Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On November 26, the 5th Congress of Young Scientists opened at the Sirius University of Science and Technology. Its program covered key areas of Russia's scientific and technological development. This federal-level event brought together international formats, including the BRICS Forum on Social Sciences and Humanities, strategic sessions on major challenges, and practical tracks for supporting scientific personnel.
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University presented a comprehensive research development program and cutting-edge technological developments at the congress. The Polytechnic's exhibition program focused on integrating young researchers into the scientific community, building their careers, and mastering science popularization tools. The program included both applied career workshops and presentations of cutting-edge fundamental research.
The university's showcase centered on a development in additive manufacturing—a system for multi-material laser 3D printing with metals. This technology enables the creation of products with fundamentally new properties by combining various metal alloys in a single production cycle. This method opens up possibilities for synthesizing materials with gradient properties unachievable using traditional methods.
Visitors to the exhibition will see examples of promising applications of the technology using specific case studies:
In medicine, this involves the creation of bimetallic implants, where a high-strength titanium alloy is combined with a more biocompatible one, allowing for the control of mechanical properties and integration with bone tissue; in the aerospace and energy industries, this involves the production of bimetallic combustion chambers with an inner wall made of heat-resistant bronze and an external reinforcing contour made of nickel alloys; in mechanical engineering, this involves the manufacture of lightweight parts with high thermal conductivity due to the combination of aluminum and copper, as well as products with a shape memory effect based on nitinol with a variable composition.
The technology, which allows for the "stitching" of different metal alloys into a single product, generated keen interest among visitors to the stand.
"For me, as someone who studies biocompatible coatings, a bimetallic implant isn't just a component, but a philosophical approach to regenerative medicine," shared Anna Kovaleva, a postgraduate student in the Department of Materials Science at Bauman Moscow State Technical University. "The ability to locally alter mechanical properties, creating a gradient from rigid to more elastic bone tissue, is a step toward personalized implants of the future. I saw here a tangible embodiment of ideas we've only read about in scientific papers."
"The demonstration of a bimetallic combustion chamber is a response to one of the key 'grand challenges' in my field," added Dmitry Samokhin, a young energy scientist from TPU. "The combination of heat resistance and strength in a single component, manufactured in a single cycle, radically changes the design approach. This isn't just an evolution in manufacturing; it's a revolution in engineering, allowing us to look beyond the capabilities of traditional materials."
The equipment presented by Polytechnic University scientists is equipped with two laser sources with a power of up to 1000 W and allows simultaneous work with four different materials in a print zone with a diameter of 150 mm and a height of 220 mm.
Another key exhibit was the Snegir family of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), created by the Digital Engineering experimental design bureau of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU. This project exemplifies the implementation of the end-to-end digital engineering paradigm. The vehicles were designed from scratch in record time—five months—using the university's proprietary CML-Bench® digital platform, allowing them to refine the methodology for creating digital twins.
The latest model, the Snegir-2, was presented at the congress. It is an unmanned aerial vehicle with a 3.5-meter wingspan and a takeoff weight of 25 kg. Its key features include increased stability due to improved aerodynamics and control systems, as well as a modular architecture that allows for quick adaptation for various missions. The UAV is capable of carrying a payload of up to 8 kg, reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h, and covering distances of up to 200 km. This development has formed the basis for the creation of specialized platforms for digital UAV design and certification.
The Snegir family of unmanned aerial vehicles, created using end-to-end digital engineering, has become a clear example of how university science is responding to the demands of the times.
"I was impressed not so much by the Snegir-2 model itself, but by the methodology," said Ilya Petrenko, a graduate student and aerodynamicist from Ural Federal University, a visitor to the Polytechnic University booth. "Creating an aircraft from scratch in five months is a colossal feat. The CML-Bench® platform is essentially a ready-made toolkit for us, researchers. It removes the barrier between fundamental science and applied development, allowing us to quickly verify hypotheses in a virtual environment, saving months of work and resources."
A project aimed at solving socially significant problems is the universal tracked platform "Zhuchok." This development provides freedom of movement for people with disabilities in difficult terrain and off-road conditions.
The platform boasts excellent cross-country capability: it can climb inclines of up to 35 degrees and navigate snow, sand, and mud. With a curb weight of 100 kg and a speed of up to 10 km/h, the "Zhuchok" provides a range of at least 10 km. The design features a low center of gravity, high maneuverability, and low noise. Its key feature is a universal mount that allows the platform to be used with most wheelchair models, making the technology accessible to a wide range of users.
The universal tracked platform "Zhuchok" demonstrated that high technology serves not only industry, but also the solution of pressing social problems.
"At these conferences, people often talk about breakthroughs in IT or energy, but 'Zhuchok' is an example of science with a human face," says Marina Semenova, a biophysics graduate student at MIPT. "The simplicity and versatility of the solution are key factors for its implementation. A low center of gravity and low noise are more than just performance characteristics; they are well-thought-out engineering solutions that directly impact human comfort and safety. Projects like these motivate you to pursue science because you see the direct impact of your work—improving someone's life."
The Polytechnic University's booth served as the epicenter of a lively, informal exchange. The lecture program opened with a series of events aimed at the professional development of young scientists. Applicants to the doctoral program were able to undergo a quick assessment of their admission chances and received a personalized "roadmap" from university experts.
In the interactive session "Career Paths of Postgraduate Students," successful young scientists from the Polytechnic University shared their experiences building a scientific career at the university. A report on the activities of the Student Scientific Society (SSS) was also presented, titled "From the Organization of the SSS to the Grant: Victories and Mistakes." Participants learned about best practices for attracting students to science and organizing the SSS at SPbPU, using the example of a grant received from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
The program continued with motivational speeches and master classes. Nikita Blagoy (IPMET) led the session "Aftershocks of Science: Navigating the Universe of Possibilities," and Kristina Shikhirina (HSE University – St. Petersburg) presented a step-by-step guide to popularizing science for student scientific fellows and young scientists' councils, focusing on effectively bringing science popularization projects to fruition.
The audience was incredibly engaged. We explored case studies on how to package complex research into understandable and viral content. It's important that young Polytechnic University scientists see popularization not as a hobby, but as a professional skill that helps attract funding and partners," noted Natalia Leontieva, Head of the SPbPU Office for Support of Research Projects and Programs.
A keynote address on the program was given by a representative of the Laboratory for Advanced Methods of Spherical Tokamak Plasma Research. Laboratory research assistant Arseny Tokarev delivered a report titled "Thermonuclear Technologies: Developing Key Competencies and Talent in the SPbPU Youth Laboratory." The scientist highlighted the Polytechnic University's contribution to one of the most important areas of global science—controlled thermonuclear fusion research. The speaker also touched on the training of a new generation of researchers for work on major Russian and international facilities, including the ITER project and the tokamak reactor technology.
"Our goal isn't simply to conduct experiments on tokamaks. We're developing a talent pool for the ITER project and future fusion reactors," Arseniy explained. "When I spoke to colleagues from other venues about our work, we discussed not abstract prospects, but the specific engineering problems that need to be solved. The congress demonstrated that a strong, close-knit community of young scientists is emerging in Russia, ready to tackle the most ambitious tasks together."
The booth's work will conclude on the first day of the congress with an interactive quiz hosted by the "Science at Polytechnic" Student Scientific Society. Participants will take three rounds of questions on the history of science, modern laboratories, and student initiatives.
The quiz and lively discussions prove that science is not just strict formulas but also a vibrant, engaging community. The SPbPU booth became a micromodel of the entire congress: a place where not only ideas are born but also professional connections that shape the future of Russian and global science.
The SPbPU program, as part of a large-scale federal event, demonstrates a comprehensive approach to training scientific personnel—from assistance with admission to graduate school and the development of soft skills to engaging young people in solving global scientific and technological problems—supported by demonstrations of high-tech developments.
The first day of the congress demonstrated its interdisciplinary nature and broad thematic scope. Dozens of parallel sessions focused on addressing "grand challenges." Participants discussed the role of artificial intelligence as a scientific tool, the prospects for fusion energy, bioprinting of organs and tissues, and the pharmaceuticals of the future. A separate section was devoted to science diplomacy, including a session on the legacy of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War movement.
Considerable attention was paid to supporting research at all stages. The Russian Science Foundation (RSF) held a series of events, "RSF School," where young scientists learned about the rules for submitting grant applications for fundamental and applied research and were introduced to the Foundation's review system. The practical component was enhanced by sessions dedicated to the commercialization of developments and the transformation of scientific ideas into successful startups, with the support of development institutions such as Gazprombank and Rosselkhozbank.
The 5th Congress of Young Scientists, which opened on November 26, confirmed its status as the main federal platform for dialogue between science, government, and society. But behind the large-scale strategic sessions and international formats are real people—young researchers for whom the congress has become a focal point for ideas and career trajectories.
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