kilometers," the scientist explained. "The robots we've developed allow for their effective monitoring, preventing accidents."
Irina Anikina, Associate Professor at the Institute of Power Engineering's Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Energy, demonstrated how digital technologies are transforming the industry. Her team is creating digital twins of power equipment that "learn" from sensor data.
These models don't just describe an asset; they account for its wear and tear in real time. This allows for predicting breakdowns and optimizing repair schedules, Anikin noted.
Konstantin Semenov, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Computer Technology and Information Systems at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity, proposed examining the very nature of measurement. His paper, "Absolutely Precise Measurements Are a Coarsening of Reality," explores how error affects our understanding of the world and why striving for perfect accuracy can be a simplification.
Zoya Korobova, Chair of the Council of Young Scientists at the Pasteur Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in St. Petersburg and a researcher in the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, discussed the new role of the immune system.
Today, we see that immunity is not just a protector, but a key regulator of most processes in the body. Studying it opens up new possibilities for treating a wide range of diseases, the researcher said.
Natalia Morozova, Associate Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology, Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production, presented a paper titled "Tools and Methods of Genome Editing," highlighting the current opportunities and challenges in this rapidly developing field. She also detailed examples of successful applications of CRISPR-Cas technologies to address challenges in biotechnology and medicine.
Ekaterina Pchitskaya, Head of the Biomedical Image and Data Analysis Laboratory at the Institute of Cardiology and Biophysics, presented a paper titled "Artificial Intelligence for Studying the Natural: Synapses, Neural Networks, and Behavior." The scientist demonstrated how machine learning methods can decipher complex processes occurring in the nervous system and link neuronal activity to behavioral events.
Tatyana Koryakovtseva, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering at the Civil Engineering Institute, conducted a study on the concrete of the future. Scientists are incorporating synthetic and natural materials into traditional concrete to create stronger and warmer building composites. The project includes an environmental assessment of the materials, enabling the selection of not only effective but also sustainable solutions.
Ilya Sidorchuk, a professor at the Higher School of International Relations at the Humanities Institute, took the audience into the world of suburban science.
"The history of suburbs helps us understand how modern urban life was shaped," the professor believes. "By studying the everyday lives of residents, we see that the city is a complex organism where the interests of people, government, and nature are intertwined."
Lyudmila Dorofeeva, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Regional Economic Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Chair of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists, spoke about the practical implementation of these developments. She presented a unique continuing education program, "Qualified Customer – Qualified Contractor," which Polytechnic University is implementing in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
We train specialists who are able to intelligently set scientific goals and understand how to apply their results in the real sector, Dorofeeva explained.
The Polytechnic University's scientific program, presented at the stand, demonstrates how the university creates an environment where engineering solutions, historical analysis, and biomedical research combine to offer answers to complex modern challenges.
Recognized experts also spoke at the Polytechnic University stand: Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolai Kuznetsov and biotechnology specialist Youssef Khesuani.
Nikolai Kuznetsov presented the theory of hidden oscillations—a branch of nonlinear dynamics that allows for the detection of hidden threats in complex engineering systems. Unlike classical oscillations, hidden attractors do not manifest near equilibrium points, making them particularly dangerous. A system can maintain apparent stability for years until a random impact triggers a catastrophic failure.
"Hidden oscillations are not an abstract concept, but a real engineering problem," noted Professor Kuznetsov. "We've learned to detect them before they lead to accidents. Our theory helps prevent power system failures and improves flight safety."
The theory received practical confirmation during the analysis of the accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant. The methods are already being used in projects with RusHydro and the Elektropribor Central Research Institute, demonstrating that fundamental mathematics is becoming a key tool for ensuring the safety of complex technical systems.
Yusef Khesuani discussed modern advances in 3D bioprinting—a technology for layer-by-layer fabrication of tissue constructs based on digital models. He focused on practical aspects, such as the need for careful selection of printing conditions and subsequent growth of the constructs in bioreactors.
The uniqueness of our collagen solutions lies in their ability to work with cells without neutralizing acidity and their high biocompatibility after implantation, the researcher explained.
The technology is already demonstrating successful use cases, from eardrum repair to the creation of custom-made ear implants. Its future lies in the development of invasive methods that allow printing directly into the damaged area.
Both speakers noted the special role of the Polytechnic University as an integrator of science and practice.
"This is a unique platform where fundamental theory meets real-world challenges," concluded Nikolai Kuznetsov. "It's here that high-tech solutions in demand by the real economy are developed."
Yusef Khesuani added: "Young researchers from the Polytechnic University are renowned for their work, ranging from the creation of new materials to medical diagnostic systems. Seeing such motivated scientists among the audience and exchanging ideas with them creates a unique creative atmosphere."
The Polytechnic's stand confirmed the university's status as a center for interdisciplinary scientific collaborations and the creation of technologies that define the country's technological sovereignty.
The participation of Polytechnic University leadership in the Congress of Young Scientists demonstrated the university's active role in shaping the country's scientific and technological policy and its readiness to implement ambitious projects in partnership with leading research centers and industrial enterprises.
The Polytechnic University serves as a key link between academic research and the real sector. Polytechnic researchers' research in new materials, energy, and digital technologies is directly applied by Russian enterprises. This strengthens the country's technological sovereignty and competitiveness.
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