Alexander Sheyndlin Scientist, academician, Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of the Lenin and State Prizes Date of Birth: 04.09.1916 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Early Career
3. Wartime Service
4. Academic Career
5. Collaboration with Vladimir Kirillin
6. Leadership at IVTAN
7. Opinions on the Russian Academy of Sciences
8. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Alexander Efimovich Sheindlin (1914-2021) was a prominent Soviet and Russian physicist and academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). After graduating with honors from the Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MEI) in 1937, he was recommended for postgraduate studies. However, the arrest of his mentor, renowned turbine specialist Professor Zhiritsky, prevented his enrollment in the program.

Early Career

Sheindlin subsequently joined a closed factory under the Ministry of Shipbuilding Industry, where he worked on the development of new engines for submarines. After two years, he was finally admitted to the postgraduate program at MEI, specializing in steam turbines under the guidance of Professor Andrei Vladimirovich Shcheglyaev. To supplement his income, he also worked as an assistant at MEI and a senior researcher at the Krzhizhanovsky Energy Institute.

Wartime Service

In July 1941, Sheindlin enlisted as a volunteer in the NKVD's Special Purpose Airborne Brigade. He fought alongside literary figures such as poets Semyon Gudzenko and Yuri Levitansky. His military service ended on December 31, 1945, and he returned to work at MEI.

Academic Career

Sheindlin defended his doctoral dissertation in 1953, and in 1960, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Institute of High Temperatures (IVTAN), where he served as director. Under his leadership, IVTAN became a leading research center in the fields of heat physics, including magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and high-intensity energy sources.

Collaboration with Vladimir Kirillin

Sheindlin worked closely with Vladimir Alekseyevich Kirillin, who later became the head of the Science Department of the CPSU Central Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. Together, they established the Department of Engineering Thermophysics at MEI and initiated research on high-temperature phenomena.

Leadership at IVTAN

As director of IVTAN, Sheindlin oversaw the development of the institute's research capabilities, including the construction of state-of-the-art facilities. He also emphasized the importance of attracting and supporting young researchers, proposing a special doctoral program to encourage young talent to pursue scientific careers.

Opinions on the Russian Academy of Sciences

Towards the end of his life, Sheindlin expressed concerns about the decline in funding and membership in the Russian Academy of Sciences. He believed that the sharp increase in academicians and corresponding members had devalued the status of the organization and led to the inclusion of individuals who did not meet the required standards of excellence.

Legacy

Alexander Sheindlin left a lasting legacy as a brilliant physicist, visionary leader, and advocate for young scientists. His contributions to heat physics, particularly in the field of MHD, continue to shape scientific research and technological advancements worldwide.