Official website of the President of Russia

Irek Mukhamatdinov, winner of the 2022 Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists

The prize was awarded for the development of aquathermolysis catalysts for enhanced oil recovery.

Irek Mukhamatdinov was born on September 10, 1989, in Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic; he is a senior research fellow at Kazan Federal University, Candidate of Engineering Sciences.

He specialises in matters related to developing oil and gas fields, catalysts, and the chemistry of high molecular weight compounds. Scientometric indicators (publications/Hirsch index): WoS – 27/11, Scopus – 73/15, RSCI – 99/13.

In his research, Irek Mukhamatdinov focuses on developing aquathermolysis catalysts for enhanced oil recovery.

The reserves of hard-to-recover (unconventional) oils are several times higher compared to light and medium oil reserves, which demonstrates the importance of developing such deposits. Natural resources of this kind include high-viscosity oils and bitumen. Extracting them is a challenging task. One of the possible approaches is called “soaking” – it is based of decreasing the viscosity of oil by means of injecting agents into the oil reservoir. Interacting with certain oil components they decrease its viscosity. In this case the processing actually starts before oil extraction.

Irek Mukhamatdinov developed special transition-metal-based catalysts. Injecting these catalysts into the oil formation along with hot water steam gets them activated, producing an aquathermolysis reaction which decreases oil viscosity. This method helps substantially reduce the costs of oil extraction and its transportation, as well as its subsequent processing, as the chemical reactions inside the oil formation prepare the oil for its further use and refining into petroleum products with a value. The catalysts developed by Irek Mukhamatdinov have already proven their worth during field tests, which confirmed that this was a promising technology.

In the future, this could considerably increase the refining margin in many regions, especially in the European part of Russia.

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Alexander Osadchiyev, winner of the 2022 Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists

The prize was awarded for achievements in studying oceanological processes in the Russian Arctic seas that are essential for promoting economic activity along the Northern Sea Route.

Alexander Osadchiyev was born on December 28, 1987, in Moscow; he is a senior research fellow at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

He specialises in physical oceanology, sea currents, river plumes, sea ice, the Arctic, and the Arctic Ocean. Scientometric indicators (publications/Hirsch index): WoS – 45/17, Scopus – 46/17, RSCI – 117/17.

In his study, Alexander Osadchiyev focused on studying fundamental patterns in water structure and movements in the Arctic Ocean. In particular, he explored how it is affected by the freshwater discharge from the great Siberian rivers. The researcher provided the first detailed description of mechanisms involved in freshening the waters of three Arctic seas: the Kara Sea, the Laptev Sea, and the East Siberian Sea. He was also the first researcher to demonstrate that large-scale movements of fresh water in the Arctic depends on hydrometeorological and oceanographic conditions. Alexander Osadchiyev proved the existence of two previously unknown warm currents in the northern part of the Kara Sea. Using field measurements, satellite observations and computational modelling, Alexander Osadchiyev studied river plumes – their structure, movement and variability. These are unique oceanological phenomena that can be described as a persistent isolated water mass formed by river discharge and distinct from the surrounding waters. Alexander Osadchiyev developed new computational models for reproducing and forecasting plume formation and spread.

The research results obtained by Alexander Osadchiyev made a meaningful contribution to developing physical oceanology, in particular, for understanding the key mechanisms behind the ongoing shifts and changes in the Arctic, including how ocean water is affected by river discharge, as well as large-scale and synoptical processes in the ocean. From a practical standpoint, Alexander Osadchiyev’s work is instrumental for forecasting and assessing the impact of climate change in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation resulting from natural and man-made factors.

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Irina Timofeyeva, Andrei Shishov, winners of the 2022 Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists

The prize was awarded for developing materials and methods of instrumental chemical analysis for industrial, natural, and biomedical subjects.

Irina Timofeyeva was born on January 7, 1989, in Volkhov, Leningrad Region; she is an associate professor at St Petersburg State University, Candidate of Chemical Sciences.

She specialises in analytical chemistry. Scientometric indicators (publications/Hirsch index): WoS – 24/11, Scopus – 24/11, RSCI – 24/6.

Andrei Shishov was born on August 27, 1990, in Leningrad; he is an associate professor at St Petersburg State University, Candidate of Chemical Sciences.

He specialises in analytical chemistry. Scientometric indicators (publications/Hirsch index): WoS – 50/18, Scopus – 50/18, RSCI – 44/12.

In their study, Irina Timofeyeva and Andrei Shishov focused on developing new analytical methods in relation to the extraction using the so-called deep eutectic solvents. These methods provide for selective analysis of small-scale complex samples quickly and with minimal use of additional reagents. These methods can be used in a broad range of applications, including for controlling the quality of agricultural products, in medicine, forensics, petrochemical analysis and many other areas.

In their study, Timofeyeva and Shishov relied on both fundamental research and applied science without sacrificing either of the two components. The researchers demonstrated that deep eutectic solvents are fully compatible with many conventional methods of analysis such as chromatography, while also being relatively safe and accessible. They served as a foundation for developing multiple microextraction methods for extracting the analysed agents from the sample quickly and selectively. Timofeyeva and Shishov have improved and put into practice the flow-through analysis methods which enhance efficiency and reproducibility. Their solution is already used in test kits by St Petersburg companies, as confirmed by corresponding documents, for example, when analysing the quality of concrete structures used in housing construction. The researchers took out a patent to protect their intellectual property.

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Ivan Fisenko, winner of the 2022 Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists

The prize was awarded for developing a technology for testing complex technical devices, which ensures the strengthening of Russia’s defence capability.

Ivan Fisenko was born on June 9, 1987, in Kamyshin, Volgograd Region, and works at the 12^th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defence, holds a PhD in technical sciences.

In his research, Mr Fisenko focuses on weapons and military equipment, complexes and systems designed for military purposes. Total number of patents: 1

His work is dedicated to developing and introducing a new technology for testing complex devices for stability and safety of operation under the influence of electromagnetic factors of natural and artificial origin.

The technology includes computational models, computational and experimental methods and techniques, as well as specially developed test tools. The presented technology makes it possible to identify the vulnerabilities of complex technical devices, systems and complexes to the influence of electromagnetic factors during tests; develop recommendations for improving their security; and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken. Modified test objects can function under the influence of powerful electromagnetic fields.

The technology is actively used in preliminary and state testing of complex technical devices, systems and complexes. The use of this technology made it possible, in the course of preliminary and state tests, to conduct an experimental assessment of the stability and safety of using more than 30 samples of complex technical devices under the influence of electromagnetic factors.