Dr Helmut Schäfer
February 10, 2014
13.00 – 14.30
Beijing – 2 Auditorium, China cluster (Skolkovo School of Management)

SEMINAR ABSTRACT:

It is impossible today to imagine nanoscience away from modern materials science. Especially luminescent nanoparticles have been proposed for several applications. Above all the use of these nanoparticles for bioimaging experiments require high standards regarding
the size, size distribution, uniformity and optical properties. The observer gains the impression that in the last 5-7 years a race has kindled for the best nanoparticles mainly in terms of uniformity and size distribution between the research groups around the world.
Drawbacks of common approaches leading to particles fulfilling the high demands of contemporary applications are for example the emission of toxic gases, high reaction
temperatures and the need for the presence of highly pure inert gases which therefore limit the overall practicability of the procedures. While many struggling in the perfection of the solution-based syntheses, relatively less efforts were put in the development or further prosecution of alternative generation opportunities. One possible alternative approach leading to micro- and nanoparticles will be briefly introduced in the talk which can be roughly divided into two parts A and B. In part A I would like to describe the investigations I performed at different Universities and Institutes. This part contains fundamental research (main group chemistry), more application oriented surface engineering, (corrosion protection of alloys and surface modification of HTS superconductors) as well as generation and application of novel multifunctional nanoparticles like for instance luminescent, up-converting nanoparticles. In part B I will outline the planned scientific investigations on a three year scale.
SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:

Helmut Schäfer was born in 1968 in Leer, a small city situated in the North of Germany. He grew up as the fourth of four children in Detern, a small village not far away from Leer. In 1991 he joined the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany where he studied Chemistry and finished his studies with his dissertation on the field of Organic Germanium Compounds. The core result of his doctoral work was the generation and characterization of the first Hexaaryltetragermabuta-1,3-diene: A Molecule with Conjugated Ge-Ge Double Bonds. As a postdoctoral fellow, he moved to the Institute of Material Science (IWT) Bremen, German Aerospace Center Cologne, and to the University of Osnabrueck.
Since 2004 he has been a researcher in the group of Prof. Markus Haase and in 2009 he joined the group of Martin Steinhart at the same University. In 2013 he joined the Freie Universität Berlin where he is actually a Senior Scientist. His research interests are closely connected with materials science and include the investigation of alternative synthesis routes to known compounds as well as the synthesis of novel inorganic compounds with particular characteristics.

Dr Andrey Moiseev
February 6, 2014
12.00 – 13.30
Beijing – 1 Auditorium, China cluster (Skolkovo School of Management)

SEMINAR ABSTRACT:
Organic chemistry is a great tool to design and accomplish synthesis of new materials with interesting photophysical properties. Starting from simple porphyrin system and going towards extended porphyrins afford light absorbing units for complete solar spectrum coverage. Synthesis of porphyrin, benzoporphyrin and phthalocyanine derivatives was accomplished and different zinc porphyrinoid – naphthalene diimide (methyl viologen) dyads are proposed. Photoinduced charge separation followed by two electron transfer steps should lead to long lived charge separated states and as result good photovoltaic properties. Also highly soluble platinum benzoporphyrins were synthesized and found as efficient light absorbing materials with high phosphorescence quantum yields. Use of these benzoporphyrins in combination with perylene could greatly enhance light absorption properties of the resulted upconversion system (perylene triplet fission). Similar benzoporphyrin-acene (rubrene, pentacene) dyads were proposed as singlet fission materials. The goal of my research project is synthesis and properties studies of new light-interacting materials. Study of their properties with steady state and time-resolved spectroscopy (UV/vis, IR and EPR) would help to understand photophysical events at short time scale and use this valuable information for important practical applications.

SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:
Dr Andrey Moiseev got his chemical engineer degree at Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. He did his PhD in Photochemical Sciences at Center for Photochemical Studies, Bowling Green State University (USA).
Dr Moiseev’s postdoctoral studies were done at Brock University (Canada) and McMaster University (Canada). Also he was working as research associate/EPR facility manager at Chemistry Department, McGill University (Canada). Andrey’s research interests are artificial systems for harvesting solar light similar to that of natural photosynthesis, photophysics, photochemistry, materials chemistry, organic synthesis, time-resolved and laser spectroscopy. He would like to develop three research programs: organic photovoltaics, singlet fission and up-conversion materials.

Prof Chrissoleon Papadopoulos
February 3, 2014
11.00 – 12.30

São Paulo  Auditorium, Brazil cluster
Skolkovo School of Management

SEMINAR ABSTRACT:
The main themes of this presentation will be:
1. A brief classification of manufacturing systems
2. Stochastic Models of Manufacturing Systems
3. Throughput Analysis of Manufacturing Systems
3.1 Analysis of Exponential Reliable Production Lines using Kronecker Descriptors (Tensor Algebra)
3.2 Decomposition Analysis of Serial Flow Lines with Multiple Parallel-Machine Stations
4. Design Problems in Production Lines
4.1 Double and Triple Optimization
4.2 A DSS for the Buffer Allocation in Production Lines based on a Comparative Evaluation of a Set of Search Algorithms
5. S/W Toolbox, Current and Future Research: ASPASIA: The Thales project, Potential Applications, Joint Research Projects, Bibliography.
SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:
Professor in Quantitative Methods in Production, Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Director of the Graduate Program in “Management and Economics” of the Department of Economic Sciences, Division of Business Administration, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Chrissoleon Papadopoulos’ research covers the areas of manufacturing and supply chains: manufacturing systems engineering, stochastic modeling of manufacturing and service/logistics systems, and development of decision support systems to assist manufacturing and supply chain managers.
He has published over 35 journal papers (in international journals: International Journal of Production Research, Operations Research, Naval Research Logistics, European Journal of Operational Research, International Journal of Production Research, IIE Transactions, Computers and Industrial Engineering, Computers and Operations Research, Omega, International Transactions of Operational Research, Computers in Industry, among others), 2 books (published by Chapman & Hall, 1993 and Springer, 2009) and 2 edited books (published by Kluwer, 2003 and Springer, 2006) and a Chapter in a book published by Springer, 2013, in the area of Stochastic Modeling of Manufacturing and Service Operations (SMMSO) and many international and national Conference papers.
He is an invited member of the Editorial Board of the International journals: International Journal of Production Research (IJPR), Computers and Industrial Engineering (CIE), Decision Making in Manufacturing and Services, and he has served as a Department Editor of the IIE Transactions and other journals in Operations Management and Logistics/Supply Chain Management. He is Guest co-Editor in several Volumes/Special Issues in the area of SMMSO of the journal Annals of Operations Research (ANOR), one Volume of IIE Transactions and one Volume of OR Spectrum. Professor Papadopoulos is referee/reviewer of over 20 international journals in the area of SMMSO, Manufacturing, Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Decision Support Systems.

He has been the founding Organizer/Chair of the Series of International Conferences in the area of SMMSO and has organized the first five Conferences of this Series (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005) and the 30th Computers and Industrial Engineering (CIE) international Conference (2002).
He has supervised several Master and Ph.D. theses at various Universities (in Ireland and Greece) and has been teaching several courses and modules in Production/Operations Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operations Research, Probability and Statistics and Design Management at both under- (for 25 years) and post-graduate level (for over 15 years). Also, he has distance learning experience of 6 years with the Greek Open University.

Dr. Skvortsov Mikhail
January 31, 2014
12.00 – 13.30
Beijing – 1 Auditorium, China cluster (Skolkovo School of Management)

SEMINAR ABSTRACT:
Graphene is an atomically thin crystal with exceptional electrical properties that suggest new approaches to signal processing and computation. Inducing superconductivity in graphene, which intrinsically is a semi-metal, enables a unique combination of superconducting phase coherence and gate-tunability of graphene-based materials.
Several years ago Dr. Skvortsov pointed out that global phase coherence in graphene can be enforced by small superconducting islands dispersed over its area. Owing to a good contact between graphene and the islands, Cooper pairs readily penetrate into graphene and establish proximity-induced Josephson coupling between the islands. The superconducting gap and critical temperature in such a graphene-superconductor hybrid composite is controlled by the islands’ size and concentration. Importantly, the gap and critical temperature feature strong dependence on doping which is gate-tunable. At low temperatures the compound behaves as an inhomogeneous bulk superconductor. A magnetic field drives the system to a frustrated superconducting glass state. These predictions have been tested and verified in recent experiments employing a tin-graphene hybrid system.
He will also briefly discuss some other directions of he research that are relevant for modern superconducting device technologies, such as the interplay of superconductivity and disorder, nonequilibrium superconductivity, and Anderson localization in quantum wires.

SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:
Dr. Mikhail Skvortsov has got his master degree from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 1995. His further scientific career is closely related to the Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, where he started as a graduate student (PhD, 1998) and is working presently as a senior research scientist.
Scientific interests of Mikhail Skvortsov lie in the field of contemporary low-temperature condensed matter physics, with particular emphasis on quantum-coherent phenomena in complex systems in the presence of disorder, interaction and fluctuations. M. Skvortsov has an experience of teaching master-level classes for more than 10 years.

Prof Toropov Vassili
January 27, 2014
12.00 – 13.30
Beijing-1 Auditorium, China cluster (Skolkovo School of Management)

SEMINAR ABSTRACT:
The following features of hard industrial design optimization problems are not yet adequately addressed by the currently available optimization techniques:
• Large scale (~1000 design variables) optimization problems with expensive (several hours) response function evaluation
• Discrete optimization with even moderately expensive response functions
• Optimization with non-deterministic inputs and responses
• Issues of numerical noise and simulation failures
• Multidisciplinary optimization that includes some or all of the features above.

The presentation will discuss recent progress made by the presenter’s team towards addressing these issues with examples of recent industrial applications that include
• Topology optimization for preliminary design of a lattice composite fuselage
• Optimization of composite wing panels
• Turbomachinery applications
• Optimization and stochastic analysis of a landing system for the European Space Agency ExoMars mission.
SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:
Vassili Toropov, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, is a leader of the Aerospace Engineering programme and the Modelling and Simulation Research Centre at Queen Mary, University of London in the UK. Before that he was leading the Aerospace programme at the University of Leeds for seven years and spent three years at Altair Engineering being engaged in development of techniques and software for metamodelling, design optimization and stochastic analysis as well as applying his expertise to industrial problems for aerospace, automotive, offshore and other industries. Prior to that he had an academic career with appointments in Russia, Denmark, The Netherlands, Japan and for the last 21 years in the UK.

Prof Toropov has published over 250 research papers and his interests include development of techniques for metamodelling, stochastic problems, evolutionary optimization, composite optimization, industrial applications.

His recent and current research projects are funded by Rolls-Royce, Airbus, EADS Innovation Works, Parker Hannifin, Jaguar Land Rover and the European Commission ranging from optimization of aerospace structures to optimum flow and thermal management.

Vassili is a chartered aerospace engineer, Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Chairman of the Association for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization in the UK; Executive Committee member of the International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, a member of the AIAA Multidisciplinary Optimization and Non-Deterministic Approaches Technical Committees and a co-editor of the Springer’s Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization journal.

Dr Alexander Medvinsky

January 24, 2014
12.00 – 13.30
Beijing – 1 Auditorium, China cluster (Skolkovo School of Management)

SEMINAR ABSTRACT:
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) lie at the foundation of the adult hematopoietic system and provide an organism throughout its life with all blood cell types. Several tissues demonstrate hematopoietic activity at early stages of embryonic development, but which tissue is the primary source of HSCs and what are the early embryonic precursors of definitive HSCs? I shall review recent advances in the field of HSC research that have shed light on such questions while setting them into a historical context. To understand HSC development we extensively use in vitro experimental modelling. Our recent work led us to understanding of the hierarchical organization of the developing adult haematopoietic system. Based on analysis of mouse models we have identified the localisation of the first HSCs in the human embryo. Our study reveals that the first human HSCs possess an unprecedented self-renewal capacity. A better understanding of embryonic development of human HSCs may be instrumental for creating clinically relevant protocols for the production of HSCs from human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells.

SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:
Prof. Alexander Medvinsky (http://www.crm.ed.ac.uk/research/group/ontogeny-haematopoietic-stem-cells) graduated from Moscow State University and obtained his PhD in the National Centre for Oncology, Moscow in 1987. In 1985 he joined the National Centre for Haematology, Moscow and there became interested in the development of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). He and colleagues identified a novel potent source of definitive haematopoietic activity inside the body of the embryo, now termed the AGM region. In 1993 he moved to the National Institute for Medical Research, London where he described important functional properties of the AGM region. In 1997 he established his research group in the Institute for Stem Cell Research and became an MRC Senior Fellow. In 2006 he was appointed Professor in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Biology and since June 2012, he acts as Head of the Institute for Stem Cell Research. The main focus of the Medvinsky laboratory “Ontogeny of Haematopoietic Stem Cells” is in understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of definitive HSCs. Dr Medvinsky is the leader for the “Haematopoietic Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration” theme in the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

Prof Albert G Nasibulin
January 20, 2014
13.00 – 14.30
Beijing – 1 Auditorium, China cluster (Skolkovo School of Management)

SEMINAR ABSTRACT:
Among different routes to synthesize single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), an aerosol CVD method is one of the most promising. This method allows growing high quality and clean SWCNTs with certain diameters and lengths. SWCNTs can be easily deposited onto practically any substrate, including temperature non-tolerant polymers, so that time-consuming steps of nanotube purification from the catalyst and support, dispersion and deposition processes are avoided. Supplementary advantages of the aerosol method are possibilities to on-line control of the CNT quality and separate individual and bundled SWCNTs. This continuous aerosol CVD process is one of the most promising and powerful methods for the high-yield synthesis at controlled conditions. This paper reviews the latest results obtained by two different aerosol synthesis methods elaborated in our group. In the first method, catalyst particles were produced by evaporating catalyst material from resistively heated Fe wire (a hot wire generator, HWG method). The second method is based on ferrocene vapor decomposition in carbon monoxide atmosphere.
We report the investigations of the mechanism of single-walled carbon nanotube formation and charging of SWCNTs in the gas phase due to the bundling process. Direct integration of the SWCNTs produced by the aerosol methods into different applications, especially for high-performance flexible electronics, is discussed. Produced SWCNT/polyethylene composite films have exhibited excellent optical and electrical properties as well as high mechanical flexibility. It was found that the electrical conductivity of the SWCNT films could be significantly improved by ethanol densification and chemical doping. SWCNT/polyethylene thin films demonstrated excellent cold electron field emission properties. We have fabricated state-of-the-art key components from the same single component multifunctional SWNT material for several high-impact application areas: high efficiency nanoparticle filters, transparent and conductive electrodes, electrochemical sensors with extremely low detection limits, and polymer-free saturable absorbers for ultrafast femtosecond lasers.
SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:
Dr. Sc. Albert G. Nasibulin is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Applied Physics of Aalto University School of Science (former Helsinki University of Technology) and Academy Research Fellow (term 2006-2011). He got his PhD in Physical Chemistry (1996) at Kemerovo State University (Russia) and Doctor of Science (Habilitation, 2011) at Saint-Petersburg Technical State University (Russia).

He has specialized in the synthesis of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and nanofibers and tetrapods), investigation of their growth mechanism and potential applications. His main recent research is devoted to transparent, flexible and conductive SWCNT films. He has a successful background in an academic research with 160 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 13 patents.

On the 7-8th of December 2013, the seminar ‘Skoltech: BUILDING EXPERT COMMUNITY’ was held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

The seminar was attended by representatives of the Russian-speaking scientific community abroad, and in the first place, representatives from Skoltech priority research investments: biomedicine, energy, and information technologies. In total, approximately 35 professors and researchers from the USA, Great Britain, Ireland and Japan participated in the event.

Among the speakers were the representatives of Skoltech leadership and MIT Skoltech Initiative: Edward Crawley, Skoltech President; Mikhail Myagkov, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mats Hanson, Dean of Education; Raj Rajagopalan, Vice-President for Faculty Affairs & Dean of Faculty; Jerome Smith, Co-Director of MIT Venture Mentoring Service and others.

The seminar organizers aimed to disseminate and discuss information about opportunities for Russian scientific diaspora engagement with Skoltech as well as begin creating an expert community in Skoltech priority areas.

Mikhail Myagkov, Vice President for academic affairs, addressed the audience with the general presentation on Skoltech. He introduced Skoltech concept, goals and core areas.

‘A modern university can’t remain efficient, if isolated. Integration with the international scientific community forms an important part of the Skoltech concept’, – highlighted Myagkov.

Edward Crawley, Skoltech President, gave a speech on what had been achieved so far within the framework of the University development in core areas. The audience learned about the principles on which the educational and the research processes in Skoltech were organized, about establishing connection between science and production, and on the innovative entrepreneurship development. In particular, the President focused on the activities of two CREIs, which had already started their work: the Center for stem cell research and the Center for Advanced Structure, Processes and Engineered Materials.

‘International practices prove the powerful impact and evident success drive of diaspora support of universities especially at the initial stages of development’, – noted Edward Crawley and named specifically the examples of Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and Postech.

Mats Hanson, Dean of Education, and Raj Rajagopalan, Dean of Faculty, told about Skoltech educational programs and faculty recruitment. ‘Formation of the international expert community of professors around Skoltech is one of our most critical strategic tasks, – stressed Mats Hanson. – To resolve it we significantly count on representatives of the Russian scientific diaspora as one the most loyal and cooperation-motivated part of the global scientific community’.

Christian Prothmann, Director of Research, Skoltech/ MIT Initiative overviewed Research process and key development milestones.

Jerome Smith from MIT focused on the support program for the University innovation projects – Venture Mentoring Service, implemented at MIT. In the near future Skoltech Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center plans to launch an analog of this program.

The audience had the opportunity to ask questions to Skoltech and MIT Skoltech Initiative representatives, as well as participate in some sessions to discuss educational programs, strategies of faculty recruitment. The participants expressed their recommendations and ideas on the ways of cooperation between the Institute and foreign Russian-speaking scientists.

At the end of the seminar the audience expressed their enthusiasm and readiness for active cooperation.