Builders and restorers defended their projects under the professional retraining program.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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At the Institute of Civil Engineering of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, students who completed their additional professional retraining program in "Reconstruction and Restoration of Buildings" defended their final theses.

The program is integrated into the core educational trajectory of the sixth-year specialist program "Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures" in the "Construction of High-Rise and Large-Span Buildings and Structures" program at the Institute of Scientific Research and is aimed at training specialists capable of working with cultural heritage sites in strict compliance with current legislation and modern restoration standards. The program is being implemented as part of the "Development of a System for Students to Simultaneously Obtain Multiple Qualifications within Professional Education" initiative, part of the "Priority 2030" strategic project.

During their training, students gained in-depth knowledge of restoration regulations and were introduced to technologies and methods for organizing work at cultural heritage sites. Lectures and practical exercises were conducted by experts from the Committee for State Control, Use, and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments, as well as representatives of the Union of Restorers of St. Petersburg.

In addition to representatives of the Institute of Scientific Research, the examination committee included Deputy Director of the Union of Restorers of St. Petersburg Alexandra Komissarova, Director of the Department of Repair and Technical Supervision of SPbPU Elena Ermakova, and Head of the Production and Technical Department of SPbPU Maxim Borbat.

The final theses focused on the restoration of cultural heritage sites. The projects presented included the restoration of the SPbPU Hydrotower extension, Hydrobuilding 1, the passageway between Academic Buildings 1 and 2, the restoration of a palace that is part of the federal cultural heritage site "Palace and Park Ensemble 'Obshchnaya Dacha'," and the cultural heritage site "I.V. Pashkov's House (Department of Appanages)."

Each assignment involved completing a comprehensive task that encompassed all key stages of the restoration project. The students prepared the initial permitting documentation, photographed and surveyed the building facades, developed a research program, and conducted a wide range of studies—from historical, archival, and bibliographical to engineering, technical, and spatial planning. Based on the data obtained, a complete set of design documentation was developed, including an explanatory note, architectural solutions, cost estimates, and methodological recommendations for the restoration.

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.

St. Petersburg scientists' contribution to the country's technological leadership: a press conference at TASS

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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A press conference was held at the TASS press center in St. Petersburg to mark Russian Science Day and to highlight cutting-edge research from the city's leading engineering schools and support for scientists.

The press conference was attended by: Vladimir Knyaginin, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg; Andrey Rudskoy, Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the St. Petersburg Branch of the RAS, and Rector of SPbPU; Vadim Popkov, Head of the Laboratory of Materials and Processes for Hydrogen Energy at the A.F. Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, laureate of the Presidential Prize of the Russian Federation; Pavel Novikov, Director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Materials at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport at SPbPU; and Igor Furtat, Head of the Laboratory of Adaptive and Intelligent Control of Network and Distributed Systems at the Institute for Problems in Mechanical Engineering of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

At the beginning of the event, Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov addressed the press center guests via video link. He reminded everyone that the press conference was part of a joint project between the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and the TASS news agency dedicated to Russian Science Day, and congratulated everyone on the upcoming holiday.

Vladimir Knyaginin began his speech by congratulating scientists and everyone involved in science.

"Twenty percent of the active workforce either works in science or studies at universities. Statistics show that 72,000 people are employed in the R&D sector, and its impact on the city's economy is enormous. We celebrate with everyone; for us, this is an opportunity to once again thank those who do complex, intellectually challenging, and important work," Vladimir Nikolaevich noted.

The Deputy Governor recalled that the Priority 2030 and Advanced Engineering Schools programs were reorganized in 2025, with the importance of industry ties increased. Vladimir Knyaginin also discussed the city government's support for scientific institutions and scientists, the progress of projects to create technology valleys, including the Polytech Technopolis, and cooperation with the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

This theme was further explored in his speech by Andrey Rudskoy, Chairman of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He shared the results of the work of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which will celebrate its third anniversary in May 2026. He emphasized that the branch's relationship with the city and Leningrad Oblast governments has shifted from sporadic expert review to a systemic partnership and joint work on strategic documents and events. Cooperation agreements have been signed with the city and regional chambers of commerce and industry, and the integration of science and business is underway.

Our work is based on an interdisciplinary, fundamental approach. We have become the main intellectual headquarters not only of St. Petersburg but also of the Northwest. One of our goals is to expand the scientific community; today, we have 185 members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the second-largest number among the departments," Andrei Ivanovich emphasized.

Andrey Rudskoy also congratulated the city's scientists on their professional holiday and specifically highlighted the outstanding developments of St. Petersburg's academic institutes. Vadim Popkov, Head of the Laboratory of Materials and Processes for Hydrogen Energy at the A.F. Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and laureate of the Russian Presidential Prize, spoke about one of these developments—the creation of hydrogen fueling stations.

Pavel Novikov, Director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Materials at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Technology SPbPU, presented a multidisciplinary research project on the manufacture of hot gas path components for gas turbine engines for gas pumping units at a press conference.

"The Russian Federation has the largest gas transportation infrastructure in the world, so it's crucial to ensure import independence in this area," the scientist explained. "Together with Gazprom, we are developing and implementing technologies and products, such as nozzle assemblies and fuel injectors, into gas compressor units that deliver gas to various parts of our country and abroad. The multidisciplinary nature of our work means that, together with other institutes, we implement an end-to-end production and implementation cycle, from product design, the creation of new materials and equipment, to the manufacture of finished products. In other words, we are a fully-fledged, knowledge-intensive manufacturing company."

Pavel Novikov elaborated on the production of technologically advanced components, namely rotor blades: "We're taking a comprehensive approach to this issue, developing equipment, materials, and products. We've already produced prototypes, and they're currently undergoing testing. Thanks to our university's full-cycle equipment, from material synthesis to finished product synthesis, we're solving this problem quite effectively. Rotor blades are the quintessential component of gas turbine engine design, and they have the greatest impact on their efficiency and performance. We're implementing this project with support from the Priority 2030 program, using our own funds and those of our industrial partners—in other words, with the support of the real economy."

Igor Furtat, head of the Adaptive and Intelligent Control of Network and Distributed Systems laboratory at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute for Problems in Mechanical Engineering, also spoke at the TASS press center about projects.

At the end of the press conference, the guests answered questions from the audience.

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.

Polytechnic University engineers have developed efficient pumps for handling highly contaminated liquids.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Engineers from the Hydromechanical Engineering Laboratory at the Higher School of Power Engineering, Institute of Power Engineering (HSEM IE), Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, have developed a line of highly efficient free-vortex dewatering pumps optimized for handling contaminated liquids. The efficiency of the new pumps is, on average, 1–3% higher than that of leading global equivalents. This work is being supported by the federal program "Priority 2030."

Sewage pumps often struggle to handle dirty liquids, wear quickly due to abrasive particles, fail, and have low efficiency. Meanwhile, free-vortex pumps (FVPs), which are resistant to very dirty water carrying sand, debris, wipes, medical masks, solids, fibrous media, and abrasive particles, have been the least studied due to the complex flow patterns within the flow path. However, using FVPs instead of traditional centrifugal pumps in wastewater treatment plants allows for a longer pump life without the need for repairs and downtime associated with flow path clogging.

Although centrifugal pumps have higher absolute efficiency, when considered over the entire pump lifecycle and considering that centrifugal pumps at sewage treatment plants are often oversized, it's possible to replace a centrifugal impeller with a free-flowing one without increasing the input power, thereby using electricity more efficiently. This will allow complex liquids to be pumped without breakdowns or downtime, making water supply systems more reliable and efficient, explained Arsenty Klyuev, project manager, research fellow at the GSEM Institute of Economics's Hydromechanical Engineering Laboratory, and leading specialist at the System Engineering Design Bureau.

SPbPU engineers developed a line of free-vortex pumps (SVN 50/20, SVN 100/20, SVN 160/20) and manufactured a prototype SVN 160/20. For various types of pumps, as a result of numerical calculations, they managed to achieve an increase in efficiency 1-3% higher than that of the world’s best analogues that left the market. In their work, polytechnicians used digital design and modeling technologies, as well as a combination of traditional and additive manufacturing technologies for a prototype. Initial experimental studies of the prototype SVN 160/20 have already been carried out at the stand in the Hydraulic Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, on the basis of which the mathematical model of the flow in the flow part of the free-vortex pump is being validated and which confirmed the calculated efficiency value. The capabilities of the research experimental and computational complex of the Laboratory of Hydraulic Mechanical Engineering made it possible to reduce the development period of new pumps to the stage of experimental research of a prototype from 1–1.5 years to 3–4 months. The conditions created with the support of the Priority 2030 program open up opportunities for research and development of methods for designing world-class pumping equipment. In addition, the technologies created by the engineers of the Laboratory of Hydraulic Mechanical Engineering of SPbPU make it possible to develop more energy-efficient and reliable products for various industries, including housing and communal services, the nuclear, oil and chemical industries, agriculture and are especially relevant for manufacturers of pumping equipment that do not have their own research and development center.

According to the Russian Pump Manufacturers Association, 70% of wastewater pumps (which include SVN pumps) will be imported into Russia in 2025, worth 1.5 billion rubles. "Our development has significant potential for import substitution of foreign equipment and strengthening the country's technological sovereignty in pump engineering. It's also worth noting that the project includes high-quality training for young engineers, as the average age of the team member is 24," noted Arseniy Klyuev.

The developers' future plans include conducting comprehensive experimental energy and cavitation studies of the SVN 160/20 prototype, followed by validation of the mathematical models. Following these studies, they will prepare for the launch of a pilot production series of pumps and scale up the product line.

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.

Jointless 3D Printing: Polytechnic University Finds a Way to Join Non-Weldable Metals

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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A research team led by Anatoly Popovich, Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport at SPbPU, has developed a technology for multi-material 3D printing of complex metal parts. This technology allows for the creation of components and parts from up to four alloys in a single production cycle. This significantly reduces costs and time. The size of a single 3D printing unit for a specific material, less than one millimeter, allows for programming on a truly microscale.

The need to create structures from multiple materials arises when a product requires different, sometimes conflicting, properties: increased hardness and simultaneous ductility, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. In medicine, components made from multiple materials are used to create biocompatible components with specific mechanical properties, such as titanium and cobalt-chromium implants.

A new technology developed by Polytechnic researchers enables the production of a component with a pre-programmed set of properties by creating zones of materials with the desired characteristics. This eliminates the need for a sharp transition between layers of different materials. The composition and properties change smoothly from one metal to another, preventing defects at the joints. This makes it possible to combine even materials that are initially unweldable, such as aluminum and steel.

To date, SPbPU specialists have tested over 20 materials and their combinations, including titanium, aluminum, and shape-memory alloys. The developers have already applied the new technology in practice. Engineers have created a prototype of a compact combustion chamber: the interior is made of heat-resistant bronze, the exterior is a nickel-alloy shell, and between them is a thin mesh structure that effectively dissipates heat. The new technology significantly reduces manufacturing time. While a traditional manufacturing cycle takes months (the inner shell is manufactured, milled, and then the outer elements are welded to it), with the new development, the entire process is completed in a single cycle. Taking into account subsequent mechanical surface treatment, the process takes only a few days.

Another component is a gear, which requires internal vibration absorption and external hardness to prevent wear. Improving the mechanical properties is achieved by creating a complex transition from one material to another. This condition can also be programmed and implemented in the finished product.

Thus, the Polytechnic's development allows not only to obtain stronger connections, but also to save money and time during their production.

The development is being carried out with the support of the federal program "Priority-2030".

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.

A new course in nutrition science is starting at the Polytechnic University.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Faculty from the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology, together with the Open Education Center of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, have developed an educational course, "Nutrition: Modern Approaches and Digital Tools." The project is being implemented with the support of the federal program "Priority 2030." This educational program is strategically important for the implementation of national priorities outlined in the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation, the national project "Healthcare," and the "Digital Economy of the Russian Federation" program.

The development of the online course in nutrition was prompted by the launch of the master's program "Nutrition in the Food Industry" at the IBSiB Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production in 2019, which has proven highly popular among students. To date, more than 40 students have successfully completed it. The program is aimed at training nutrition technologists capable of developing products and diets to maintain and improve public health and develop a healthy food industry. The Higher School also regularly received requests for distance learning in advanced training programs in nutrition.

The new online course "Nutrition: Modern Approaches and Digital Tools" is designed as a comprehensive educational program for advanced training: from the fundamentals of digestive physiology, the nutrient composition of food, and diet planning methodology to the scientific principles of shaping the gut microbiome and creating functional foods, including an introduction to the popular modern healthy lifestyle trend of nutritional biohacking. The program is designed for food industry professionals, nutritionists, fitness industry professionals, students and teachers, as well as anyone interested in healthy eating or looking to master a new profession.

Our course's uniqueness lies in its ability to develop students' knowledge not only of current scientific aspects in the field of healthy nutrition but also of practical skills acquired through case studies and calculations using both traditional approaches and modern digital technologies. Commercial nutrition courses often focus on theoretical aspects or "helpful tips" without integrating modern digital tools, or simply offer an introduction to artificial intelligence without mastering the theoretical foundation. Furthermore, a wealth of unsubstantiated or contradictory nutritional information is circulating online, hindering people from making informed choices. We clearly distinguish between proven methods and popular but unsubstantiated trends, fostering critical thinking in our students. This also applies to the verification and comparative analysis of recommendations generated by artificial intelligence," commented Natalia Barsukova, project director and associate professor at the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production at the Institute of Cardiology and Biotechnology (IBBS), highlighting the distinctive features of the course developed by the Polytechnics.

During the course, participants will not only acquire up-to-date knowledge in nutrition science but also learn to apply artificial intelligence tools to solve everyday tasks: from analyzing actual nutrition and nutritional status to calculating the nutritional value of diets and creating personalized nutrition recommendations.

The course consists of 20 topics grouped into four modules. The first three modules contain theoretical materials and practical assignments, including video lectures covering the main topics; longreads and presentations; assignments for independent study; and quizzes. The fourth module includes practical exercises in the form of video lessons; and independent case studies using the Scientific Nutrition Analysis Web Tool (NIAP). A final assessment (test) is included at the end of the course.

The course "Nutrition: Modern Approaches and Digital Tools" was developed in collaboration with Nutrient Planner, the developer of the NIAP web service. Training in the program will begin in 2026.

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.

PolySchool 2025 Finals: Internship at Bauman Moscow State Technical University and Project Defense

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The last month of the year was very eventful for the participants of the PoliShkola project.

Young technology leaders from Polytechnic University visited Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The purpose of the internship was to exchange experiences in organizing scientific and educational activities, study best project management practices, and identify promising areas for joint research and projects.

During the meetings, special attention was paid to BMSTU's comprehensive programs for working with faculty and researchers. Colleagues shared their experiences supporting young professionals, including, for example, methodological support for obtaining candidate and doctoral degrees. The polytechnics were also introduced to and invited to join the unified "Practice Showcase" developed by BMSTU as part of the "Priority 2030" program—a platform designed to share best practices among the country's leading universities.

The visit also included a visit to key laboratory and research centers of MSTU:

The Aurora Mobile Platform laboratory, where development work on the domestic operating system is underway, including the creation of secure applications and specialized software. Colleagues showcased student achievements and discussed monetization and market interactions; the Cybersecurity Monitoring Center (SOC), organized according to a full-cycle principle: from educational programs and scientific research to commercial services and expert support for partners. Internship participants noted the effective model of collaboration with an industrial partner and the involvement of students in real-world projects, starting from their junior years; the Polymer Materials Laboratory, which specializes in the creation of new compounds for additive technologies. SPbPU specialists observed the operation of cutting-edge installations in real time and also received expert advice on developing their own developments in membrane water purification; and the Industrial Internet of Things in Digital Manufacturing laboratory, which includes the Flexible Manufacturing Cell—a simulator for acquiring in-demand practical skills in industrial robotics. Colleagues highlighted the operating features of the devices and the details of collaboration with enterprises.

Following the visit, the partners outlined specific areas for further collaboration, including organizing a return visit by representatives from Bauman Moscow State Technical University to the Polytechnic University, sharing best practices in the development of research and teaching staff, and exploring opportunities for joint research projects in cybersecurity, new materials, and robotics.

Participants praised the tour's informative and dynamic nature. The Polytechnic students were particularly impressed by the university campus, with its interesting architectural designs and well-thought-out navigation, high-tech labs, spacious classrooms, and stylish coworking areas.

The PoliSchool program concluded with the final defense of the teams' projects.

The work was evaluated by Alexey Borovkov, Chief Designer of the Scientific and Technological Program "System Digital Engineering," Lyudmila Pankova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Maria Vrublevskaya, Vice-Rector for Human Resources, Oleg Rozhdestvensky, Head of the Office of Technological Leadership, Marina Bolsunovskaya, a representative of the "Artificial Intelligence for Cross-Industry Problem Solving" program, and Oleg Panchenko, a representative of the "Materials, Technologies, and Production" program.

Following the opening remarks by PoliShkola project mentor Maria Vrublevskaya, the presentation session began. For two hours, ten student teams presented the results of their work.

Participants presented projects covering cutting-edge fields of science and technology: medicine and biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, electronics, and education. Each project had a clearly applied nature and was aimed at solving specific technological or social problems.

The level of sophistication and the promise of the solutions we saw today are directly in line with the spirit of PolySchool—a practical leadership school for young people with initiative. Participants don't just propose ideas; they create working prototypes and consider the logic behind their implementation, noted Maria Vrublevskaya.

Interesting projects reached the PolySchool finals. The students demonstrated their commitment and desire to contribute to achieving the country's technological leadership. Much work remains, especially in terms of creating in-demand products from the solutions and technologies developed. I wish everyone good luck and strength to complete this journey," concluded Oleg Rozhdestvensky.

At the end of the defense, all participants were presented with commemorative gifts.

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.

Polytechnic students' final projects are real projects for the Power Machines company.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Students majoring in management and engineering at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University have teamed up with a qualified client, Power Machines, to create comprehensive final qualifying theses. The work has the special status of "Project as a Final Qualifying Qualifying Thesis" and is being completed by students from the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade and the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport. The creation of new formats for employer participation in the updated model of higher engineering education is being implemented with the support of the federal program "Priority 2030."

The main objective of the "Project as a Final Qualification Work Project" is to improve the operations of an industrial enterprise by optimizing technological and logistical processes. The project is being implemented by a team of students with both engineering and economic and managerial competencies. The team consists of six people from four areas of study: two students from the Higher School of Physics and Materials Engineering at IMMiT (Materials Science and Metallurgy), two students from the Higher School of Industrial Management at IPMEiT (Management), and two students from the Higher School of Service and Trade at IPMEiT (Trade).

Academic supervision on behalf of the Polytechnic University is provided by faculty from the Institute of Mechanics, Economics, and Technology and the Institute of Mechanics and Technology (IMMET). Student consulting on behalf of the qualified client is provided by employees of Power Machines.

Students focus on the comprehensive analysis and optimization of the company's production processes. Their primary focus is on exploring the potential use of current inventory for tooling production, as well as mathematical modeling of blank production processes from various alloys. Concurrently, work is underway to create a material interchangeability matrix and develop methods for more efficient use of slow-moving inventory.

By completing a comprehensive final qualifying work, students from various fields of study will, in addition to solving their core problems, be able to improve communication between engineering and management staff. This will allow them to more quickly adapt to the company upon employment and better understand the tasks and terminology of various departments, says Zoya Simakova, the project's lead investigator and Associate Professor at the Higher School of Industrial Management.

The goal of this comprehensive thesis is to improve the company's operational efficiency by addressing two key objectives. First, a plan will be developed for integrating slowly used inventory into production—either by using it in new projects or by modifying its technological properties. Second, the thesis will determine the economic feasibility and propose specific steps for establishing in-house production of some tooling equipment at Power Machines.

"Adding metallurgical and process analysis to the final qualifying thesis will not only allow for the economic justification of proposed management decisions but also the development of specific engineering solutions for materials processing and tooling production. This will enhance the practical value of the thesis and its applicability to JSC Power Machines," comments Pavel Kovalev, Deputy Director for Educational Activities at IMMiT.

It's worth noting that this project has significant practical and methodological implications: over the course of three years, students completed comprehensive final theses commissioned by Power Machines, with the Graduate School of Industrial Management serving as the responsible executor on behalf of the university. In 2023, students from the Graduate School of Industrial Management, the Graduate School of Engineering and Economics, and the Graduate School of Service and Trade completed final theses as part of the project "Harmonization of Production Needs with the Provision of Components and Materials." by order of the Electrosila plantIn 2024, the "interschool" student project focused on transforming the purchasing activities of an industrial enterprise to reduce slow-moving inventory. for the Leningrad Metal Plant, and last year, students successfully defended a project for LMZ on solving real production and management problems.

The comprehensive final qualifying project, completed by students majoring in management and engineering, is of strategic importance for our city in the context of technological independence, economic sustainability, and social development. The proposed project aims to address challenges related to the development and implementation of new material properties through additional technological processing of slow-moving inventory, the selection and economic justification of alternative materials for tooling, reducing dependence on foreign technologies when analyzing the feasibility of tooling insourcing, optimizing warehouse processes, and developing human resources for solving multidisciplinary problems, says Anna Chernikova, project manager and IPMEIT Deputy Director for Academic and Methodological Work.

An important aspect of the project is the presentation of the final result of the comprehensive final qualifying work at a meeting of the Unified State Examination Committee chaired by the management of Power Machines. The members of the SEC are representatives of the qualified client and faculty from the Institute of Mechanics and Electronics and the Institute of Metallurgy and Metallurgy. The defense will take place in June 2026 at the Leningrad Metal Plant.

For JSC Power Machines, integrating education and production is a strategic priority, and participating in the integrated final qualifying work in the "Project as a Final Qualification Thesis" format allows us to identify talented students before they begin their professional careers and assess their competencies in a real-world production environment. We highly value the Polytechnic University's systematic approach: teamwork among students from various fields of study, support from academic supervisors, and a focus on results that are meaningful to the company. Such initiatives are a significant contribution to technological independence and sustainable industrial development," commented Evgeniya Khmel, Director of General Supplier Development at JSC Power Machines, on the significance of the joint 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.

SPbPU presented the results of the Priority 2030 program implementation

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On November 19, 2025, in Moscow, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, one of the first group of universities to receive grants from the Priority 2030 program, presented the results of its 2025 University Development Program to the Development Program Support Council. Key development areas for the university in the coming years were also outlined.

The SPbPU delegation included:

SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy; Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Head of Department at PJSC Gazprom Oleg Aksyutin; SPbPU Vice-Rector for Research Yuri Fomin; Head of the SPbPU Office of Technological Leadership Oleg Rozhdestvensky; and Director of the SPbPU Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering" Aleksey Borovkov.

SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy commented on the significance of the "Priority 2030" program for universities: "Thanks to the "Priority 2030" program, Russian universities have received another incentive to make long-overdue changes. It sets a unified development vector that is important not only for individual universities but for the Russian higher education system as a whole. As part of the "Priority 2030" program, we have launched an internal transformation at SPbPU. This is necessary to strengthen our contribution to the country's technological leadership and develop the best engineering education in Russia. I would also like to specifically acknowledge our partners, high-tech companies and corporations with whom we work under the "qualified customers" model, and thank them for their support and active participation in joint projects."

During the defense, Oleg Rozhdestvensky, Head of the SPbPU Office of Technological Leadership, explained that in 2024, based on an analysis of the groundwork laid over the past five years, the university has focused on developing three key scientific and technological areas (KST): "System Digital Engineering," "Materials, Technologies, and Production," and "AI for Cross-Industry Problem Solving." Together with enterprises from the real sectors of the economy, 21 projects were selected that fall within these KST areas, corresponding to four of the nine NTPs. Financial results for 2025 confirmed the correctness of the KST choice made in 2024.

During his speech, the speaker also focused on developments for the real sector of the economy, particularly for oil and gas engineering. He presented to the Council a project to create a high-tech production facility for power engineering components for civil and special-purpose applications. He also focused on a project to manufacture hot gas path components for the T32 GPA "Ladoga" gas turbine. A combustion chamber nozzle has already been designed, manufactured, and laboratory tested. In November, development of a comprehensive technology for manufacturing first- and second-stage nozzle blades for the gas turbine's high-pressure turbine using additive manufacturing was completed. A Russian-produced heat-resistant cobalt alloy was used as the base material, providing the characteristics necessary for operation in extreme operating conditions. Development is currently underway to manufacture first- and second-stage rotor blades using an additive manufacturing method with a directional structure from a heat-resistant, non-weldable nickel alloy.

Oleg Aksyutin, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Head of the Gazprom Department, commented on the significance of the presented developments: "The long-standing cooperation between SPbPU and Gazprom is strategic in nature. With the support of the Priority 2030 program, PJSC Gazprom and the Polytechnic University are working closely to address critical issues for the entire Russian energy sector, including optimizing maintenance and repair costs and reducing the lead times for the manufacture and delivery of spare parts and components. Of particular note here is the manufacture of components for the hot gas path of the T32 gas turbine unit of the Ladoga gas pumping unit. Furthermore, SPbPU specialists have made a significant contribution to the development of regulatory documentation by developing a number of documents for the Gazprom Standardization System. Their implementation will enable the company to address a number of pressing issues, primarily reducing the cost and lead times of certification testing by conducting digital tests sufficient to assess compliance with established requirements.

Regarding plans, SPbPU will undergo institutional changes in the coming years that will impact the university's economic model. Specifically, emphasis will be placed on faculties focused on training highly qualified engineers to meet industrial needs, leading engineering schools, and research and technology and production centers designed to support the development and implementation of technologies in industry.

Following the meeting of the Council for Support of University Development Programs, recipients of grant support for 2026 will be selected.

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.

A world first: Polytechnic University is developing a lattice for small modular reactors designed for 3D printing.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Engineers from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University are developing an improved mixing grid for a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR), designed for additive manufacturing. This development is unique worldwide. Using SMRs with optimized mixing grids will make it possible to provide lower-cost electricity to the most remote and inaccessible areas of Russia in the future. This work is being supported by the federal program "Priority 2030."

The economic efficiency of using nuclear power plants with small modular reactors lies in their long operating cycles, meaning that a single fuel load allows them to operate for several years without refueling. This makes them more cost-effective than traditional combined heat and power plants and fuel oil-fired stations, including by reducing the cost of fuel delivery.

Small modular nuclear reactors are based on the most common type of reactor in the nuclear power industry today, the pressurized water reactor (VVER). Their operating principle involves heating pressurized water through contact with honeycomb-structured fuel assemblies. A key component of such an assembly is the mixing grid, which is designed to enhance coolant mixing and reduce uneven thermal flow characteristics. On the other hand, bubbles form on the surface of the fuel elements (which make up the assembly), which can lead to boiling zones and overheating. Therefore, the second objective of upgrading the mixing grid, in addition to enhancing heat transfer, is to eliminate these boiling zones.

The uniqueness of the SPbPU team's development lies in the fact that they are the first in the world to design a new product directly for production using 3D printing. Traditional manufacturing technologies based on the processing of solid metal sheets have exhausted their potential for further efficiency gains. Additive manufacturing, on the other hand, allows for the creation of parts with complex internal geometries, the optimization of which significantly improves the hydrodynamic and heat-removal properties of the grid. Ultimately, the use of modernized mixing grids will reduce the cost of generated electricity by 5%.

The development of small modular nuclear reactors is a long-term project, actively supported by the state through its programs. Achieving technological leadership is impossible if we only address current challenges. Furthermore, Russia is currently implementing the national project "New Nuclear and Energy Technologies," which, among other things, aims to ensure sovereignty in the nuclear sector and develop small modular reactors, notes Nikolai Efimov-Soini, Deputy Director of the Computer Engineering Center at the Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering" at SPbPU.

SPbPU engineers are designing a mixing grid using the CML-Bench® digital platform for developing and applying digital twins. This platform is unparalleled in Russia in terms of the volume of digital and design solutions it offers (over 375,000), including for the nuclear industry. Using advanced digital twin technology not only reduces the cost of product development and production but also significantly reduces the number of required full-scale tests by conducting a large number of digital tests on specialized rigs and testing grounds.

The project is scheduled to last three years. Currently, the scientists are developing a digital design methodology that will determine all necessary parameters (including physical ones), their mutual influence, and the final result, as well as an improved design of the mixing grid itself with improved target function performance.

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.

The first training course in Russia for "qualified customers and contractors" was held at the Polytechnic University.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) has completed a unique continuing education program, "Qualified Customer – Qualified Contractor: Digital Modeling in Industry." The program was developed by experts from SPbPU and the Institute of Problems of Regional Economy (IPRE RAS) with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and the Priority 2030 program. The program was led by Yuri Fomin, SPbPU Vice-Rector for Research.

The program's primary objective is to improve skills in developing technical specifications for digital modeling projects in industry and to train qualified university specialists. Particular attention was paid to the application of artificial intelligence in digital modeling processes.

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Denis Sekirinsky, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stepan Kalmykov, First Vice-Rector of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Vitaly Sergeev, Director of the Institute of Regional Economic Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey Shmatko, and others.

At the President's direction, we are implementing a major program to develop a talent pool for management in science, technology, and higher education. The fourth cohort has already launched. The program proposed by Polytechnic University should be a key operational and substantive element of the extensive personnel work we are undertaking at the President's direction as part of the Decade of Science and Technology, Denis Sekirinsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, told the program participants.

The speaker hoped that the audience would not only gain relevant knowledge and make useful connections, but also hoped that the training would provide impetus for the development of new projects for the benefit of Russian industry. The program is aimed at training key specialists—"qualified customers"—who are able to competently formulate technical specifications for the most complex research and development projects. Without these skills, Russia will not achieve technological leadership.

The very concept of a "qualified customer" was enshrined in the federal law "On Technology Policy in the Russian Federation" in 2024. However, St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has been building its interactions with high-tech companies through the format of qualified partnerships for a long time. Moreover, we not only adapted to the new norm, but also developed and successfully defended our own proven model of such partnerships at a strategic session before the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Therefore, the development of our course is, on the one hand, timely, as it ultimately allows both customers and contractors to operate under the same concepts and speak the same language. On the other hand, it is a significant step in formalizing the very concept of a "qualified customer" and a direct consequence of our previous work, commented Yuri Fomin, Vice-Rector for Research at SPbPU, on the relevance of the course.

A total of 68 applications were submitted for participation in the program, of which 30 were selected—representatives of academia (including representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science's personnel reserve), high-tech and knowledge-intensive businesses (for example, Gazprom Neft, Power Machines, and JSC UEC-Klimov), and the Ministry of Education and Science's personnel reserve.

A qualified client isn't just about science and development. We believe that any technology implementation should be accompanied by qualified training. Formulating a comprehensive request that integrates all aspects is the goal of developing technical specifications for students, added Dmitry Tikhonov, Vice Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education at SPbPU.

Over the course of four days, participants attended lectures on computer modeling of materials and industrial AI. In particular, Alexander Sitov, Chairman of the St. Petersburg Committee for Industrial Policy, Innovation, and Trade, delivered a lecture on the role of the state in forming strategic partnerships between qualified customers and scientific organizations. Alexey Borovkov, Director of the SPbPU Advanced Engineering School and Chief Designer of the key scientific and technological area of "System Digital Engineering," spoke about the role of qualified customers and contractors in implementing advanced digital technologies at enterprises, presenting the experience of the SPbPU Advanced Engineering School.

The course's students also participated in discussions on the role of the state and grant funding mechanisms. They engaged in practical work in teams supervised by leading scientists, including experts from Skoltech and the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia.

Additionally, program participants visited Geoscan's high-tech UAS production facility. As a result, program graduates acquired key competencies in developing technical specifications for complex research and development projects, deepened their knowledge of computer modeling and industrial artificial intelligence, and explored grant funding mechanisms. Through practical teamwork under the guidance of leading scientists and visits to high-tech production facilities, they learned how to build effective industrial and educational partnerships to achieve technological sovereignty in accordance with the requirements of the "qualified partnership" concept.

Participating in the program was a truly meaningful and practical experience for me. It provided a clear understanding of how clients can effectively work with contractors, and how contractors can accurately interpret the client's needs and offer well-founded solutions. The combination of analytical sessions and practical case studies was complemented by teamwork on preparing technical specifications for research and development, which allowed me to go through the entire process—from problem formulation to structuring requirements and coordinating the parties' positions. Understanding the university's role as a platform for experts, project teams, and industrial partners to meet was particularly important. I am grateful to the organizers for the high-quality content and practical focus of the training," said Leyla Gamidullaeva, Head of the Management and Public Administration Department at the Institute of Economics and Management at PSU.

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.