Awarded for the research into thermophysical properties and powerful impulse energy devices that are used as a basis for the creation of impulse generators, high-current limiters, lightning stroke simulators for high-voltage lines, and efficient energy conversion devices.
Vladimir Fortov is a renowned scientist, whose work has played an important role in modern physical and engineering science. He was one of the first to apply strong shock waves to a generation of intense pulses of electric currents and to also investigate the physical and chemical properties of materials under extreme pressure and temperatures. He was also the first scientist to carry out the detailed measurement of the properties of perspective working media for magneto-hydrodynamic and magnetic flux compression electric generators.
Mr. Fortov substantially contributed to the understanding and expansion of knowledge of the basic properties of matter under extreme conditions. He has been awarded numerous Russian and international prizes along with honours for great achievements in his field.
Brief Biography:
- In 1968, he graduated with a high distinction from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology with a degree in thermodynamics and aerodynamics, the same year he entered the PhD program at the MIPT.
- In 1971, ahead of schedule, he defended PhD thesis on “Thermal Physics of Nuclear Rocket Engines Plasma”.
- Since 1991 – RAS Academician, at the time Vladimir Evgenyevich was only 45 and was one of the youngest RAS academicians.
- From 1996 to 2001 V.E. Fortov was Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS).
- In August 1996, was appointed chairman of the RF State Committee for Science and Technology, then the Minister of Science and Technology, simultaneously, until March of 1997, was Vice Chairman of the RF Government; in March of 1998, he resigned from the office as a member of V.S. Chernomyrdin’s cabinet.
- From 2007 to the present day, V.E. Fortov has been the director of the RAS Joint Institute for High Temperatures (OIVT).
- From 2010, a member of the Scientific Advisory Council at the Skolkovo Foundation.
Scientific achievements:
- V.E. Fortov’s works on the development of scientific principles for the protection of space-craft within the scope of international Vega Project (study of Halley’s Comet) became RAS history. Equally important is his work behind studying the consequences of collision of the Shoemaker–Levy 9 Comet with Jupiter.
- The experimental work studying the formation of quasi-crystalline ordered structures within plasma (including unprecedented space experiment “Plasma Crystal”, started at the Mir orbital space station in 1998 and continued at the International Space Station (ISS)) currently carried out under the auspices of V.E. Fortov, is fundamental and promising with regard to its possible applications.
- In the World of Science V.E. Fortov is known as a founder and the leader of a new research area – dynamic physics of collision plasma.