Master’s students of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU study the specifics of polymeric materials at KBSU

Master’s students of the Advanced Engineering School «Digital Engineering» of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University are studying at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berebkov. The network program «Mechanics of Polymer and Composite Materials» combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the development of high-tech polymer production.

The program is being implemented under the scientific supervision of KBSU Vice-Rector for Research, Professor Svetlana Khashirova. In a conversation with the master’s students, she emphasized:

We aim to share our knowledge for the development of the polymer industry. In Russia, there is not a single superstructural material produced on an industrial scale. For example, together with Gazpromneft, we plan to launch the production of polyetheretherketone. This will contribute to ensuring technological independence, because such polymers are used in strategically important areas — aviation, space, medicine,

— the vice-rector noted and called on students to set ambitious goals, the achievement of which can benefit humanity.

The course includes lectures on leading disciplines, such as «Modern Methods of Polymer Research», «Modern Problems of Chemistry and Physicochemistry of High-Molecular Compounds» and «Technological Complexes for Managing Production Processes for Obtaining Polymers and Composite Materials Based on Them».

The main emphasis is on practice. Under the guidance of leading specialists from the Center for Advanced Materials and Additive Technologies (CAMP) of KBSU Azamat Zhanzitov, Azamat Slonov and Albert Shabaev, students master the full technological cycle of working with polymers: from synthesis to testing for fire resistance and mechanical properties and analysis of the structure. In addition, young researchers from St. Petersburg get acquainted with important aspects related to determining the structure and composition of polymers.

Master’s student at the SPbPU PISh Pavel Vostryakov comments:

I used to work with metals, but the trip to Nalchik opened up the world of polymers. We were taught everything: from polymer synthesis to various tests — mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal and chromatography. Now I am considering a career in this field — perhaps as a technologist or engineer.

Cooperation between universities is an example of an effective network model of education. It not only trains specialists, but also creates conditions for import substitution in strategic areas.