Innovative programs of EKSTU
Since over 60 years of the founding of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan State Technical University (EKSTU), it grew from a narrowly based institute to an innovative university with preparing specialists for the industry in the digital economy.
The launch of the innovative practice is not only a way to receive subsidiary income, but one of the important tasks of higher educational institutions and, in addition, high-quality practice for students. The university has a system of encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity.
The innovative atmosphere is supported by the Rector of the university - Professor Zhasulan Shaimardanov.
“In the conditions of the rapid development of science, technology and, accordingly, the basic branches of the economy, the success of the university determines its ability to meet the challenges of the time,” notes the head of EKSTU.
In the framework of the implementation of the Target Scientific and Technical Program, focused on the development of new types of products the following 7 projects have been launched at the leading industrial enterprises of East Kazakhstan region:
1) Superconducting wires for MRI production technology development
The goal of the project is to create a new class of superconducting wires with improved heat resistance properties. Applying such wires in the windings of tomographic scanner will make it possible to smooth out the reaction of thermomechanical thermal agitations. Now you won’t have to restart bulky superconducting magnets and give them a “rest”
Quality Control Sector is created as part of the Center of Excellence: a universal testing machine for the study of mechanical properties, metallographic microscopes, tribometer, and profilometer.
It has been developed a design (calculation of the components of bimetallic and multi-wire assemblies) and a hardware-technological scheme for wire manufacturing. Prototype parts, i.e. 10 kilometers of a superconducting wire, are produced on the basis of UMP JSC.
10 meters of the prototype wire were sent to the Japanese corporation Furukawa Electric Group, where the sample passed certification tests. And mechanical properties are tested on the basis of the university.
Akim of the region Danial Akhmetov reported that it is planned to start selling the superconducting wire in other countries.
2) Tantalum and niobium medical devices production technology development
A full-cycle pilot industrial site has been created at the university to produce medical implants which includes all stages of its production and packaging.
The Kazakh Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics conducted marketing research, as a result of which it determined the list of 8 implants most popular on the Kazakhstan market - 4 types of interbody cages and 4 types of laminar implants.
EKSTU made 8 types of implants of the medical alloy VT - 6 (Grade 5) and the new alloy TI-Nb-Ta. Studies have shown their good strength and fluidity. It is produced prototypes of the hip joint endoprosthesis cage, the hip joint endoprosthesis bowl and the elbow joint endoprosthesis peduncle. Preclinical studies have been completed with positive results.
The high-tech medical product manufacturing technology will be available within the framework of the project. The next step is commercialization.
3) Technology development of atmospheric leaching of low-grade mineral and industrial raw materials applying HYDROPOLIMET pilot-plant equipment
This project includes the research and development of a method for low-quality mineral and industrial raw materials processing, ensuring the increase of eco-friendliness of metallurgical production through applying the effective nanotechnology methods.
The implementation of a unique technology for atmospheric leaching of waste materials at the Ridder Metallurgical Complex of Kazzinc LLP is at its final stage.
The main advantage of this technology is eco-friendliness. Processing of low-grade concentrates on an industrial scale will reduce the load of firing facilities - Waelz complexes, thereby reducing atmospheric emissions.
Modernization of pyrometallurgical processes for the production of lead and zinc at Kazzinc LLP
This project can also be called "green technology." EKSTU scientists conducted research aimed at improving the environmental safety of lead and zinc production based on the introduction of energy-saving technological processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The work is carried out jointly with Kazzinc LLP
Based on the results of R&D data, it is further assumed that:
• Reducing by 4-8% the energy intensity of pyrometallurgical processes of lead-zinc production due to the implementation of the recycling principle, increasing eco-friendliness of production.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
• Creating a laboratory sample of melted slag granulator.
Titanium products output for oil and gas industry
Two technologies have been implemented: 1) applying titanium coating to the locking elements of DU-65 slide gate valve to improve the wear resistance of the stop valves; 2) assembly of slide gate valves with parts made of titanium alloy jointly with Ust-Kamenogorsk Industrial Valves Plant.
A test is being carried out at KazAzot deposit in Aktau city. Experimental parts of titanium alloys have been installed in the Chinese-made gate valve at the gas field of Tarbagatai Munai LLP.
Expected results: Development of technology for applying corrosion-resistant coating; Development of production technology for oil and gas and petrochemical industries with specified mechanical characteristics; increased service life of dy-50 valves from 3 months to several years to gain market competitiveness of Ust-Kamenogorsk Industrial Valves Plant’s products.
6) Titanium products output for further use in medicine”
EKSTU is developing technologies for the production of titanium and its alloys of domestic production of medical implants for the implementation at UK TMK JSC.
This is another resolving of regional problems that will ensure sustainable growth in the economic development of East Kazakhstan, as well as increase the technological level of the enterprise and maintain the position of a technological leader in the metallurgical industry.
7) Technology development for utilization of chlorine wastes of UK TMP JSC to develop new types of products
The goal of this project is to conduct research aimed at improving the eco-friendliness of titanium-magnesium production applying more efficient technological methods of waste processing. A method for demineralization of industrial effluents has been developed, which allows reducing the amount of solid residues by about 2 times and contributing to the creation of a closed water circulation at the enterprise.
At the moment, research is being carried out on the utilization of the solid part of industrial wastes with generating mineral substance used for the production of various building materials. On behalf of the head of the region, a small-batch production site was created, two runs of tiles with and without use of wastes were produced to compare operational characteristics. An experimental site (70 sq.m) is available.
Who is working on projects?
Talents and competencies are necessary for innovation development, as well as support of entrepreneurship, corporate mechanisms and rules for stimulating and encouraging innovations. The university has created the conditions for attracting and supporting talented teachers and researchers.
5 new scientific-production and innovation-research complexes and laboratories of the university were created and 6 operating ones were updated, for the high-quality fulfillment of goals and objectives within the framework of the implementation of the above target scientific and technical program. The VERITAS Advance Development Center has been established.
Staffing involved in research: 83 academics of D. Serikbayev EKSTU, including Doctors of Science - 4 people, Candidates of Science - 16 people, PhD - 6 people. The number of young researchers (students receiving a bachelor's degree, undergraduate students, PhD doctoral students) is 36 people, the topics of their term papers and dissertations are directly related to the subject of the program. Scientists from foreign universities and research centers are also involved in research.
In general, the achievements of the university can be judged by the development of East Kazakhstan. Its graduates are employed in the real sector, and hold key positions in business and management. Thanks to the contribution of graduates and academics of EKSTU, East Kazakhstan today is one of the most successful and dynamically developing region.