During the visit, the scientist got acquainted with the scientific infrastructure of the university, visited a number of research units and delivered a lecture for students and young scientists of SFedU.

The work program began with a meeting between Alexander Terentyev and the rector of the Southern Federal University Inna Shevchenko in the main building of the SFedU. During the conversation, the parties discussed the development of scientific cooperation, prospects for cooperation in the field of research, as well as the role of university science in solving the problems of technological development of the country.

The program of the visit continued at the Western Campus of the University, where Alexander Olegovich got acquainted with the research infrastructure of a number of scientific departments of the SFedU.

In the laboratories of the SFedU International Institute of Intelligent Materials, the Director of the Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences got acquainted with the instrument base and key competencies of the center in the field of development and creation of scientific equipment.

At the SFedU Faculty of Chemistry, the guest was presented with ongoing scientific projects and research areas, including work in the field of hydrogen energy and new materials.

Alexander Olegovich also visited the Scientific Research Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry of the Southern Federal University, where he was introduced to the main scientific directions of the institute, key laboratories and the results of research conducted by university scientists.

The first day of the visit ended with a scientific lecture by Alexander Olegovich "Peroxyl, N-oxyl, alkyl and sulfonyl radicals in oxidative combination reactions", which took place at the SFedU Research Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry. After the presentation, the scientist discussed current trends in the development of modern organic chemistry with students, graduate students and young researchers at the university and answered questions from the meeting participants.

On the second day of the visit, on March 12, Alexander Terentyev visited the SFedU Center for Micro and Low-Tonnage Chemistry, where developments are underway aimed at import substitution of low-tonnage chemistry components, reverse engineering and synthesis of new substances. The center implements a model of interaction between fundamental science and applied research, which makes it possible to accelerate the path from a scientific idea to the creation of demanded technological solutions.

During the tour, he was shown the key developments of the center: the silica reverse engineering sector for GC Titan (three projects within the framework of Russian Government Decree No. 208), as well as preparations for the launch of Russia's first 2,5-dimethylpyrrole production line commissioned by SIBUR-Innovations. These projects have become a clear demonstration of how the university responds to the demands of the real sector of the economy.

Senior Researcher Alexander Zagrebaev spoke about the possibilities of microfluidic technologies:

"At the center, we develop low-tonnage products and solve scaling problems. The main advantage of microfluidics is precise control: we precisely dose the reagents, use microchannels where the contact of the reagents is enhanced, and provide thermal control. This helps to get rid of by-products and clearly control the properties of the final products. High security is also important: all chemistry is isolated from the chemist, everything happens inside a closed system. Many people think it's difficult to scale microchannels, but there are different approaches, from increasing the number of reactors in parallel to increasing the pipe diameter. Last year, we almost reached pilot production with one commercial partner. The way we work is this: we get the concept, we try the chemistry, we understand the specifics, and we are moving quickly towards a pilot project. Within one year, it is quite feasible."

Alexander Soldatov, Scientific Director of the SFedU department, Director of the International Research Institute of Intelligent Materials, spoke about financial support and infrastructure:

"We are actively using the financing of the national project "New Materials and Chemistry". The center's building was built under the Priority 2030 program, and the equipment was partially provided by a subsidy from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. We are actively developing cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The website has already been developed microfluidica.ru we plan to implement a network scientific program — colleagues from different cities are ready to participate with their modules."

Alexander Olegovich highly appreciated the development of low-tonnage chemistry at the university, calling this area the most important for science and the state. He emphasized modern equipment, young scientists and the need to revive academic mobility — the exchange of internships and contacts between universities and institutes.

"Southern Federal University pays great attention to chemistry, although it is difficult to develop this field, and many are trying to abandon it. But chemistry is the basic branch of industry, the foundation of science, mechanical engineering, energy, and the basis for the economic success of any state. Therefore, the creation of such a center is a big deal for science and the country, a heroically useful step.

It is encouraging to see that there are many young people here, the laboratories are equipped with modern equipment, and work is underway in key areas: inorganic chemistry, current sources, and catalysts. It is important that the center combines chemical and physical research — now they cannot be separated.

A university and an academic institute are very different, but if we communicate more often and enrich each other with staff, this will give a huge result. The center will become a point of attraction for science, industry and youth, and a point of growth for fulfilling government tasks," emphasized Alexander Terentyev.

Then there was a substantive discussion with the scientific teams of young SFedU scientists conducting practice-oriented research within the framework of the national project "New Materials and Chemistry". The participants of the meeting — young researchers from the Research Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry, the International Research Institute of Intelligent Materials, the Faculty of Chemistry and other departments of the University — presented their projects in the field of microfluidic synthesis, new materials and the use of artificial intelligence in chemical research.