A heating and cooling laboratory was opened at Shakarim University

Shakarim University continues to systematically develop scientific infrastructure aimed at strengthening scientific potential and introducing modern scientific developments into education and production practice.

In recent years, the number of research projects financed at the university is increasing every year. As part of the implementation of these projects, new scientific laboratories have been opened and they are equipped with modern equipment. This, in turn, expands the scope of the conducted researches and makes it possible to increase their applied and practical significance.

As a result of the mentioned works, the laboratory of heating and cooling was commissioned at Shakarim University. The laboratory is equipped with modern equipment for 40 million tenge. In the future, it is planned to equip it for an additional 25 million tenge. This significantly expands the laboratory's experimental capabilities and opens the way for conducting complex scientific research.

The main scientific direction of the laboratory is the development of modern heat carriers with improved thermophysical properties. In particular, scientific work is being carried out on the creation of nanofluids, the study of their thermal conductivity, viscosity and long-term stability. These parameters are very important for the efficient use of nanofluids in production and energy systems.

Ongoing research is directly aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the development of renewable and energy-efficient energy. The development of new heat carriers allows to increase the efficiency of heat and energy systems, reduce energy costs and rational use of natural resources.

The obtained scientific results are expected to be applied practically in the energy sector of the region. In addition, the commercialization potential of the developments is high, which paves the way for strengthening the relationship between science and industry.

Scientist opinion

Olga Stepanova, head of the department of technical physics and thermal energy, noted that the opening of the laboratory is the result of several years of systematic work:

– Today, a laboratory equipped within the framework of grant financing projects is opened in our department. The laboratory is fully equipped with computer and laboratory equipment. At first, we worked within the framework of a one-year internal university project, which was successfully completed in the field of nanofluids. Currently, we are implementing the next scientific project in this direction.

According to the scientist, the main goal of the research is to solve the problem of effective cooling of cutting machines and production equipment. This is done by increasing the efficiency of heat exchange by introducing nanoparticles into cooling liquids.

– All computers in this laboratory were purchased specifically for the research work of graduate and doctoral students. Young scientists are actively involved in research. We have obtained patents for the obtained results and we believe that in the future we will have the opportunity to improve the processes and introduce them into the production sphere,- he said.

In addition, the laboratory is being expanded within the Erasmus+ and KazDual projects. These projects are aimed at the development of dual education in Kazakhstan.

– The development of the laboratory allows students to obtain micro-qualifications in working professions. This opens the way for them to quickly adapt to the industrial environment, to grow their professional career from the position of a machinist, and then to the managerial level. We have high-quality, powerful equipment, and now there is a full opportunity to carry out modeling work and publish articles in prestigious international magazines,- noted the head of the department.

Learner's perspective

Doctoral student of technical physics specialty Zhandos Akishev said that the project started with an internal grant and was followed by large state financing:

- Initially, within the framework of an internal grant of 1 million tenge, we proved that nanofluid based on titanium oxide increases the efficiency of the solar collector. Later, with a 79 million tenge grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, we successfully completed a project to improve nanofluid for solar collectors. I believe that the laboratory opened today will play a big role in the training of specialists and increasing the scientific potential of the university.

Partner Review

Director of the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center in Semey, Sayat Tanatarov, praised the scientific initiatives at the university:

- Large-scale scientific works are being carried out at Shakarim University within the framework of grant projects. The development of a nanofluid that protects solar panels from overheating in the summer heat is a very relevant and important project. It provides a great opportunity for young people to get quality education and become qualified specialists. Obtaining patents is a real result of this work. We have a memorandum on cooperation with the university, joint work will continue in the future, he said

Conclusion

The opening of the heating and cooling laboratory is an important step in the development of the scientific ecosystem of Shakarim University. This initiative clearly shows the desire of the university to conduct relevant, applied and socially significant scientific research and will make a real contribution to the innovative development of the region.