This year, Derzhavin University focused on comprehensive support for young scientists and applied developments. It was important for the university to create conditions in which scientific ideas would grow into real projects. Particular attention was paid to mentoring so that young scientists would gain the necessary skills and confidence for further independent research work.
Derzhavin University is the absolute leader in the region in terms of the number of the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year won by Derzhavin University students: 10 federal scholarships have been awarded to TSU students. Three students won federal personal scholarships for the upcoming academic year. 11 students once again confirmed the high rank of the University in the region by winning the most scholarships of the Government of the Tambov Region. For achievements in studies and sports activities, active participation in Olympiads, contests, festivals and competitions, five Derzhavin University students received personal scholarships of the Tambov City Duma. For the 2024/2025 academic year, two students became holders of the Government of the Russian Federation scholarship for students of secondary vocational education.
With the support of Rector Pavel Moiseev, the Student Scientific Society (SSS) of the University implemented the project "Coaching SSS". Scientific leaders of the University and young researchers formed the competencies of representatives of thematic SSS of structural divisions for the development of youth science at the university and the popularization of science among students.
Under the national project "Science and Universities", a new youth laboratory was created in Derzhavin University, which specializes in biotechnology to combat climate change. Youth laboratories are modern spaces where young scientists work on applied research under the guidance of experienced mentors.
The University is implementing a project like this for the first time and already has something to be proud of. The staff of the youth laboratory taught microalgae to effectively remove toxic pollutants from water using copper oxide nanoparticles. Removing pollutants from the aquatic environment is a pressing issue worldwide. At the same time, microscopic algae are actively used as a biological sorbent for such pollutants, since their cells are capable of accumulating various toxic elements, such as cadmium and lead.
For many years, zirconium ceramics and its composites have found the widest application in a variety of practical applications, from heat-resistant crucibles to dental crowns and implants, from bearings to bulletproof vests. However, zirconium ceramic products have two drawbacks: they are fragile and degrade under prolonged exposure to moisture. Derzhavin University scientists have created samples of nanostructured composite ceramics based on zirconium dioxide with additives of aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide, which have a small, but still a reserve of plasticity in combination with increased resistance to moisture.
Derzhavin University scientists have succeeded in developing ice composites, the strength of which exceeds the strength of pure ice by 4 times, while significantly increasing its crack resistance to the point of suppressing brittle fracture - the main scourge of ice as a structural material. The resulting ice composites are environmentally friendly, inexpensive to manufacture, and do not require disposal after completion of operation. They are suitable for the construction of runways, unloading areas, roads, and crossings in the Arctic. The work is carried out in accordance with the university's strategic project under the Priority-2030 program.
Under the Priority 2030 program, scientists have also developed a method for predicting the lethal outcome of SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia. Both in Russia and abroad, there have been attempts to model the processes of infectious diseases in specific patients using scientific methods. However, many of them did not provide a high level of accuracy. Derzhavin University researchers have been granted a patent for their work.
Under the federal project "Development of Domestic Civil Instrument Engineering for Scientific Research", the University's research team presented a prototype of a universal device for express analysis and characterization of the physical and mechanical properties of composite materials using nanoindentation and digital scratch testing methods. It operates in the range from nano- to macro- and will allow determining the micro- and macromechanical properties of a sample, such as hardness, elastic modulus, and an analogue of the compressive strength limit.
Scientists from Derzhavin University, together with colleagues from specialized organizations, have proven that metallurgical waste can be used as fertilizer. For a long time, the processing of large-tonnage secondary metallurgy products was not a priority. It was quite acceptable to stockpile and store them for decades in dumps and storage ponds, which over time began to pose an environmental problem. The combined effect of blast furnace sludge as a source of microelements and converter slag as a soil conditioner that increases the bioavailability of microelements on agricultural crops has not been previously assessed. The work was carried out under a state assignment from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.
Nano-structuring has improved the quality of titanium alloy with shape memory. This has been experimentally confirmed by scientists from our university. Titanium nickelide (TiNi) is one of the most widely used alloys with shape memory effect, which demonstrates the best combination of properties. Today, such alloys are used in the automotive industry, aviation, robotics and medicine - areas that require products to have special mechanical properties and high tribotechnical indicators.
The study was conducted at the TSU Center for Collective Use of Scientific Equipment. This year, Derzhavin University successfully completed the implementation of a three-year project to develop the Center. With grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, it was possible to equip the Center with modern high-tech scientific equipment for a total of more than 61.5 million rubles, master new methods, and provide the university and potential customers with the opportunity to develop new scientific areas.
The Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Education of Derzhavin University is the first in the country to solve the problem of developing a comprehensive methodological system for training future foreign language teachers based on AI technologies. The project has been implemented at the Department of Linguistics and Lingvodidactics of the Faculty of Pedagogy since 2024. It involves more than 20 teachers and 300 students of the University.
The successful career of young researchers largely depends on the quality of their training and the availability of necessary resources. For the second time, the University is holding a Derzhavin Grants competition to support small student research teams. The first winners – nine teams headed by a scientific supervisor – spent a year conducting research work and presenting their results in top-rated scientific publications indexed in the international scientometric databases Scopus and Web of Science.
In order to intensify research in various fields of science, train new personnel and transfer knowledge, the University once again held a grant competition for research teams. Five research teams were supported, which will conduct research in physics, medicine, geography and history.
Traditionally, scientists strengthen their research focus by winning RSF competitions. This year, Derzhavin University scientists again won the competition for small individual research groups to carry out fundamental and exploratory research in 2025-2026.
Derzhavin University has once again confirmed its high reputation in the academic community. Two scientific journals of Derzhavin University have been included in the Scopus scientometric database: the Scientific Journal "Issues of Cognitive Linguistics" (Q2) and the Journal "Bulletin of Russian Universities. Mathematics" (Q2).
