Published on: 2026-04-30
Source: Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University of Peter the Great –
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We begin to tell about the team of “Priority 2030.” And our cycle is opened by the project “Development of glass shaping technologies of SHALINZA” under the leadership of the director of the Research and Education Center “Nanotechnology and Coatings” Alexander Semenchy.
Glass was dealt with in Politex several decades ago. The problem was that the developed compositions did not reach the final device and did not go into production. The team of the project “Development of glass molding technology SHALINZA” set themselves the goal — to find an application for a specific type of glass, if necessary, chemically modifying its composition so that it would be useful in a particular device. To make a lens from glass, a technology is needed to transform a cast into an optical product.Classical glassmaking — grinding, polishing, turning — is slow, harmful, and economically unprofitable. It turned out that the whole modern world uses new glass processing technologies — casting or pressing. That’s when Aleksandra Semenchy had the idea for the project — to create her own presses and invent a blank mold. That’s how the work began.
The team was recruited from students. At first, they were given topics of diploma projects, and each person performed some element of the overall work: robotics engineers designed the equipment, programmers wrote programs for it, materials scientists dealt with the technology of grinding and polishing, technologists worked out the temperature modes of synthesis, and chemists handled the technologies of component purification and the production of the glass itself.
They gradually began to create their own experimental machines. To rise to a new, industrial level, team members of the project connected with enterprises, participated in thematic conferences. In general, they attracted interest in their developments. And this helped, orders began to come in.
In the end, a modern laboratory was built where higher-quality products can be created. The team now supplies finished machines to enterprises, which launch them into serial production, while they themselves work on developing new technologies. In fact, the guys are building a new industry in Russia.
We believe that we serve as a connecting link between a large number of enterprises interested in this industry,” notes project leader Alexander Semench.
Thanks to the “Priority 2030” program, the project team began to actively expand, new opportunities opened up before it. In the end, 14 versatile specialists who are passionate about their work and driving science forward gathered at the Scientific and Educational Center. Now the team already includes researchers, teachers, master’s students, and bachelor’s students. New “representatives of generations” regularly join, creating a kind of continuity. This ensures a continuous exchange of knowledge, experience, and growth among all employees.
Since the start of participation in the “Priority 2030” project, the team has gained more opportunities for development: they began to attract new partners and customers, expand the material and technical base of the laboratory, and start new projects.
This year, the Scientific and Educational Center “Nanotechnologies and Coatings” is launching its educational program “Chemical Engineering and Material Technologies of New Technology.” It combines chemistry and robotics. To attract attention to this direction, the SEC has started working with schools. Soon, special robotics classes will be opened where senior students will teach schoolchildren not only to work with robots but also to create them. Thus, children will purposefully enroll in this program, develop in the industry, and in the future bring the project to a new level.
The team of the project “Development of Glass Formation Technology SHA-LINZA” has big goals for its development, staff expansion, and employee training.
You can learn more about the team member in our video.
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