The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is the only academic institution in the Mykolaiv region and the only specialized institution in Ukraine that is engaged in the development of the theory of pulsed energy conversion processes, the creation of high-density pulsed energy sources and their control systems, and research into the pulsed action of high-intensity energy flows on multiphase media, various materials and structures. The institute also conducts research and development work on the creation and implementation of highly efficient environmentally friendly, energy- and resource-saving pulsed technologies and high-voltage power equipment at domestic and foreign enterprises.
Founding (1959–1962)
The history of the institute began in 1959, when, on the initiative of young enthusiasts and with the support of the Mykolaiv city authorities, a collective laboratory was created to study a new phenomenon at that time - high-voltage electric discharge in water and the processes accompanying it. Leningrad engineer L. Yutkin called this phenomenon the electrohydraulic effect.
Trial experiments showed the wide technological possibilities of underwater electric discharge: destruction and grinding of strong non-metallic materials, giving metal blanks the desired shape, changing the structure and properties of liquids. The first technical embodiment was the Molniya-1 installation for flaring pipes in the grilles of heat exchangers, tested in industrial conditions in 1962.
On December 3, 1962, by Order of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR No. 2029-r, a self-supporting Electrohydraulic Design Bureau (PKBE) was established on the basis of the laboratory with a staff of 25 employees. The first director was appointed Oleksandr Petrovych Sorochynsky.
The early years: technology and growth (1962–1969)
In 1964, the first experimental and industrial installation "Iskra-1" for electrohydraulic core knocking out and casting cleaning was introduced and tested at the Black Sea Shipbuilding Plant. Already in 1965, the improved installation "Iskra-2" was launched into serial production. In the same year, the first Republican seminar "Theory and Experience of Applying the Electrohydraulic Effect in Technological Production Processes" was held, and the employees of the PKBE received the first author's certificate for the invention.
In 1966, the first universal pulse current generator "GIT-1" was developed. In 1966, the Mykolaiv Tool and Equipment Plant was transferred to the jurisdiction of PKBE, renamed the PKBE Experimental Plant, which began serial production of electro-hydraulic devices and high-voltage equipment.
Director G.O. Gulyi and the scientific breakthrough (1969–1989)
In 1969, the PKBE headed Grigoriy Afanasovich Gulyy. Under his leadership, large-scale studies of the electrical, energy and hydrodynamic characteristics of high-voltage discharges were launched, the study of electroexplosive energy conversion, and the expansion of the range of pulsed sources. In 1971, research in the field of seismoacoustics was initiated, and unique hydroacoustic emitters were created; the research vessel "Aleut" was used for marine expeditions, later - "Hypanis".
By the Resolution of the Government of the Ukrainian SSR No. 117 of 07.03.1972, the PKBE was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. In 1973, Academician B.E. Paton personally visited the PKBE and pointed out the need to deepen fundamental research. Since then, the theory of electric discharge processes, materials science knowledge have been developed, the laws of electric discharge in low-conductivity and conductive liquids, and the laws of electric explosion of conductors have been studied.
Technologies for electric discharge treatment of oil and water wells, non-furnace treatment of liquid steel, destruction of reinforced concrete structures, reduction of residual stresses in welded joints, thin-sheet stamping, disinfection of drinking water, etc. appeared. PKBE developments were awarded diplomas and medals of international exhibitions, the prize of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the State Prize of the Ukrainian SSR, and the Certificate of Honor of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR. The Experimental Production of PKBE has been operating since 1977.
Transformation into an Institute (1989–1991)
In 1989, the team was led by Oleksandr Ivanovych Vovchenko. Thanks to large-scale scientific research, the importance of scientific results, the training of highly qualified personnel and the enthusiasm of Director Vovchenko, in 1991 PKBE was transformed into Institute of Pulse Processes and Technologies of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR.
Modern directions of scientific activity
- Research into the pulsed effects of high-intensity energy flows on multiphase media, materials and structures; creation of new technologies
- Development of the theory of pulsed energy conversion processes, high-density pulsed energy sources and their control systems
- Electric discharge synthesis of nanostructured materials (hydrogen sorbents, antifriction additives, nanocarbon with ferromagnetic properties)
- Improving the filtration properties of porous materials by electrical discharge treatment
- Impulse plastic deformation of difficult-to-deform aluminum alloys (partnership with Ford Motors)
- Destruction of bottom soils for port dredging (strength up to 40 MPa, productivity 3–5 m³/h)
- Cleaning of underwater marine objects from biological fouling (up to 200 m²/h)
- Production of water-coal fuel with 99% combustion completeness
- Electrical discharge disintegration of silicon and enrichment of polymetallic ore tailings
- Development of a new generation of pulse capacitors with specific performance twice as high as previous ones
- New power sources up to 10 kHz / 150 kV for gas purification of industrial emissions
Achievements over 50 years
- ~570 research and development works completed
- Over 1,000 electro-hydraulic devices operate at enterprises in the CIS, Japan, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, India, China, Cuba, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, and Korea.
- 31 monographs, 34 collections of scientific works, 32 preprints, 5000 articles in leading publications
- 1425 copyright certificates of the USSR, 240 patents of Ukraine, 121 patents of foreign countries
- 14 doctoral and 82 candidate theses
- Department of "Pulse Processes and Technologies" (Adm. Makarov National University) - over 280 bachelors, specialists, masters since 1994.
- Scientific School "Physics of Pulsed Discharges in Condensed Media" (since 1982)
- Postgraduate studies in the specialty "Physical and technical processing processes" (since 2007)
- International conferences "Physics of pulsed discharges in condensed media" and "Impulse processes in the mechanics of continuum media" - every two years
Institute directors
- Sorochynskyi Oleksandr Petrovych — first director (1962–1969), founder of the scientific school, Ph.D.
- Gulyi Hryhoriy Afanasovich — Director (1969–1989), Doctor of Engineering, Professor, Honored Mechanical Engineer of Ukraine
- Vovchenko Oleksandr Ivanovych — Director (since 1989), Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine