Modernization and technical upgrade of research and development complex

The essential condition for innovative development of the science and technology complex of the Fuel Company is continuous improvement and modernization of scientific and technical infrastructure.

Modernization and development of infrastructure is carried out within the framework of the projects for technical upgrade of the enterprises comprising the complex and in accordance with the Federal Target Program "Nuclear and Radiation Safety 2016-2020 and through 2030".

Personnel Training

Annually the empoyees of TVEL Fuel Company take part in the international and Russian scientific conferences, seminars and exhibitions; moreover, the Company's specialists visit foreign firms and scientific centres within execution of foreign trade contracts.

VNIINM JSC provides training of research and scientific-pedagogical personnel (on-the-job training) in accordance with the license to carry out educational activity.

In order to develop scientific competencies of young specialists and to adjust the specialist training programs to the demands of TVEL Fuel Company, VNIINM JSC has organized the work of the branch of department 9 of National Research Nuclear University MEPhI on the adjusted training programs in the following disciplines: "Construction materials of nuclear reactors", "Special issues of material science", "Science of superconducting materials".

For more efficient training of the students:

• the leading specialists of the organization (candidates and doctors of sciences) were involved;
• teaching aids were prepared;
• time-schedule of classroom studies (lectures and practical trainings) and laboratory classes were worked out;
• control was maintained over the training process, including preparation of the course papers.

For detailed information on the personnel training please refer to the Section "Development of Staff Capacities"

Involvement of universities in projects implementation

VNIINM JSC carries out R&D in cooperation with the leading educational institutions: D.I. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, I. Kant Baltic Federal University, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, etc.

Non-nuclear businesses are being developed in innovative areas of activities. Participation of the core universities of ROSATOM makes it possible to engage the most ambitious teams and scientific research results.

In the area of Additive Technologies the Company cooperates with National University of Science and Technology MISiS and St. Petersburg Polytechnic University as regards R&D for creation of multipowder 3D printer. Currently the project is being implemented on production of automated complexes of layer-by-layer synthesis of geometrically-complex metal parts (3D-printer); the project is co-funded by the Ministry of Education.

In 2017 Centrotech SPA LLC together with the team of the Ural Federal University and the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences elaborated the working design documentation for power plants on solid oxide fuel cells 250W and 500 W. The technology of production of unit fuel element, stack, solid oxide fuel cell, held by Centrotech SPA LLC (ZEP LLC) and developed in 2016 together with the Ural Federal University and the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences served the base technology for this development result. This development is unique due to refusal of precious metals, which will make it possible to reduce the price of the article at batch production, and to make use of the articles on the objects where no security is required (unlike the articles with high content of precious metals). Production of demonstration model of power plant 250W and demonstration model of power plant 500W is planned for 2018, as a continuation of the joint activity.

The products under development will be applied primarily at the objects of Gazprom PJSC (to power the cathodic protection station, and the infrastructure facilities of the pipeline system of Gazprom PJSC). The future would-be customers are mobile network operators, major electric distribution companies, housing and utility sector objects, settlements that are distant from electric power transmission lines, etc.

The issue is being negotiated concerning engagement of D.I. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia to production of isotopes of light elements.

The work with the Moscow Aviation Institute is also in progress in the sphere of development of new titanium alloys and establishment of industrial production of articles made of such alloys for the purposes of the aircraft industry.

Amount of investment for R&D in higher educational establishments was RUB 215 mln in 2017.