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Nikolay ZhavoronkovSoviet scientist in the field of inorganic chemistry and chemical technology
Date of Birth: 07.08.1907
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Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Academic and Professional Career
- Leadership and Management:
- Isotope Separation:
- Recognition and Legacy
- Scientific Publications:
Early Life and Education
Nikolai Mikhailovich Zhavoronkov, a renowned Soviet scientist in inorganic chemistry and chemical technology, was born on July 25 (August 7), 1907, in Streletskie Vyselki village, Ryazan province, Russia. After completing his primary education at Makovskaya rural school in 1918, he went on to pursue higher education, graduating from the Moscow Chemical-Technological Institute named after D. I. Mendeleev in 1930.
Academic and Professional Career
Research and Development:Zhavoronkov began his scientific journey exploring hydrogen and nitrogen-hydrogen mixture production processes. He also studied the purification of these gases to produce synthetic ammonia. Later, his research shifted towards the separation of liquid and gaseous mixtures using techniques like absorption, rectification, molecular distillation, and chemical exchange.
Leadership and Management:
Zhavoronkov played a pivotal role in scientific institutions. In 1944, he became the first deputy director of the L. Ya. Karpov Physicochemical Institute, where he established a laboratory for mixture separation and led it until 1948. Following the passing of A. N. Bakh, he became the director of the same institute until 1948. As its director, he initiated significant reforms to align the institute's research activities with the needs of the national economy and defense.
From 1948 to 1962, Zhavoronkov served as the rector of the D. I. Mendeleev Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology. In 1953, he was elected a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
Isotope Separation:
Zhavoronkov's contributions to isotope separation are particularly noteworthy. Together with his colleagues, he conducted extensive research on stable isotope concentration processes. Their work led to the development of methods for separating isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, boron, and other light elements.
Recognition and Legacy
Honors and Awards:Zhavoronkov's exceptional achievements were recognized with numerous awards. From 1962 to 1988, he served as the director of the N. S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1962, he was elected an academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences and a member of its Presidium. From 1963 onwards, he served as the academician-secretary of the USSR Academy of Sciences' Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Inorganic Materials.
Zhavoronkov also received honorary doctorates from four foreign academies of sciences and several universities.
Scientific Publications:
Nikolai Mikhailovich Zhavoronkov left behind a remarkable legacy of scientific publications. He authored approximately 500 research papers, over 100 scientific and popular articles, and numerous other publications. His work has been widely applied in various industries.
Zhavoronkov passed away on August 5, 1990, in Moscow, leaving an enduring impact on the field of inorganic chemistry and chemical technology.
