News in Press-centre

5-th International Winter School Ice Mechanics was opened at the Far Eastern Federal University on February 18. During the week, students and scientists from Russia and China will begin to study together the properties and structure of natural ice. The statistical data obtained as a result of research is planned to be used in the construction of ships and drilling platforms in the Arctic.

“Today, the problem of the interaction of ice with various structures, in particular, offshore structures, remains unsolved. We developed a course of lectures to acquaint students with the physics of ice and with the methods of studying its properties. The school turned out to be very popular. Every year, colleagues from other countries come to us to study this issue in more depth”, said Tatiana Uvarova, a professor at the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Buildings and Structures Theory of the FEFU Engineering School.

The classes are attended by 43 students and scientists from Harbin University of Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, China Shipbuilding Research Center, and the FEFU School of Engineering. The educational course includes theoretical studies and practice. So, on February 20 and 21, students will go on the ice in Novik Bay and take ice samples for laboratory research. After they study the material for strength, salinity, density, structure, temperature and even heterogeneity. Upon completion of training, researchers will present the results of weekly work, pass the exam and receive certificates.

“The Chinese students and scientists are greatly interested in the laws of interaction between ice and vessels, as well as the theory of ice destruction. The FEFU Ice School allows you to get new experience in these matters”, said Yukui Tian, head of the Arctic Technologies and Ice Basin Department of the China Shipbuilding Research Center.

Far Eastern Federal University has been conducting Ice Schools since 2015 within the framework of the Arctic International Research and Education Center. The project aims to create a center of excellence in the field of Arctic technologies for the development of ocean resources.