This year Belarusian Science Day is celebrated in a big way. A Belarusian flag was even hoisted in Antarctica to mark the holiday. An exhibition was arranged in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus to showcase over 500 best R&D products from all over the country. BelTA reporters took a close look at what Belarusian researchers have accomplished and what surprises one may look forward to in the Year of Science.
Visitors of the exhibition were made familiar with the latest accomplishments of Belarusian scientists. The number included models of Belarusian unmanned aerial vehicles made by the enterprise R&D Center for Multifunctional Unmanned Complexes of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. They sell well in Belarus and abroad.
Belarusian scientists always stay in touch with Russian R&D companies. For instance, OAO Integral and OAO Planar together with the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus presented equipment designed to make microchips. “These microchips represent unique dual-purpose products. By design they are shielded from electromagnetic fields and radiation thanks to unique coatings developed by the R&D Center for Material Sciences. We've come up with a triple-layer protection mechanism that can protect the microchip from any and all aggressive fields,” said Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Sergei Chizhik.
Nanoindustry products were on display as well. Visitors could have a look at the prototype of an energy storage system with an extremely high capacity that will be used in the upcoming Belarusian electric car. “Nanotechnologies are well represented here. I can mention nanotech fertilizers, membranes, polishing technologies. Can you see how drops of water roll off the polished surface? The smoothness of the surface is measured in atoms,” said Sergei Chizhik.
Young researchers and even adolescent researchers actively explore 3D technologies in Belarus. For instance, Vladislav Gorbach, a student of gymnasium No.6, designed a unique 3D printer made of school desks during handicraft lessons. The young developer made a name for himself during the contest 100 Ideas for Belarus in 2016.
“We have already tested the first 3D printing options using metal, powder, and ceramics. Today we also demonstrate capabilities of our polymeric printing technology that uses our proprietary polymeric materials,” said Sergei Chizhik. “Surgical operations can be modelled using new technologies. For instance, here is the knee joint of a 17-year-old girl. It's been displaced. An x-ray image is not enough for planning the surgery correctly. We've been asked to make such a joint. The joint has been operated on for practice purposes and then the real surgery followed.”
Tempting apples and pears of winter varieties delighted the eye. Young Belarusian scientists have helped create them. They are adjusted to Belarusian conditions and are resistant to diseases.
Tatiana Pilipchuk is a young scientist, too. She is a research officer at the Microbiology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. She has developed a biopesticide to protect vegetables from bacterial diseases. The biopesticide is based on bacterial viruses that attack the bacteria without harming the environment and the crops, she explained.
Visitors were also able to see a model of the Belarusian Antarctic station and listen to tales about the life of Belarusian polar explorers.
The Year of Science promises to be really interesting and to bring a lot of new revelations. By the way, this year scientists intend to present the prototype of a Belarusian electric car.
