Research and Teaching Interests
Hometown: Yekaterinburg, Russia; B.Sc. from Ural Federal University.
Research Project:
Our group’s research is pertinent to the solid-state chemistry and motivated by the concept of solid-oxide fuel cells.
My particular project is on model compounds for cells’ electrolytes. We look into conditions of their failure from the structural point of view. It implies understanding what governs or violates certain arrangement of ions in solids and which properties it imposes or affects. Hence, some of the sub-topics we have to address are crystallographic site preferences, phase transitions, other effects of high temperature and pressure, as well as correlation of ionic size and stability/accessibility of the structure, etc. Among main challenges are how to purposefully tune or model properties by clever doping, how to rearrange the anions in a desired way without disrupting the cationic scaffold, etc. The long-term goal is to understand how to avoid high-T-induced changes in the structure and lower the operating temperatures of the fuel cells. Main synthetic approach is solid-state synthesis, and analysis is predominantly diffraction (XRD/NPD), assisted by certain thermal, magnetic, and X-ray spectroscopic measurements.
Reasons for coming to U of M:
Wanted to find an English-speaking institution with a strong focus on science and solid educational program, and situated in an eco-friendly place. Some other essentials, which U of M definitely has, were basic amiability towards foreigners, student support, and relative affordability. Additional bonus was (still is) my supervisor’s contagious scientific enthusiasm.
Interests:
I somewhat like reading on history and philosophy of science. I am an active music listener, music predominantly being of the stone-grinding type. On top of that I have a bass guitar, but it mostly collects dust in the corner. In the future I hope to at least wipe the dust. Beginner-level hobbies include origami (practical) and paleozoology (theoretical).