Российская наука и мир (дайджест)

Академик Российской инженерной академии, профессор Д.Н. Гаркунов награжден Золотой медалью Института инженеров-механиков (IMechE) за исследования в области трибологии.

An 86-year-old Russian professor has won the coveted 2005 Tribology Gold Medal from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Prof Dmitrii Nikolaevich Garkunov, an academic with the Russian Academy of Engineers, has been awarded the medal for his achievements in tribology, an area of science focusing on the study of friction, wear and lubrication.
The IMechE administers the Tribology Trust which decided Dr Garkunov should get the top accolade, and highlighted his research in the fields of selective transfer and metal hydrogen wear.
He was born on in 1919 in the village of Rozhki in the Kirov district of Russia and graduated from the Physo-Mathematical Faculty of the Tomsk State University, his special subject being metal physics, in 1941. He continued his studies at the Zhukovskii Air Force Engineering Academy and received his doctorate in 1962. After graduation and until 1970 he worked in the Aviation Research Institute. His research was on problems of improving the wear resistance and lifetime of aircraft parts.
Since 1970 he has lectured on problems of tribology and materials science in the Gomel State University, the Russian Academy of Consumer Service, the Moscow Agro Engineering Institute and other Institutes. He is still working as a Professor at the Russian Academy of Quality Problems.
Dr Peter Jost, CBE, Chairman of IMechE's Tribology Trust Awards Committee said: "Prof Garkunov's scientific ideas were new and original. He is the founder of a new direction in tribology, based on two discoveries. They are the "no-wear effect" (selective transfer phenomena) and the phenomenon of hydrogen wear of metals."
Dr Jost went on to explain: "The explanation of the no-wear effect mechanism is understood to be a principle of the evolution of biological systems. His inventions have found wide application in aviation technology and in light and heavy, as well as chemical industries, agriculture and others, increasing service life, reliability and reduction of lubricants and yielding considerable economic benefits."
NB: Among his achievements in the science and technology field, Prof Garkunov has received The Achievement Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation (2002) The Russian Federation President Prize (2003)

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PublicTechnology.net - UK / 19 September 2005

Young scientists meet in Moscow to celebrate project success

126 самых талантливых молодых ученых из 35 стран собрались в Москве в Бауманском университете на 17 Соревновании молодых ученых Европейского Союза.

Yesterday, on Sunday 18 September, 126 young people from 35 countries – some of the of Europe's best young scientists plus guests from the USA, Japan and China – met in Moscow at the Bauman University to compete in the 17th European Union Young Scientist Contest.
Today and tomorrow the 79 innovative projects exhibited there will be judged by a distinguished jury headed by Dr Ulf Merbold, the first European Space Agency astronaut to go into space. On 21 September the prizes, worth £28,500, will be awarded in the Council Hall of Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour complex. This annual event is to encourage young people to pursue their interest in science and embark on scientific careers.
European Commissioner for Research, Janez Potočnik says about the event "In today's world it is more important than ever to foster an environment in which truly excellent science is not only put to use through technology but is also recognised for its contribution to society and culture in general. Events like the EU Young Scientist Contest help to stimulate the natural curiosity and innovation of our young people."
The 79 projects competing in the contest cover a wide range of scientific disciplines – from engineering and the environment to medicine, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, mathematics and the social sciences. The standard of entrants is always high and several past projects have led to scientific breakthroughs or the setting up of new businesses. Only projects that have won a top prize at a national young scientist competition can participate in the EU Contest. Thus the Contest represents a real scientific challenge for more than 30 000 young scientists who compete annually in their national contests.
Because of the diversity of disciplines represented at the contest, it is impossible to determine one overall winner. So there is not just one first prize but three, along with three second prizes and three third prizes. In addition there are several special prizes: for example, expenses-paid visits to the London International Youth Science Forum in 2006 and Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (2005).
The award ceremony will be held on 21 September at 11am Moscow time in the Council Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour complex. Prizes will be presented by Achilleas Mitsos, the European Commission's Director-General for Research, together with Ulf Merbold, the President of the Jury, Alexander Fursenko, Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and Igor Fedorov, Rector of the Bauman University.
The EU Young Scientist Contest has been held annually since 1989. It is supported by the Science and Society Programme of the Sixth Framework Programme for Research.Details of the winners will be announced on 21 September. A 13 minute documentary of the event, with free broadcasting rights will be available on application.

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NewKerala.com / 19 September 2005

India "keen" to hold IT, bio-technology research with Russia

Индия выразила готовность вложить 75-100 миллионов долларов в совместные с российскими учеными исследования в области информационных технологий, био- и нано-технологий.

New Delhi, Sep 17: India today expressed keenness to go for a 75-100 million dollar endeavour to explore opportunities with the Russian scientists in the areas areas of IT, bio-technology and nano technology.
The proposal was likely to be given final shape at an Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission meeting in end-October, Indian Ambassador to Moscow Kanwal Sibal said here while speaking at the valedictory session of the India Russia Business Partnership 2005 "Redefining Horizons" organised by the CII.
Elaborating the importance of collaboration in science and technology, he said when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Moscow later this year, he is likely to announce the setting up of an Indian Center of Technology in Russia.
"Synergising our relationship in science and technology is important. There is a great deal of focus here through the integrated long-term program where many Russian scientists have visited India," he noted. The ambassador termed the new emerging Russia as a high-growth, dynamic, consumerist society, adding that its economy will change progressively over the next 1-2 years.
He noted that bank guarantees are an issue for the Russian businessmen because of a lack of confidence on the Indian side.
"Indians need to change their mindset. Many world-class Russian banks have emerged. The RBI has identified 10-12 Russian banks with whom Indian banks can do business." The main concerns and ideas proposed during the conclave and the action plan from this meeting will provide helpful inputs for policy changes at the government level, he added.
Mr M S Rao, Joint Secretary to India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said that it was no longer relevant for the governments to conduct business transactions.
"While interaction has to continue on negotiations, concessions, regulations on the political front, business to business contacts have to emerge," he added. He also provided details of the various government assistance programs for businessmen keen to do business in Russia.
Mr Andrei Gribkov, Head of Asia and Africa Department, RUSAL, stressed the need for transparency regarding rules, regulations and legal framework while inviting investment and business proposals at the state level.
Mr Viktor Koksharov, Minister of International and Foreign Economic Relations of the Serdlovsk Region, invited Indian businessmen to engage with various regions of the Russian Federation "because it is in the Federal States and not in the capitals that real wealth is generated." CII Director-General N Srinivasan also spoke.

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