New winners of Presidential Grants of the Russian Science Foundation announced

The lists were published last week.

This time, Russian Science Foundation supported 26 projects from Kazan Federal University: 13 initiatives, 10 youth science groups, and 3 continuing projects.

The following are the topics of the initiative projects (each to receive 2 million rubles a year):

Time variable metamaterials for analog optical computing and information processing applications;

Study of the physical foundations of the functioning of luminescent temperature sensors based on nano- and microparticles of fluorides activated by ions of rare earth elements (Tm3+/Yb3+, Eu3+/Tb3+, Pr3+/Yb3+, Nd3+/Yb3+) in order to obtain sensors with maximum characteristics;

Investigation of impurity- or morphology-induced modification of the macroscopic properties of strontium titanate single crystals and the potential for their use in strain gauges;

Catalytic conversion of high molecular weight components of heavy oils at the production stage, providing an increase in the oil recovery factor and conservation of heavy metals and radionuclides in the reservoir system;

Pillar[5]arene/meroterpenoid systems for transdermal transport of drugs in the treatment of skin diseases;

Development of methods for predicting the physicochemical properties of compounds in eco-relevant solvents required for industrial synthesis and extraction;

Development of a kinetic model based on the fractionation of heavy oil asphaltenes to assess the mechanism of the aquathermolysis process;

Kinetic studies of the conversion of resins isolated from heavy oil during hydrothermal upgrading in non-catalytic and catalytic aquathermolysis processes;

Catalytic oxidation of heavy oils in the presence of transition metal nanoparticles;

Synthetic cryogels activated by oligopeptides for the regeneration of nerve fibers;

Morganella morganii RTX toxin: features of biosynthesis and cytotoxic potential;

Cellular mechanisms of the stimulating effect of motor training on axon regeneration in spinal cord injury;

Ionic compounds as promising materials for controlling the formation of gas hydrates.

The competition for youth science teams is aimed at PhD and DSc degree holders under 35 years of age. The grant funding is up to 6 million rubles a year for 3 years, with a possible prolongation for 2 more years.

Among the winners for this pitch season are:

Creation of a complex digital model of selenographic navigation support for the LNSS circumlunar satellite system based on data from modern space missions, a high-precision theory of lunar dynamics, a synthetic method for robust estimation of heterogeneous observations and the use of a complex of quantum-optical and satellite on-board optical tools;

Разработка, исследование и применение гибких сверхпроводящих композитов на основе диборида магния для токонесущих элементов нового поколения;

Multifunctional materials for targeted modification of industrially produced thermoplastics;

Multifunctional materials for targeted modification of industrially produced thermoplastics;

Supramolecular gels based on “pillararen/protease” systems – a new type of controlled matrices for targeted therapy of malignant skin tumors;

NKG2D CAR-T cells in combination with p53 activators – a new approach to the treatment of solid tumors;

Transcriptome of single tumor cells as a tool for identifying the tissue affiliation of tumors of undetected primary localization;

A chronological model of the late Paleozoic evolution of the Kuznetsk basin continental biota based on unique collections of flora and fauna and new radiometric dating data;

Evaluation of the activity of the beaver as a regulator of the runoff of water, sediment and pollutants in small rivers in the east of the European territory of Russia;

Energy-efficient movement in liquids using elastic oscillatory propulsors.

Finally, 3 projects received prolongation funding:

Numerical and experimental study of low-pressure high-frequency plasma for surface modification of functional materials;

Features of non-covalent interactions of anticancer drugs, transport systems, proteins, RNA and their models. Thermal, structural and thermophysical parameters of the interaction of biomolecules;

New generation of electrochemically active materials for (bio)sensors for medical diagnostics based on polyfunctional macrocycles, phenothiazine derivatives and biomolecules.