Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (State University)

1. Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (State University) Dr. Alexander V. Shelyakov Workshop « R&D on Materials in Russia and CIS » Paris, June 10 -11, 2002

2. Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (State University) HISTORY 1942 - The Moscow Mechanics Institute of Ammunition is established to train specialists for the defense industry. 1953 – The Institute is renamed Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI) 1992 - MEPhI opens to foreign students on a contract basis. Today MEPhI enrolls about 6,000 students, with six branches of MEPhI in other towns. Its mission is to advance learning through the integration of teaching, research and service to others.

3. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES The principal directions of the Institute’s scientific research and innovative activities are: nuclear physics, elementary-particle physics and physics of accelerators; nuclear and thermonuclear energetic of advanced safety; solid-state physics and superconductivity; solid-state radiation physics, studies of radiation materials and microelectronics; laser physics and optical processes; physics of natural and technogenic catastrophes; ecology; new information technologies; mathematical and informational provision for financial activity.

4. Advanced shape memory thin materials produced by melt quenching technique (1) The goal of the project is to develop, produce and investigate new thin materials with shape memory effect (SME). It is suggested that rapid melt quenching can be used to obtain a wide range of new alloys founded on the TiNi intermetallics in amorphous, microcrystalline, or nanocrystalline states. The optimal technological parameters of production for thin SME ribbons with improved physical and mechanical properties will be found.

5. Advanced shape memory thin materials produced by melt quenching technique (2) Pilot manufacturing of ribbon will be organized. The proposed technology is simple, not multi-staged, but low-resource consuming and ecologically clean. Technological basis for production of rapidly quenched alloys of the quasi-binary TiNiTiCu system has already been developed.

6. Thermosensitive devices based onrapidly quenched shape memory alloys Objectives: increase the speed of response and the sensitivity of thermosensors widen significantly the fields of sensor application through their miniaturization; ensure low cost of devices. The most promising materials for solving this problem are rapidly quenched Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). On the basis of manufactured Ti50Ni25Cu25 ribbons (already developed technology), a number of thermosensitive devices, including thermal relays, fire/heat sensitive detectors, thermal regulators for temperature control, fiber-optic thermosensors were developed. Several types of thermal relays and heat detectors for fire alarm system were produced and commercialised.

7. RT-001 RT-002 RT-003 IP-109 RT-1003 RT-2003 IP-103-31 Thermal relays based on rapidly quenched SMA ribbons Fire/heat detectors for fire alarm systems based on rapidly quenched SMA ribbons

8. Potential Application of SME materials (1) Thermo-sensitive devices: various micro-electro-mechanical elements, compatible with the silicon technology; temperature indicators; thermal relays; detectors of fire alarm systems for installations, dwellings, for rail and motor transport; temperature regulators in units for temperature control in greenhouses, grain elevators, vegetable stores and warehouses; liquid- and vapor-overheating sensors in cooling radiators, oil cooling jackets of industrial transformers, heat exchangers, and steam boilers; temperature switches for car carburetors, radiators, fans, and seat-heating systems; thermosensors for control of production processes.

9. Potential Application of SME materials (2) A wide variety of medical tasks can be accomplished with the help of thin SME materials, specifically: strengthening and making a prosthetic appliance of blood-vessel walls, in particular, in the case of varicose veins and arterial vessels narrowing; filters for catching clots of blood; liquidation of cerebral arteries tumors and arteriosclerosis clots of blood through prevention of circulation of blood in them; making a prosthetic appliance of mitral valves, creating artificial heart muscles; producing diminutive medical instruments, in particular, for endoscopic surgery (grippers, localization hooks, scalpels, etc.).

10. Potential Application of SME materials (3) In addition, foil ribbon with SME offers considerable promise as: operating elements of light modulators in optical data-processing systems; thermo-drives in heat machines and refrigerators; damping materials and components of composite materials; actuating mechanisms in consumer goods (limit thermometers, thermostats, toys, jewelers, etc.).

11. Partners The MEPhI has agreements with institutions from the following countries: • USA, • Japan, • Germany, • France, • The Netherlands, • Italy, • Belgium, • Sweden, • Norway • Great Britain, • Denmark, • China, • Korea, • Canada, • Poland, • Romania, • Greece

12. IPR issues • Published scientific papers and monographs. • Owners of: • “know-how” for alloy compositions and production technology of SMA thin ribbon. • “know-how” for production technology of SMA thin ribbon and thermosensitive devices based on SMAs as well as patents

13. Contacts Dr. Alexander Shelyakov Dept. of Solid State Physics Moscow Engineering Physics Institute Kashirskoe shosse 31 Moscow 115409, RUSSIA Tel: +7 (095)323-9164 Fax: +7 (095)324-2111 e-mail: alex@pico.mephi.ru , alex-shel@mtu-net.ru