University Establishes Hydrogen Energy Research Institute

09:19, August 17, 2022

Institute specialists will develop functional materials and devices [photo report]

The Hydrogen Energy Research Institute was established at Ural Federal University. It will become a platform for implementation of the large-scale project "Materials and Technologies for Hydrogen and Nuclear Power Engineering". The new research institute was created as part of the Priority 2030 Strategic Academic Leadership Program. The employees of the institute will develop and synthesize new functional materials and devices with high performance characteristics for hydrogen power engineering.

According to scientists, the hydrogen field of alternative energy is currently receiving special attention. In Russia, as in many countries of the world, state strategies have been adopted, which fix the goals, tasks, strategic initiatives and key measures for its development.

"Hydrogen energy opens new prospects for the development of the world economy, because hydrogen, due to its energy and environmental characteristics as well as its almost inexhaustible supply, serves as an ideal substitute for any energy carrier," says Yury Zaykov, Scientific Director of the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The established institution is equipped with modern technological equipment, including high-temperature furnaces, microscopes, potentiostat-galvanostat and analytical apparatus for determining the chemical and elemental composition of the substance.

"Due to the current scientific background, modern instrumentation equipment, proactive young team, support of the Ministry of Science and Education of Russia and industrial partners, we have a great opportunity to conduct innovative research and develop technologies for hydrogen energy carriers that will be in demand in the near future. To solve these interesting tasks, we invite young scientists not only from Ural Federal University, but also from universities all over the country," said Pavel Pershin, Deputy Head for Development of the Ural Federal University Institute of Physics and Technology.

Pavel Pershin added that at the Hydrogen Energy Research Institute the share of young scientists, whose age does not exceed 35 years, is more than 80%. There are plans to create new youth laboratories, as well as a testing center where students and PhD students can have practical training. In 2023, a Master's Degree program "Materials and Technologies of Hydrogen Energy" will be launched with the availability of budget-funded places.

Active work is carried out with partners, whose representatives are members of the Scientific Council of the institute. One of the Hydrogen Energy Research Institute's main partners is the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is a leader in the field of electrochemical materials science, electrochemical power engineering, and in research of solid oxide systems for fuel cells and high-temperature electrolysers.

"The Middle Ural has everything we need to train highly qualified specialists in this field: powerful scientific and educational potential, strong material science and electrochemical scientific schools," emphasized Yury Zaykov.

Other institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences are partners of the Hydrogen Energy Research Institute, as well as the Luch Scientific Production Association, Tsentrotech Scientific Production Association, Chepetskiy Mechanical Plant, National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Concern Rosenergoatom, metallurgical and chemical enterprises.

The news article was translated by UrFU International Marketing Office
info.international@urfu.ru, +7 (343) 375-45-19