Since 2021 SUSU had been taking a part in the Priority–2030 Programme. The goal of the federal academic leadership program Priority 2030 is to form a large group of universities that will become the leaders in creating new scientific knowledge, technology, and developments for introduction into the economy and social sphere in Russia.
Within the framework of the program, SUSU implements three strategic projects that are essential to the development of the region and the country. One of them – The New Non-conventional Materials strategic project is represented by two subprojects, one of which is the established interdisciplinary team of scientific schools on high-entropy materials lead by E. Trofimov.
In the project of Eugene Trofimov «Materials with multi-component base» (high entropy materials) takes an active part Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering (Physical and Mechanical Properties of Nanostructured Materials Dr. Majid Naseri. Foreign scientist came to South Ural from Iran. The field of scientific interests of Dr. Majid Naseri is closely related severe plastic deformation (SPD) process.
During the interview Majid tell us about the desigion to become a scientist, about the field of scientific interests nowadays, about his important role in the project of Eugene Trofimov «Materials with multi-component base» (high entropy materials) and about his life in Russia.
Chapter 1. Science
Where are you from? Could you tell us about your hometown?
My name is Dr. Majid Naseri. I’m 36 years old. I’m from Iran, and my hometown is Golestan Province, Gorgan City. The Golestan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, located in the north-east of the country, south of the Caspian Sea, and its capital is Gorgan. The region is such a charming destination – both naturally and culturally—that it can keep you busy for weeks. In addition, the region has a very rich history and was one of the most important cities of ancient Persia on the Silk Road.
What inspired you to become a scientist?
I have a PhD. in Materials Science and Engineering (Physical and Mechanical Properties of Nanostructured Materials, 2018) from Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. And since the beginning of September 2022, I have been working as a Senior Research Scientist at SUSU. I can say that my interest in extending and developing Materials Science and Engineering started with the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) course.
What led you to make the decision to come to Russia and live in Chelyabinsk?
Answer: After graduating with a PhD, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Nanotechnology, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran, from September 2018 to February 2022. Also, I was working at the Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul, South Korea, as a postdoctoral researcher until 2021. My Prof. Lab was retired in February 2021, and I was go back to Iran to finish my research projects at Semnan University, Semnan, Iran. Since the beginning of 2022, I’ve decided to come to Russia because I dreamed about continuing research in the largest country in the world with forbidding winters. Russia was a perfect place, as this country is welcoming to everybody. I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn how Russian people live.
How did your career in science begin?
I completed my Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) course at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Isfahan, Iran (2007–2012). Having a historical, cultural, and civilizational background, Isfahan city is considered one of the scientific, cultural, and historical centers of the country. IUT has, due to its vast environment and unique facilities, made itself an important place among the country’s universities. To be honest, my scientific activities began there.
Please tell us, where your path in science started? What motivated you to dedicate your life to chemistry?
My scientific activities about Materials Science and Engineering began from the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) course at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Isfahan, Iran (2007–2012). Also, I was an expert in chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses during high school. It should be noted that the materials science is a multi-disciplinary field that involves the creation and manufacture of new materials with specific desired properties. On the other hand, materials science sits at the boundary between engineering and the natural sciences. Thus, a typical materials science curriculum emphasizes math, chemistry, and physics. To be honest, if time goes back to high school, I will still choose Materials Science and Engineering course.
Did the research theme at SUSU play a significant role in attracting you to the position?
SUSU has one of the best structures for scientific activity in the Russian Federation and the basis for the development of scientific directions for schools and institutes. The university is at the forefront of science, and SUSU scientists are publishing significant data in many journals. For this reason, I contacted the International Relations Department and Prof. Eugene Trofimov (Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry of Materials); after that, the university invited me to the full-time position of Senior Research Scientist at the Research Laboratory of High-Entropy Materials. Since that date, I have tried my best to do something good and unique for the Research Laboratory where I work and, consequently, for the SUSU on an educational and research level.
Who of the SUSU’s scientists is developing this field?
Prof. Evgeny Trofimov, Prof. Nataliya Shaburova, and Prof. Marina Samodurova
What is your sphere of expertise today?
Bulk Nanostructured Metals (BNM), High-Entropy Alloys (HEAs), Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD), Materials Characterization, Crystallographic Texture
What is your role in Eugene Trofimov’s research project?
Prof. Trofimov has experience performing R&D works, including those carried out with the support of RSF and other foundations sponsoring and supporting research studies. He is one of the best of SUSU’s scientists in the HEAs field! With his suggestion, I’m working on the fabrication and characterization of nanostructured high-entropy alloys (NsHEAs) by severe plastic deformation (SPD) process. For the past two years, I have been working on two projects successfully.
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First Project
1. Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
Title: Nanostructured high-entropy alloys for industrial and transportation applications
SUSU, Russia, 2023-2024. Contract № 075-15-2023-614 с.
Second Project
2. Russian Science Foundation (RSF)
Title: Achievement and research of low-cost nanostructured high-entropy alloys through severe plastic deformation process
Project Number: 24-29-00740
How would you describe the main objective of your research to someone without a scientific background?
High-entropy alloys (HEAs), a novel alloying concept in physical metallurgy, contain at least four or five principal elements. Compared to conventional alloys, HEAs have high configurational entropy, which tends to stabilize the solid solution formation. HEAs have already attracted lots of new ideas to explore the enormous compositional space provided by them because of their potential in structural and functional applications. Therefore, the main challenge that HEAs are currently facing is associated with effective alloy design, which can provide information to choose suitable constituent elements, resulting in the desired phase constitution and microstructure and, in the end, optimum properties. It is noteworthy that the current composition design strategy for HEAs usually results in alloys with a high content of expensive metals (e.g., Co, Ta, Hf, V, Nb, W, and Mo). For instance, HEAs usually contain a Co element, which is common in most of the HEAs. Obviously, using expensive elements increases the overall cost of HEAs. On the other hand, HEAs usually exhibit comprehensive properties due to their combined effects of multi-principal elements, which makes them suitable for applications in extreme environments. Thus, the development of cost-effective HEAs with comprehensive properties is critical to promoting industrial applications of HEAs related to the production and use of materials in the Russian Federation.
Do you enjoy working at SUSU? What advantages do you see in working here?
Yes. It should be noted that the SUSU is a National Research University and the project «Priority 2030» (track «Exploratory Leadership») participant. Also, modern laboratories and analytical and technological equipment available at SUSU are advantages for working here.
Do you have any plans for joint publications related to the project?
Yes. Good joint publications with Iran, China, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom will be published soon. And I have 50 publications in my CV so far. These publications are the result of 10 years of research in the field of materials science and engineering.
How do you see your future in science?
Very good question. Actually, I have tried my best to do something good and unique for the Research Laboratory where I work and, consequently, for the SUSU on an educational and research level. As a scientist, my goal is to understand the natural world through systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis. I aim to contribute to the body of scientific knowledge and make advancements in my field of study. Also, I’m trying to get a university position, and I’m sure that day is not far away.