Science & Technology in January - February 2016

Bimonthly Newsletter of the Embassy of India Moscow

January – February 2016 Compiled and Edited by

Dr Abhishek Vaish Counsellor (S&T)

With support from

I. Bilateral / Multilateral Cooperation Galina N Khokhlova Interpreter

II. Science, Technology & Innovation in Russia.

III. Profile of R&D Institutes and Industry in Russia

IV. Forthcoming Workshops and Conferences in Russia Science & Technology Wing Embassy of India 9, Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye V. Academic Programme offers of Russian Universities Moscow - 105064 Russia

Telefax 007-495-9160297 E-mail [email protected] 2 Homepage www.indianembassy.ru

Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

Dear Readers,

Greetings from Science & Technology Wing, Embassy of India, Moscow!

I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and prosperous New Year 2016. I have taken over the charge of Counsellor (S&T), Embassy of India, Moscow in the month of December 2016. S&T Wing has been a strong pillar of the Embassy of India, Moscow. My predecessor Dr. Rama Swami Bansal has made outstanding contribution for strengthening of Indian-Russian scientific cooperation and I hope to take the legacy forward. She is back to the Head Quarters of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in New-Delhi. I wish her all the best for her future endeavors.

The Embassy of India, Moscow happily welcomes the new Ambassador Shri. Pankaj Saran who considers S&T cooperation between India and Russia as high priority.

The year 2015 ended with the successful visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi to Moscow for the Annual Summit, which resulted in the signing of an ambitious cooperation plan in the sphere of Super Computing Education between C-DAC Pune, IISc Bangalore and MV Lomonosov Moscow State University. Among the other bilateral activities during January/February 2016 were the successful completion of the 2nd meeting of organizations supporting research, technology and innovation in the BRICS countries. The first Joint meeting of the Indian-Russian Network of Institutions of Higher Education was organized at IIT Bombay with participation of 13 representatives from eight Russian Universities and ten Indian Higher education institutions.

The present issue of the Newsletter gives glimpses of the latest S&T developments in Russia. The Russian Government announced the creation of a new Agency for Technological Development, which would support projects in the high-tech sector and focus on imported technologies which have no domestic analogues. The Russian Ministry of Education and Science would establish 11 supporting Russian universities, which would receive state subsidies for the further development. plans to produce a wide range of genetic drugs for clinical trials and later for the general market to treat ischemia, locomotory impairments, neurodegenerative diseases and spinal injuries. Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) jointly with Krasnoyarsk Institute of biophysics SB RAS have developed biodegradable hydrophilic biopolymers used to replace damaged human tissues. Tyumen State University have developed the world's first electronic book named "Seeall" for visually impaired people. Samara State Aerospace University (SSAU) have developed an advanced space radiolocator for mapping and agriculture, which would enable the specialists to observe both the visible surface and subsurface objects. MV Lomonosov Moscow State University have come up with a low-cost method to grow organic semiconductor crystals with a record high light sensitivity, which promises a revolution in organic optoelectronics.

Looking forward to take Indian-Russian Relations in Science and Technology to new heights and this is possible by continued support from you and your valued team.

We hope our Newsletter facilitates identification of potential Russian partners by Indian organizations. Your queries on Russian S&T developments and suggestions for improving the impact of the Newsletter are welcome.

Dr. Abhishek Vaish 1 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

I. Bilateral / Multilateral Cooperation Technologies. The implementation of the task is aimed at the accumulation of scientific and 1) MoU between C-DAC, IISc and MSU educational capabilities in higher educational in High Performance Computing signed institutions, having all resources and considerable experience in the SCT A Tripartite MoU in the sphere of High development. Performance Computing Education has been signed during the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Task 2. Provision of educational and th Narendra Modi Visit to Moscow, 24 Dec methodological maintenance of the SCT 2015, between C-DAC, Pune & IISc Bangalore highly qualified specialist training, retraining on the Indian side and Moscow State and skill development system. The task is University on the Russian Side. The aim of aimed at the creation of scientific and this MoU is to create an Education platform methodological basis originating from the new for High Performance computing that can be generation educational standards and the replicated throughout the country as well as Body of Knowledge in the SCT. to develop Certification Methodology and to promote joint research and exchange visits Task 3. Implementation of educational between both the countries. programs for the SCT specialist training, retraining and skill development. The task is MV Lomonosov Moscow State University aimed at the formation of a scientific and (MSU) is considered as one of the leaders in academic capabilities, providing a high quality the area of High Performance Computing. SCT specialist training for all target-oriented Currently, a consortium of universities led by groups of students and for all forms of MSU had developed extremely powerful education. program for HPC at UG level and a few faculty members have also developed a set of Task 4. Development of an in-depth modules even for school level to get the integration of fundamental and applied students acquainted with HPC. MSU had research and education in the SCT, provision already implemented this framework at of the Russian Academy of Sciences, industry National level and achieved good results. and business collaboration. The task involves the formation of effective feedback, The Super Computing Education developed by emphasizing essential educational forms and MSU has components like high performance trends. computing, ekzaflops computing technologies, programming of homogeneous multi-core Task 5. Expansion of the international computing and hierarchical systems with collaboration in Supercomputing Education. accelerators, in the areas of parallel The task involves inviting leading foreign processing of data of supercomputing specialists, establishing partnership relations modeling, supercomputing technologies, and with foreign organizations, training Russian the use of high-performance computing to teachers at Schools of Higher Education, process ‘Big Data’, and cloud computing. participation of foreign professors in developing and implementation of joint The Operating model of this project is: educational programs. Task 1. Creation of the System of Research and Education Centers for Supercomputing 2 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

Task 6. Development and implementation of Relia, Scientist "G" and Head, and Dr Arvind the highly integrated system of information Kumar, Scientist "E" from International coverage to publicize the SCT achievements. Multilateral & Regional Cooperation Division of Department of Science and Technology. The MoU will be useful for National Educational platform on HPC for India, it is The parties successfully developed the expected to enrich the talent pool in the area documents for launching the coordinated call of High Performance Computing and to assist and agreed the schedule of contest India in realization of the Super Computing procedures. The call is planned to be Mission. announced in March 2016 to be launched in ten thematic priority areas indicated in 2) BRICS to Launch Pilot Coordinated Implantation Plan traceable to BRICS STI Call in Research and Innovation MoU namely Material science including nanotechnology; Biotechnology and The 2nd meeting of organizations supporting biomedicine including human health and research, technology and innovation in the neuroscience; Geospatial Technology BRICS countries took place on 19-20 Jan Applications for development; Prevention and 2016, in Beijing, China. Over 30 monitoring of natural disasters - a priority representatives of BRICS ministries, R&D area for India. foundations and agencies supporting research, technology and innovation took part Another upcoming event within the in the event. The main agenda of the meeting framework of BRICS includes the 1st BRICS was the launch of a pilot coordinated call for working group on Geospatial Technology multilateral projects in the area of research meeting in Greater Noida, scheduled on and commercialization of innovation 2nd Mar, 2016. The Russian delegation would technologies. The eligible topics were fixed in consist of the following participants: the Memorandum on the cooperation in the area of research, technology and innovation  Mr Tsadikovsky Eugeny, Head of between the governments of Brazil, Russia, Division, Russian Space Systems; India, China and South Africa of 18 Mar, 2015.  Mr Sergey Pulinets, Chief Researcher, Russian Space Systems; The BRICS Group of Research Funding Parties, namely Department of  Mr Sergey Nehin, Head of Science and Technology (DST, India), Department of geodesy cartography Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative and Spatial Data Infrastructure; Enterprises (FASIE, Russia), Russian Ministry  Mr Andrey Mukhin, Rosreestr; of Education and Science (RMES, Russia), Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR,  Mr Victor Nepoklonov, Vice for Russia), Ministry of Science and Technology Science, Moscow State University of (MOST, China), National Natural Science Geodesy and Cartography; Foundation of China (NSFC, China), National Council for Scientific and Technological  Mr Dimitry Ershov, Deputy Director for Development (CNPq, Brazil), and National Science, Centre for Forest Ecology and Research Foundation (NRF, South Productivity, Russian Academy of Africa) attended the meeting. Indian Science. delegation was represented by Smt. Sadhana 3 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

3) Indian-Russian Network of concluded that it is necessary to implement Universities create Roadmap for joint educational programs, when Scientific and Educational Cooperation. undergraduate or graduate students can have courses at the partner university, but get one Indian-Russian Network of Institutions of diploma of the parent institution. Higher Education (RIN) was created in 2016 and includes 21 Russian and 9 Indian The participants further discussed the issues universities. RIN aims at uniting the efforts of of scientific and educational cooperation, and the leading institutions of higher education in the coordination of proposals on the RIN's India and Russia to promote cooperation in activities. Participants reached a consensus the fields of science, education and with regard to the main vector of scientific technology. Indian coordinator is Indian cooperation development. Any potential joint Institute of Technology, Bombay, the Russian project begins with the personal interaction of coordinator is the Tomsk State University. scientists. They create the foundation for further promotion of cooperation and its On 11-12 Feb 2016 the first meeting of RIN transformation in joint research activities, or was held at IIT Bombay. The participants in joint doctoral programs. In view of the discussed the issues and prospects of current difficulties in the creation of programs cooperation in the field of science, technology of double diplomas and degrees, the parties and education, to develop mechanisms of proposed to start cooperation through joint joint projects and programs implementation, supervision of PhD students. Many and identification of an action plan for 2016- participants of the meeting already have 2017. successful experience in this sphere mainly with European countries.

During the discussion of mechanisms of interaction of RIN members it was decided to create a data repository, which would include a database of summer and winter schools, scientific laboratories, equipment for joint R&D work, scientific themes for collaboration, accessibility of educational courses and scholarship programs, and postdoc job vacancies. The Resource Center "Russia- India" was entrusted to performing these Indo- Russian partipants at IIT-Bombay tasks. Joint workshops (online and offline) were defined as the other effective The participants from both sides presented mechanism of scientific cooperation that their educational programs, scientific potential contributes to the gradual formation of the and capacities of high-tech products joint research teams to address vital scientific development. Participants also got acquainted issues. with intricacies of scientific and educational process in both countries. For instance, major Discussions on cooperation of universities in obstacles in creation of double degree technological field focused on establishing programs due to the difference in the cooperation of RIN's members with industry. legislation of India and Russia in this area Indian and Russian participants noted the lack were identified. As a result, the participants of contracts and projects with industry. As a 4 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016 possible solution to this problem it was  Kazan Federal University/Institute of proposed to hold workshops on important Geology and Petroleum Technologies; technologies for business and industry on the  Magnitogorsk State Technical basis of business/industry associations such University; as FICCI (Federation of Commerce and  Tomsk State University; Industry of India), CII (Confederation of  Novosibirsk State University; Indian Industry), Business Council for  Russian Union of the Scientific and Cooperation with India. These workshops Engineering Organizations; could help industry to get information about  Moscow Automobile and Road the possibilities of the academic sector for the Construction University; development of new high-tech products. For  Peter the Great St. Petersburg RIN's members these workshops provide the Polytechnic University; actual picture of technologies in demand. As a  . result, universities and institutes could adjust their R&D, focusing it on the existing demand. 4) Indian-Russian Team explores The participants concluded the meeting by Antarctica meteorites expressing their readiness to actively collaborate and develop scientific and Scientists from India and Russia will be part of the next meteorite expedition to Antarctica. educational cooperation further on. The research is supported by Ural Federal Participants of RIN Meeting: University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Indian scientists would reportedly India: provide snowmobiles to get around the ice cap. Experts from are also expected  Indian Institute of Technology to join the next Antarctic expedition for joint Bombay; research. A possibility of cooperating with  Indian Institute of Technology other countries is being discussed. Kharagpur;  Indian Institute of Technology The first Russian Antarctic meteorite Madras; expedition was held between December 2015  Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur; and January 2016. The expedition’s budget  Indian Institute of Technology was estimated at between 8 and 12 million Hyderabad; Rubles, most of which was provided by the  Indian Institute of Technology Patna; Ural Federal University for research and  Indian Institute of Technology development. Work on finding meteorites was held in the Queen Maud Land area, located Gandhinagar; 100 km from the Russian Novolazarevskaya  Indian Institute of Technology Indore; station. Scientists were able to collect more  Indian Institute of Technology than 300 rock samples for further Gawhati; investigations, two of which have already  Indian Institute of Technology been classified as meteorites. Further study Roorkee. would allow scientists to gain new information about the origins of the universe and the future of the planet. Russia:  Moscow State University; 5) Russian Science Day celebrated in New-Delhi 5 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

On Feb 8th, 2016 Delhi's Russian Centre of landmark achievements in science, and space Science and Culture (RCSC) marked the Day science. Citing his own experience of covering of Russian Science. Eminent scientists and the Solar Eclipse in Siberia, he commended supporters of Indian-Russian science the scientific quest, spirit and consistent hard cooperation participated in the event. work and dedication of Russian scientists. Students from Delhi University and Indian Institute of Technology along with 6) Indo-Russian Joint Research Call representatives of international Federation of for Proposals 2016 launched Indian-Russian Youth clubs also joined the programme. Call Open: 5th Feb, 2016 Deadline Date: 5th May, 2016 Full Details: http://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/rfbr- interdisciplinary-call-05-feb-2016.pdf

Department of Science & Technology (DST), GoI and Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) invite Indian and Russian scientists / researchers to submit proposals for Joint Research Project in the following areas of basic sciences under DST-RFBR cooperation:

Day of Russian Science celebrated in Delhi.

Alexander Zhmyrev, Head of Science and o Fundamentals of Nuclear Technology, RCSC paid tribute to the signal Sciences; contributions made by outstanding Russian o Development of methods for scientists in different faculties, who became structural diagnostics for Nobel Laureates. Vivek Singh, OSD, interdisciplinary research on the Department of Space, GoI outlined vital source of synchrotron radiation Soviet and Russian help and support to and neutrons; India’s space programmes, focusing on Soviet o Basics and interdisciplinary cooperation in India’s remote-sensing rocket problems of neutrino physics; launches, launching of Aryabhata, Bhaskara-I, o Nonlinear optics: methods of and Bhaskara-II satellites, students satellites, Indo-Soviet joint space travel, the Brahmos research with ultra-high spatial project and a series of joint space and temporal resolution; programmes on a wider perspective aimed at o The fundamentals of nano- the country’s scientific developments. Dr TV micro-meso-macromechanics Venkateswaran, Scientist “F”, Department of deformation and fracture; Science and Technology emphasised that as o Energy storage; close friends and strategic partners India and o High performance computing Russia should have a clear perception of and big data; making a philosophic approach to science in o Energy materials. its exploration and application in everyday life. CB Devgun, President, Science 6) Exchange Visits Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) underscored the 6 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

Indian Scientists to Russia: peculiar frequency range referred to as “optical frequency comb” which means the  Dr Balchandra Yadav, Department of chip does what only large and complex laser Applied Physics, Babasaheb Bhimrao units have been able to achieve so far. Ambedkar University, visited Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics (IPCP Femtosecond optical frequency combs were RAS), Chernogolovka, during Feb 26 - first discovered in the late 1990s and have since then been found useful in an array of Mar 04, 2016, under the DST-RFBR applications, including telecommunications, project. laser spectroscopy, astrophysics, and other Russian Scientists going to India: areas. To create the new comb, physicists at the Moscow Lomonosov State University and  Prof Kholmirzo Kholmurodov, Leading the Russian Quantum Center suggested that Scientist, Joint Institute of Nuclear the so-called “solitons” be used. The latter Research, visited NIT, Patna, during 1 are compactly packed waves which could be likened to electromagnetic tsunamis and act - 19th Feb, 2016 for joint collaborative very much like particles. In the most recent research work. effort, the duration of pulses was reduced  Prof Oleg Teryaev, Head of Research from a typical 100-200 fs to just 30 fs, which Group, Laboratory of Theoretical does not only make it possible to use smaller, Physics, Joint Institute of Nuclear cheaper and less complicated comb Research would be visiting to IIT generators but also enables the use of combs Bombay for a period of one month in modes “unattainable with other methods.” starting from 14th March, 2016 as a visiting Professor to the Department of 2. Kazan to produce Genetic Drugs for Physics, IIT Bombay. Clinical and Preclinical Trials  Prof Nikolay Tyurin, Joint Institute of Nuclear Research Institute of Kazan Federal University plans to produce a Mathematical Sciences, Chennai wide range of genetic drugs for clinical and visited during 10th Feb - 03rd March for preclinical trials. These products will become Research and academic collaboration the first GMP-certified line of such type in the  A 13-member delegation from Russian country. The necessary equipment is up and Universities - members of RIN running, and the first laboratory samples have Network visited during 11-12th of Feb, been produced for preclinical trials. According 2016 for First meeting of Network of to developers, they would be able to have Indian-Russian Institutions of Higher their genetic medications manufactured for preclinical and clinical trials and in the future Education. – for the general market. Their products can II. Science, Technology & Innovation in be used to treat peripheral nerves, ischemia, Russia. locomotory impairments (like osteanagenesis), neurodegenerative diseases 1. A Chip replacing Complex Laser Units (Alzheimer’s, lateral sclerosis), cirrhosis, created spinal injuries. They also plan to tackle strokes and infarctions. A Russian-Swiss group of scientists has developed a chip based on the "optical There are now only four genetic drugs frequency comb" technology, a solution that certified in the world. Two of them (of may replace complex laser units. This chip Chinese origin) were designed to battle generates femtosecond pulses of light with a oncological diseases, the third one (by the 7 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

Human Stem Cell Institute) – against leg treating PHB with reactive radio-frequency ischemia, and the fourth one (from Europe) – plasma in the atmosphere of either pure to treat a rare lipoprotein deficiency. Kazan oxygen or ammonia. The advantage of University started working on genetic plasma treatment is its ability to modify only a medications back in 2007. After that another thin near surface layer of the material while boost was given by the cooperation between keeping its overall structure unchanged. As a KFU and Human Stem Cell Institute – the result, the interaction between upgraded sides are now planning to establish a joint biopolymer films and connective tissue venture. became highly strong while other already existing medical properties remained the According to Prof Albert Rizvanov, the same. medication mechanism works in a way that scientists can treat cells outside of the body Until now tests have been carried out only on and then return them into the organism, and films, but the ambitious team plan to work they can administer the medication internally with other biodegradable polymers and as well. This is basically the same process. further switch to implants. In the near future The medication contains a fragment of they aim at starting clinical trials for further genetic material that is essentially a implementation of the development into programming language for cells. So by applied medicine. providing this information they can make cells produce the necessary substance. 4. Novel Approach to Wireless Energy Transmission developed 3. Next-Gen Biocompatible Materials for Medicine created Researchers working on metamaterials at the University of IT, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO) Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University jointly with colleagues at "Girikond", a local (TPU), Krasnoyarsk Institute of biophysics SB research institute, have shown that using RAS and several German scientific centers ceramic dielectric diodes can lead to have come up with a method to improve developing efficient wireless energy biodegradable biopolymers used to replace transmission systems. In a lab experiment, damaged human tissues by making them the developers have reportedly been able to hydrophilic. This modification enables much light up a LED bulb at a 20-30cm distance stronger coupling of polymer material with without any wires. cells of connective tissue (fibroblastama) and enhances cell growth. According to Dr Polina Kapitanova, ITMO research fellow, it is but pioneering work, but For several years Krasnoyarsk biophysics the system does already work for a 20cm successfully worked with biodegradable distance and 1W capacity. Her colleagues at polymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). This "Girikond" have come up with new samples of biopolymer is emitted from bacterial biomass, ceramics with an augmented dielectric cleared and used in medicine to make permittivity and reduced losses, which is coverings for wounds and designs for expected to help increase distances for restoration of cartilages and joints. It is energy transmission and also shift to important that the artificial design should megahertz range operating frequencies that interact with the living human cells. However, are not harmful to man. In 2007, initially its surface is generally hydrophobic Massachusetts Institute of Technology and therefore does not interact well with conducted a similar experiment and lit up a connective tissues. To improve its 60W bulb at a 2.5m distance by using two biocompatibility the scientists suggested copper coils interacting with each other in 8 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016 resonance, but at ITMO, the scientists technology different from existing world replaced the coils with dielectric ceramic analogues, is that the facility destroys 99% of resonators which are said to enable the harmful microorganisms without the use of excitation of magnetic fields with reduced hazardous chemicals. After that high- losses of energy. performance filtration of inactivated biomass and aerosol particles starts. This helps to 5. First Braille E-Book for Visually eliminate the accumulation of viable Impaired developed microorganisms on the filter parts and ensures high microbiological purity and safety Tyumen State University have developed the of the treated air. world's first electronic book named "Seeall" for visually impaired people. The idea behind 7. SSAU creates Space Radiolocator for the invention was to ease the complex Mapping and Agriculture process of education. Thee-book includes separate modules for students and teachers, Samara State Aerospace University (SSAU) i.e. during the training they could transmit have developed an advanced space messages to each other. The device can radiolocator, which would enable specialists receive files of any format, including audio to observe from space not only the visible and video. The user inserts a flash carrier into surface, but the subsurface objects, even the textbook, after which the program when they are disguised by vegetation. The converts the information. Then, the device has been designed at Volga State information is displayed on the operating University of Telecommunications and panel in the form of Braille script, which the Informatics. It has been already installed on user can read by touch. Using a special pencil the spacecraft "Aist-2D", planned for launch lead, the user can also set up font sizes on a from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. separate panel to train his writing skills. The monitoring would take place using According to Aydar Fakhrutdinov, team passive location of the Earth in a new P-band researcher, the next step in the development with a spatial resolution of up to 5m. The of this technology would be connection of the device would be able to create radar images e-textbook to the Internet. With the help of of the surface within a radius of 20 km this next-gen device, visually impaired people around the terrestrial stationary reception would be able to gain access to any materials. point several times a day. The radiolocator is at present dependent on terrestrial reception 6. Space Technologies for Air points. But with the help of it scientists plan Disinfection to be installed in Schools to improve new technologies of remote sensing of the Earth in order to create space Russian facility for disinfection of air "Potok" radar with even better resolution and ("Flow"), which was first used in space, would independent of the ground equipment. Now be installed in schools, hospitals and other the radiolocator enables the specialists to public facilities. Earlier the facility was tested observe agricultural facilities for precision on board of "Mir" and ISS orbital stations. farming, to follow changes in the terrain, to According to specialists, "Potok" helped create topographic maps and monitor during emergency situations related to excess changes in the terrain with precision up to concentration of microorganisms in the air several centimeters. The specialists would and presence of toxic emissions from "fire" also carry out tomography of the Earth's aerosol. ionosphere. "Flow" operates on the basis of a new technology of bioactivation. What makes this 9 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

According developers, the depth of representatives of the scientific and technical penetration of the locator through the surface intelligence. The founders of the competition of the Earth is much greater than of existing are the Russian Union of Scientific and orbit analogs, and depends on the moisture Engineering Organizations, the International level and the type of soil structure - from Union of Scientific and Engineering several dozens of centimeters in ordinary soil Associations, the Academy of Engineering to dozens of meters in the desert. Such Sciences named after AM Prokhorov and the equipment is reportedly. Monostatic P-range Interregional Public Fund for Scientific and radar with a resolution of 30m "BIOSAR" is Technological Progress. The jury and expert scheduled for launch by ESA in 2020. committees are composed of leading scientists, engineers and specialists from 8. New Agency for High-Tech various sectors of the national economy. Development to be established XVI All-Russian Contest "Engineer of the The Russian Government announced the Year" and Youth Award in the field of science creation of a new Agency for Technological and technology "Hope of Russia" in 2015 was Development by 01 Jul, 2016. The Agency also dedicated to the 150th anniversary since would support projects in the high-tech sector the establishment of the Russian Technical and focus on imported technologies which Society. According to the organizers, this time reportedly have no domestic analogues. The the competition was attended by about 100 agency’s main goal would be to identify young scientists and engineers. As a result, opportunities for applying advanced three winners were identified: technologies to support domestic producers and facilitate Russia’s non-commodity a) The team from St Petersburg Center of exports. It would support creation of joint Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Technology: ventures and encourage Russian companies Vladimir Bukata, Nikolay Nosyrev and Artem to produce locally foreign high-tech products Zhmurenkov. They are awarded for research, that are currently only made abroad. Priority development, manufacturing and sectors are reported to include mechanical implementation into the industry of high- engineering, machine-tool manufacturing, performance laser technologies and construction, pharmaceuticals, and equipment for shipbuilding and mechanical biotechnologies. engineering.

The Agency’s board of directors would b) Scientist Alexey Arkhipov from Research reportedly include representatives from Institute of the Gubkin Russian State Russia’s development institutions, including University of Oil and Gas for development and government-owned Rosnano, Skolkovo, RVC, implementation of information and and the Industry Development Fund. The measurement system of control of the agency is also expected to work with the distance between boreholes in cluster drilling; state-owned Industry Development Fund to provide low-interest loans to support high- c) The team from Technology Center of the tech projects. Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology (MIET): Natalia Komarova, Maria Andrianova and Alexander Kuznetsov. They developed a platform of bioelectronic detectors for rapid 9. Young Scientists awarded in Moscow analysis of nitrobenzene compounds.

The All-Russian competition "Engineer of the Year" is aimed at identifying the best 10 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

10. MSU grow Best Crystals for Organic The new method opens possibilities for the Electronics applicability of such crystals in light-emitted transistors, and therefore in organic The Faculty of Physics of Moscow State optoelectronics. The scientific group also University in cooperation with Russian and speculates about creating lasers controlled by foreign colleagues have come up with a way electric current obtained on the same basis. to grow organic semiconductor crystals with a The combination of good conductivity and record high light sensitivity, which promises a high efficiency allows them to hope that the revolution in organic optoelectronics. first electrically pumped laser would be Moreover, they made a double breakthrough created on the basis of such crystals. using much simpler and cheaper technologies 11. Novel Large-sized Pipe that previously were considered impractical. Manufacturing Technology developed The team selected so called thiophene- phenylene oligomers (TPCOs) as work-horse The developer of Skolkovo’s nuclear tech molecules. TPCOs are among the most cluster "Optogard Nanotech" has come up promising materials for organic light emitting with a new laser-plasma technology to devices. The desired molecules were strengthen metals, a method believed to be synthesized for them by chemists from highly useful in pipe production. The Moscow State University and Enikolopov technology is reportedly best applicable to Institute of Synthetic Polymeric Materials of manufacturing large-sized pipes, up to 12m, RAS. At the faculty of physics, crystals were without using vacuum, enabling workers to grown from solution of these molecules. Their strengthen the surfaces of large-diameter luminescent and electrical properties were pipes both on the inside and on the outside. measured there, as well. As a result, solution- grown crystals are stronger luminescent than "Optogard Nanotech" focuses on the vapor-grown crystals in contrast to a common development, commercialization and fine- believe that the vapor-processed organic tuning of cutting-edge laser-plasma electronic materials show the highest technologies for industry which are expected performance. Their quantum yield (i.e. the to boost wearproof, shockproof and chemical ratio of the number of photons emitted to the and corrosion resistant properties of both new number of absorbed ones) reached 60%, and repaired mechanical engineering whereas vapor-grown crystals presented no parts."ChelPipe", leader in this national sector more than 38%. and a regional pipe maker in the Urals, may become the first buyer of the new domestic In one of the recent studies, the group also technology. determined that crystals can be grown on the surface of the solution instead of a solid 12. New Sensor and IC Building substrate due to the surface tension forces. Technique developed Because the liquid surface is almost perfect, the crystals grown on it are of good quality, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and owing to their high electronic (MIPT) jointly with Semenov Institute of performance, they are preferable to the Chemical Physics, Department of Chemistry vapor-grown ones. Moreover, the surface of MSU and Institute of Problems of Chemical the solution-grown crystals is molecularly Physics RAS have come up with a new smooth with angstrom-scale roughness, method enabling fast and inexpensive design which allows the scientists to create field- of very small sensors and ICs by using a effect transistors of high quality. mechanism of laser application of structures to glass with a resolution of less than 100 nm. 11 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

 Region 2: Leningrad Oblast (University The scientists used a femtosecond laser to of IT, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO)) apply structures to the surface of a  Region 3: The Republic of Tatarstan transparent material, in this case glass. A (Kazan Federal University) beam of light was used to create a sort of  Region 4: Ural Federal District (Tyumen trap in liquid where glass microspheres were State University) placed. The device can be moved around to  Region 5: Volga Federal District (Samara focus the laser on certain parts of the glass. State Aerospace University) When impacted by a laser beam and heated,  Region 6: Siberian Federal District pits are produced in the laser-affected zones (Tomsk Polytechnic University; which are then subject to etching. To demonstrate their technology the researchers Krasnoyarsk Institute of Biophysics SB wrote the abbreviation of the Institute of RAS) Chemical Physics (ICP), a project participant, 2. Supporting Universities to be formed on the glass surface. According to Mr in Russia Alexander Shakhov, team researcher, the new method could be used in developing super- The Expert Council of the Russian Ministry of precise circuits operating with liquid. Education and Science would establish 11 supporting Russian universities, which would receive state subsidies for the further III. Profile of R&D Institutes and development: Industry in Russia 1. Region-wise Russian Scientific &  Volgograd State Technical University; Educational Institutions from Section  Voronezh State Technical University; Vyatka State University; II   Don State Technical University;  Kostroma State Technological University;  Omsk State Technical University;  State University named after IS Turgenev;  Samara State Technical University;  Siberian State Aerospace University named after Academician MF Reshetnev;  Tyumen State Oil and Gas University;  Region 1: Moscow Region (Moscow  Ufa State Oil Technical University. Institute of Physics and Technology; Each university would strengthen its capacity Russian Quantum Center; MV by adding another institution of the same Lomonosov Moscow State University; region to it or by merging with it. Supporting Enikolopov Institute of Synthetic universities would become the basis for Polymeric Materials of RAS; "Optogard creation of strong regional universities Nanotech" company; "Potok Inter" through combining scientific centres, company; Semenov Institute of personnel and financial resources. This Chemical Physics; Department of change is expected to make it easier to create Chemistry MSU; Institute of Problems of new scientific laboratories and attract strong Chemical Physics RAS) Russian and foreign students and to ensure 12 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016 cooperation with major industry enterprises in  Biological active compounds; the region and abroad. The programme  Physical methods of investigations. involves the allocation of additional subsidies to 200 million rubles annually for each Subjects of scientific researches of institute supporting university for the period of three cover topics such as Synthesis and structure, years. The funds released as a result of reactivity and properties investigation of merging would be spent on further organometallic and coordination compounds development of university programmes. as well as organophosphorus, organofluorine Supporting universities will be focused on and organoboron compounds; asymmetrical tasks posed by regional economies and training qualified personnel for labor markets. synthesis and catalysis in organoelement compounds chemistry; fullerenes – a base for the synthesis of new compounds and novel 3. AN Nesmeyanov Institute of type materials; synthesis of biological active Organoelement Compounds of compounds of organic and ornganoelement Russian Academy of Sciences (INEOS compounds and biological active high RAS) molecular compounds; organoelement and metal containing polymers: synthesis, Director : Acad Aziz Mansurovich Muzafarov structure and properties investigations, Address : 119991, Moscow, Vavilova st 28 application; functional and intellectual GSP-1 polymers and multi-component polymeric Contacts : Tel: +7(499)135-93-84, Fax: systems; catalytical and ecological safety +7(499)135-50-85; Email: processes of low molecular compounds and [email protected]; [email protected] polymers formation; development and ; Website: application of experimental and theoretical http://www.ineos.ac.ru/en.html methods for investigation and analysis (X-ray analysis, optical spectroscopy, NMR, AN Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement chromatography, mass-spectrometry, Compounds of Russian Academy of Sciences quantum chemistry, microanalysis, electron (INEOS RAS) is a worldwide-recognized spin resonance, nuclear quadrupole research institution with profound expertise in resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, organoelement and macromolecular paleography); theory and mathematical compounds chemistry. The present director of modeling of polymeric systems; metal- the Institute is Academician AM Muzafarov, a complex catalysis: activation of small leading specialist in polymer chemistry. molecules and inert molecules, new catalysts INEOS RAS has over 38 laboratories and 18 for polymerization and other processes. research groups. INEOS RAS focuses on Alkanes as nontraditional raw material for the fundamental and applied research with synthesis of organic compounds; concentration on prospective materials development of new approaches to a (including polymers, nanostructured nanoparticles formation in liquid and materials, organoelement compounds Si, F, P, condensed medias; polymeric supramolecular materials for medical applications). The basic structures and nano-composites. directions of activity include: INEOS RAS has signed numerous contracts  Chemistry of organoelement with many research institutions of Russian compounds; Academy of Sciences, universities, industrial  Chemistry and physics of high centers and multinational companies in Russia molecular weight compounds; and abroad. It also supports research linkages 13 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016 with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Rector: Mr Victor Koksharov Indian Institute of Science. The institute is Address: 620002, Yekaterinburg, ul Mira 19 very keen to extend its cooperation with Contacts: Ms Anna Boikova, Project management India. specialist, Tel :+7(912)246-04-08; E-mail: [email protected] ; Website: 4. Samara State Aerospace University http://urfu.ru/en/; (SSAU) The Ural University is the core of a research Rector : Prof Evgeniy Shakhmatov cluster that also includes scientific institutes Address: 443123, Russia, Samara, of the Ural Branch of RAS, specialised Moskovskoye shosse 34 laboratories and hi-tech industry companies. Contacts: Tel: +7(846)335-18-01; UrFU is among world leaders in 40 research E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; competencies, mainly connected with [email protected]; mathematics, physics and chemistry. UrFU’s Website: http://www.ssau.ru/english/ powerful research infrastructure includes dozens of research centres, innovation Samara State Aerospace University (SSAU) is infrastructure, several museums and a research–and-educational center of the specialized collections. aerospace cluster of the Samara region. SSAU 29 research laboratories including 12 has at its disposal powerful resources for laboratories headed by the leading foreign educational, research and outside training researchers have already been established at activities. In 2009 the University was granted UrFU. The areas of research considered a the prestigious status of “national research priority include: university". In 2015 it became participant of Russian-Indian Network of institutions of  Information Technologies and Human higher education. Major research areas of Being in the Information Society; SSAU include:  Power Engineering, Resource Saving, and  Space Engineering; Environmental Management;  Aeronautics;  Flexible Technologies and New Materials;  Aerospace Engine Construction;  Living Systems and Health.  Dynamics and Vibroacoustics of Machines;  Perspective Material and The Ural Federal University (UrFU) is one of Technologies; the top ranked scientific centres in Russia that  Laser and Biomedical Systems; strives to develop a broad scope of research  Radioelectronics, Micro- and subjects in natural, technical and social Nanoelectronics; sciences, the humanities and economics.  Information Technologies, Computer Optics and Image Processing; 6. National Research Tomsk Polytechnic  Space Geoinformatics and Information University Security; Director : Prof Petr S Chubik  Physics, Chemistry and Gas Address : 634050, Tomsk, Lenin Avenue 30 Dynamics. Contacts : Tel: +7 (38-22) 56-34-70; Fax: +7 (38-

22) 56-38-65; E-mail: [email protected]; 5. Ural Federal University named after Website : http://tpu.ru/en/about/ BN Yeltsin 14 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) is the Contacts : Email: oldest engineering higher school in the Asian [email protected]; part of Russia. The University’s world-wide [email protected]; Website: http://georaman2016.igm.nsc.ru; acknowledged scientific schools have a significant impact on the development of The Conference scope covers all scientific science, with the four of them having aspects on the border where Raman obtained the state support under the Russian spectroscopy and geology meet. The President's grants. Conference list of topics includes: mineralogy; archaeometry; petrology; forensics; Five Priority Development Fields of the inclusions; astrobiology; fossils; University include: instrumentation; gemstones; planetology; etc.  Rational Management and Advanced Processing of Natural Resources; 2. The 3rd International Conference on  Conventional and Nuclear Power Digital Information Processing, Data Engineering, Alternative Technologies of Mining, and Wireless Communications Energy Generation; 2016 (DIPDMWC2016)  Nanotechnologies and Plasma-Beam Dates : 6-8th Jul, 2016 Technologies of Materials Generation with Place : Moscow, Russia Defined Properties; Coordinator: Lindielyn, Conference  Intelligent Information- Coordinator Telecommunication Monitoring and Contacts : Email: [email protected]; Control Systems; Website:  Non-destructive Testing and Diagnostics http://sdiwc.net/conferences/dipdmwc2016/; in Manufacturing and Social Sectors. The conference welcomes papers on the following (but not limited to) research areas: The scientific achievements of the University digital information processing; data mining; are recognized by numerous awards received wireless communications. by its employees with the most outstanding of them being the discovery “Crystals structure 3. 21st International Conference on arrangement with small ionizing radiation Photochemical Conversion and Storage doses" that made eight University employees of Solar Energy (IPS-21) become the laureates of the RF Government Reward in S&T; the grand prix «TFFIE» and Dates : 24-29 Jul, 2016 “Golden Palm” prize awarded under EEC Place : St Petersburg, Russia (St International Program “Partnership for the Petersburg State University) progress” () for the development of Coordinator: Ms Valeria Limonova, Conference manager international cooperation. Contacts : Phone: +7(812) 645-35-90; E- mail: [email protected], IV. Forthcoming Workshops and Website: http://www.ips21-spb.com/ Conferences in Russia IPS-21 will provide a versatile platform for 1. XII International Conference formal and informal discussions with GeoRaman-2016 colleagues both from academia and industry. Dates : 9-15 Jun, 2016 The conference would cover: Solar to Place : Novosibirsk, Russia Electricity Conversion Coordinator: Dr Andrey Korsakov, Co-chair (Photovoltaics/DSSCs/Perovskite SCs/Organic

15 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016 polymer SCs); Solar to Chemical Energy Universe; supermassive black holes; Conversion (Solar fuel/Water splitting/CO2 active galactic nuclei; supernovae; reduction); Artificial Photosynthesis; supernovae remnants; gamma-ray bursts; Photocatalysis; New Photoactive Materials; interstellar medium, stars; planets; the Mechanistic Studies, Engineering, Modelling. SETI problem.

4. POLYCONDENSATION 2016 Dates: 11-15 Sep, 2016 6. 17th International Conference Place: Moscow and St Petersburg, Russia "Laser Optics 2016" Coordinator: Prof Alexander Shaplov, Conference Coordinator Contacts : Tel:+7(499)135-92-44; Dates : 27 Jun - 01 Jul, 2016 +7(499)135-92-77; Place : St Petersburg, Russia Email: [email protected]; Coordinator: Mr Antov V Kovalev, Website: http://www.polycondensation2016.ac.ru/ Conference Secretary Contacts : Tel: +7 (812)323-63-48; "Polycondensation 2016" would be held in Website: http://www.laseroptics.ru/; Moscow (AN Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds RAS) during 11- Email:[email protected] . 13 Sep and at the Scientists Palace in St Petersburg during 14-15 Sep. The conference The Conference topics would cover: solid- would cover a wide range of topics, state lasers, high power lasers; showcasing the most exciting fields of semiconductor lasers; materials and condensation polymer science and applications; laser beam control; nonlinear technology: new methods for the synthesis of photonics; optical nanomaterials; free condensation commercial and research electron lasers; ultrafast processes; super- polymers; polymers for biomedicine, intense light fields; lasers for satellite ranging pharmaceutics, engineering plastics and systems; space geodesy; global navigation. fibers, energy, optics, photonics and electronics. 1. “The Future of Agriculture: Grand Challenges and Technological 5. "All-Wave Astronomy. Shklovsky- Change” International Conference 100" International Conference Dates: 03 Mar, 2016 Dates : 20-22 Jun, 2016 Place: Moscow, Russia (NRU Higher Place : Moscow, Russia School of Economics (HSE)) Coordinator: Dr Alexey Abramov, Conference Coordinator: Ms Elena Nasybulina, Coordinator Conference Coordinator Contacts: Contacts: Tel:+7(495)6219604,+7(495)772- Email: [email protected]; 95-90,ext.115-40; Email: [email protected]; Website: Website: http://shklovsky100.asc.rssi.ru/index.php/en/ . https://www.hse.ru/news/174872024.html

The conference will be held at Astro The workshop aims to discuss and identify Space Center of Lebedev Physical Institute pertinent research topics of mutual interest and include the results of modern for science, technology and innovation research in wave astronomy-related cooperation between the EU member states, issues. Topics would cover: cosmic Horizon 2020 associated countries and microwave background; the early 16 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016 countries of the Black Sea region in the  Proved background and strong following thematic areas: knowledge of statistics and - Towards sustainable agriculture based programming. on new technologies and new institutional designs; The application procedure and deadlines - Genetic engineering: future prospects; - Food security: new challenges for Till May, 25, 2016 the applicant needs to agricultural countries. send the following copies of documents via e- Representatives of Russian government mail to Mr Pavlovskiy Evgeniy Nikolaevich, authorities, foreign embassies to the Russian Programme Supervisor (e-mail: Federation, and leading international and [email protected]): Russian research organisations will take part in the event.  Application for admission to the master program; V. Academic Programme offers of  Diploma (or some analogous Russian Universities. document) on program of level of a bachelor degree or certificate 1) National Research Novosibirsk State (ordering) about passing now such University (NRU NSU) program.  TOEFL certificate (score 50-70: True Data Scientist solves the problem by intermediate or upper intermediate combining the hardcore science and level) or other international certificates breakthrough data mining technologies with (BEC etc.) of similar level. inexplicable art of human understanding. As a  Curriculum Vitae of the applicant. student you will take part in real projects,  Motivational letter (1-2 pages) on working with the team through all the project entrance to the Program. stages to acquire deep knowledge and master  Recommendation of the professor of your skills in analyzing the core problems of mathematics, informatics, director of your customer, planning and managing software engineering company, or project resources, engineering software, head of information technology collecting and processing all sorts of data, department of state organization. and discovering the precious insights that put the whole data puzzle together. Till July, 1 the procedure of selection of applicants for testing passing is carried out. Term: 2 years Till July, 15 the interview with committee of Language of instruction: English leading professors of the Chair of General Entrance requirements: For both foreign Informatics DITNSU is carried out (on site or students and graduates of the Russian higher via remote conferencing (Skype/Hangouts)). education institutions (including bachelor Features of this interview are reflected in the graduates of NRU NSU): following section of the Program. Till July, 20 the admittance to the Program  Educational diploma (certificate or occurs. analogous document) on program of level of a bachelor degree or of a 2) Ural Federal University (UrFU) specialist qualification of any Currently the university is home to more specialization; than 30 000 students from 60 countries of  Strong motivation to be Data Scientist; the world and more than 2 000 faculty members including the top-notch global 17 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016 experts in the spheres of natural sciences,  Sustainable Development engineering and social sciences. Our 17  Human Capital Research Institutes offer more than 350 Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Programs in natural Contact persons: sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics and management 1) Mrs Olga Malik, Lead Manager, Center taught in Russian and English. The for International Student Mobility and number of UrFU alumni exceeds 300 000 Recruiting , Tel: +7 (343) 374-54-34, Email: [email protected] people. 2) Mrs. Anna Boikova, Project Manager (Research), Email: URFU offers: [email protected] 1) 3-4 year Doctoral Programs; 2) accommodation in a University dorm; In 2014 Ural Federal University launched the 3) the possibility to be employed as a annual “UrFUPostDoc” contest to support researcher in the group of your thesis research projects carried out by young advisor; promising international scientists at UrFU. 4) free courses; Every year UrFU awards 20 grants for foreign 5) the possibility to defend the Candidate postdocs. The main objective of the contest is of Science* thesis or an UrFU PhD to select the most promising research projects thesis. developed at UrFU Competence Centers, as well as to attract talented young international *The first doctoral degree in Russia scientists for the development of such (Candidate of Science). It is gained after 3 to projects. The contest supports projects in 5 years in a post-graduate school. The the following fields: qualification requirements include mandatory publications in peer reviewed journals and  information technologies approval on the Federal government level.  energy and resource saving  flexible technologies and new Entry requirements: materials  Master’s Degree in a field related to  living systems and health the field of Doctoral Studies  B2 level of English or Russian The contest is divided into two stages: project  Interview contest and post-doctoral candidate contest. The candidates have to be researchers under Application deadline: 30th June 2016. 35 years of age, that have defended a PhD Short Description of Doctoral Programs thesis no longer than 7 years before the  Physical Chemistry announcement of the contest, with a good  Organic Chemistry knowledge of English and publications in  Theoretical Physics journals indexed in Scopus and Web of  Condensed Matter Physics Science databases.  Plant Physiology and Biochemistry  Mathematical Analysis and Function Contacts: Mr Sergey Zvonarev or Ms Anna Theory Boikova, Project management specialist,  Theory and methodology of physical International research collaboration support, Tel:+7(912)246-04-08; E-mail: education, sports training, improving [email protected]; Website: and adaptive physical culture http://urfu.ru/en/;  Nuclear power plants 18 Science & Technology in Russia January - February 2016

3) Moscow Institute of Physics and o *All documents should be submitted in Technology (MIPT) English or Russian language to the Department of International Affairs of MIPT offers International Master’s MIPT at: [email protected] Programmes: 1) Physical Sciences Application deadlines:  Physics of Nanostructures ; Early admissions deadline: January 31,  Physics of Radiation-Matter 2016 Interaction; Reply deadline for early admissions students:  Planetary Science Mathematics; Marсh 01, 2016  Advanced Combinatorics; Regular admissions deadline: May 31, 2016 2) Computer Science Reply deadline for regular admissions  Advanced Cybernetics (Cybernetics students: July 01, 2016 2.0.)  Neural Networks & Neural Computers Conditions Provided: 3) Engineering & Technology Tuition fees (Governmental full-tuition  Aerodynamics scholarship (early application recommended)  Materials Design or Standard tuition fee in amount of 190 000  Beam Plasma Systems and Rub (per year)) Technologies Accommodation: Residence at MIPT 4) Life Sciences modern student's dormitory with a living cost  Omics Technologies in amount of 600-1300 RUB per month. Duration: 2 years (full-time) Medical insurance: Costs 7000 Rub per ECTS credits: 120 year and is free for students applying for Language of Instruction: English the full-tuition scholarship Degree Awarded: Master of Science How it works: After the documents are Entry Requirements: accepted you will be sent a letter with further o Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent; instructions within one week o High academic results; Contact information: Department of o Proof of English language knowledge International Affairs, 9 Institutskiy per., equivalent to level B2 (TOEFLiBT, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141700, IELTS or equivalent). Russian Federation, Tel: +7 (495) 408-7563, E-mail: [email protected] Admission Tests: Examination and/or an Interview with a programme coordinator (option via-Skype)

List of documents required: o Passport (scanned copy); o Diploma(s) and official academic transcript(s) of records (scanned copy); o Resume (including educational awards, results of academic competitions, scientific publications)’ o Statement of purpose; o 2 letters of recommendation; o Certificate of language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL) (scanned copy). 19