World-renowned scientist Yuri Zaykov became an honorary professor of KBSU

The founder of the leading scientific school «Electrochemical Materials Science», Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Chemical Sciences Yuri Zaykov received the title of Honorary Professor of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov.

For many years, Yuri Pavlovich has been collaborating with the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry of the Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Joint research is being conducted in the field of high-temperature electrochemistry of molten salts. This work is especially relevant, because there is a shortage of rare earth metals in the world. Also, KBSU postgraduate students defend their candidate’s theses in the dissertation council, which is headed by Professor Yuri Zaykov.

Currently, Yuri Pavlovich, together with his colleagues, is developing the world’s first fast neutron reactor with a lead coolant — the fourth-generation reactor BREST-OD-300. This is a unique technology for processing spent nuclear fuel within the framework of the Rosatom project direction «Breakthrough». KBSU will also join the implementation of this global project.

This is the project of the century — the future of all mankind. Firstly, the fuel issue will be resolved. Today, only 0.6% of mined uranium is used, that is, uranium-235. And here we will be able to use the main isotope — uranium-238. We will solve the energy problem for tens of thousands of years. Secondly, this will be environmentally friendly energy, even cleaner than solar or wind. Thirdly, one of the provisions of the project is radiation equivalence. That is, how much radioactive substances we extracted from the Earth, the same amount must be returned back so that waste does not accumulate,

— Zaikov noted, talking about the project.

Yuri Altudov expressed his intention to fruitfully cooperate with the Institute of High-Temperature Electrochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a world leader in the field of high-temperature electrochemical processes, and thanked Yuri Zaikov for the invitation to participate in the scientists’ project to create a unique technology for reprocessing nuclear fuel.

The ceremony of initiating Yuri Zaikov into honorary professorship of KBSU was held in the hall of the university’s academic council. As a sign of respect and recognition of the merits of the acting rector of the university, Yuri Altudov presented the guest with a cherkeska.