A group of scientists from Volgograd State Technical University (Volgograd State Technical University) and Novosibirsk State University (NSU) has created a digital platform for designing elastomers — polymer materials with high elasticity, such as rubber. The digital complex created by scientists includes three interconnected modules that radically change the traditional approach to designing elastomeric materials.
- The system is based on an extensive database containing over 5,000 verified elastomer formulations. This is the largest collection of materials science data of its kind in Russia. Each formulation undergoes thorough verification, and built-in machine learning algorithms allow for the identification of hidden patterns between the composition and properties of materials.
- The developers paid special attention to creating a program for calculating thermophysical properties. This tool determines 16 key characteristics of the material in a matter of seconds, including thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and density. Such calculations traditionally required expensive equipment and lengthy experiments.
- The third component of the system — the simulation modeling module — allows predicting the behavior of materials in extreme conditions. This is especially important for industries where elastomers operate at high temperatures and pressures: aircraft construction, space technology, and oil production.
According to the project manager, Professor Viktor Kablov of Volgograd State Technical University:
Properties such as heat capacity, thermal conductivity, temperature, and density can be calculated experimentally. That is, take a specific material and conduct tests, but this requires expensive equipment and significant time resources. In modern conditions, it would be more effective if we, knowing the composition, could automate the process of calculating thermophysical properties. In my opinion, we have successfully solved this problem: we enter the composition into the program, and within a few seconds, it calculates four main parameters — heat capacity, thermal conductivity, temperature, and density.
Leading enterprises of the petrochemical and rubber industries are already interested in the technology. NSU offers potential partners two options for cooperation: acquiring a software license or using the subscription service, which includes technical support for the partner's developments.
We have developed a program that allows calculating and predicting the behavior of a material under certain conditions. By entering 18 parameters that reflect the properties of the material and various influencing factors (temperature, time), we calculate the required thickness of the thermal protection coating. Moreover, it should be taken into account that this is a polymer material that swells, decomposes, and absorbs heat during heating. These are so-called "smart" materials that adapt to external influences and, as a result of a chain of chemical transformations under conditions, for example, high temperatures, these influences are neutralized. Thus, heat is spent on chemical reactions that absorb heat, and as a result, the temperature on the unheated side does not rise. This mechanism is similar to how living organisms work.
The next stage of work will be the creation of new types of elastomers capable of withstanding extreme operating conditions. These materials will find application in promising developments in the aerospace industry and energy.
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