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Herman Platonovich Vyatkin
Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Professor, Doctor of Chemistry
SUSU President
Having graduated from Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute, Herman Platonovich Vyatkin started working at Chelyabinsk metallurgical Plant. He then worked at the Research Institute of Metallurgy. In 1967, he started working at Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute. He held the position of the Rector from 1985 to 2005. During that time, Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute became the largest educational Institution in Russia and changed its name to South Ural State University (SUSU). In 2005, about 50,000 students were studying at SUSU at 35 University Faculties. At that time, SUSU offered more than 130 education programs. During that period, the number of books in SUSU Library has dramatically increased - more than 2 million. The electronic literature catalogue was created at the University. Modern information technologies were being actively implemented into the educational process. At the University, 72 computer laboratories and 2 computer centers were opened, which had more than 2,500 computers.
Due to the market transformation in Russia, the University faced problems of preparing specialists competent in producing competitive products and establishing business relations in the global economy. To set up to the challenges Prof Vyatkin intensified the University learning of foreign languages, global economy, modern economic theories and mathematics. New Faculties were created at the University: Economics and Management; Economics and Law; Applied Mathematics and Physics; Psychology; Physical Education and Sports; Commerce; Services and Light Industry; Architecture and construction; and Military Training. The Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics later developed into natural science Faculties for physics, mathematics and mechanics and chemistry.
In 1992, Prof Vyatkin created a University development program The Development of Scientific and Methodological Foundations and Creation of System of Technical Education in Russia. The program implementation took 10 years. Professor Vyatkin received the President of the Russian Federation award and the Order of Friendship of Peoples for the program.
Prof Vyatkin studies the development of physical and chemical foundations of metallurgical processes. His main research areas are:
- the study of the kinetics of evaporation and exchange interaction between the components of oxide-fluoride systems containing light constituents (the basis for many metallurgical slags and welding fluxes);
- the research on the kinetic properties of Fe-P-C system melts with high content of non-metallic components (unique iron);
- the study of the processes of thermal spray oxidation of steel for creating protective coatings and improving properties of products;
- improving design and choice of modes of melting plasmatrons to increase their reliability and performance.
The contemporary stage of metallurgical technology development required more detailed and microscopic data on structure and dynamics of metallurgical systems. Under Prof Vyatkin’s supervision the University started the research in the fields of nuclear physics and mass spectrometry. At the same time, attention was paid to improving the accuracy and efficiency of testing of the macroscopic properties such as thermodynamic (surface tension, adhesion, density) and kinetic (viscosity, electrical conductivity, thermopower, etc.). In particular, research into liquid vaporization from free surface led to the development of new investigation techniques for the kinetics of evaporation.
Since 1983, the research into this field has been included in the work plan of the USSR Institute of Metallurgy. In collaboration with the Institute, Prof Vyatkin established the University Academic Laboratory for Metallic and Slag Melts to teach the highly demanded specialists of the field. The main research directions were:
- The study of physical and chemical processes of the interaction between oxide alumina melts and iron saturated with carbon;
- The study of the interaction between plasmatrones arcs under conditions of plasma-arc furnace;
- The method of high temperature steel oxidation.
A new technology of metal product oxidation turned highly efficient and easy to implement in comparison with the existent alternatives. This technology was protected by 6 copyright certificates and successfully passed the industrial tests.
As a corresponding member of RAS, Prof Vyatkin has outstanding achievements. He is the author of over 250 research and education works including his 5 monographs. He has supervised 12 doctoral and over 20 PhD dissertations. He is the Chief Editor and a Member of the Editorial Board of several scientific journals.
He is a member of the RAS Presidium Ural Branch and an academician of the International Academy of Higher School. Prof Vyatkin has been a member of the Interdepartmental Commission on Science and Technology Policy under the Government of the Russian Federation; Chairman of Rectors’ Council in Chelyabinsk Region; Vice-President of the Union of Rectors of the Russian Federation; a member of the Interdepartmental Coordination Councils of UB RAS; and a member of the Board of Directors of Industrial Enterprises in Chelyabinsk Region.
