Research at ETU "LETI"

Research at ETU "LETI" aims to develop fundamental knowledge and to solve global problems. ETU is integrated with industry and academic research institutes, design institutions and high-tech enterprises worldwide.

The final product of ETU “LETI” is human resources of a new society. In this regard, the university’s main priorities are talent hunt and development, building research competencies, and motivation for success in the profession. ETU cultivates innovative education environment and extended international cooperation.

The basis for the education process development at the university is the research and human resource potential. Our top priorities are the following:

  • Safety and life quality improvement;
  • Human efficiency in the digital world;
  • Human provision with recourses.

The university is focused on research and innovations in such highly demanded areas as InfoTechnosphere, BioTechnosphere, and EnergyTechnosphere. ETU was at the origin of these scientific and educational areas in Russia. The cluster of the NBICS technologies including nano, info, bio, and cognitive components is developed at the university in line with ergo and green technologies. These technologies represent the research and innovation potential of the university as well as the education paradigm.

InfoTechnosphere

ETU researchers are working on the design of the logic elements for multilevel neural-like memory. In cooperation with the leading Japanese National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), we have designed and fabricated a multi-level memory by means of the atomic and molecular self-assembling technology. Comparing to the conventional memory having only two logic states, the advantage of the designed memory elements is six logic states.

Furthermore, in cooperation with the largest European Interuniversity Microelectronic Centre (IMEC) in Leuven, Belgium, a technology for molecular assembling from the liquid phase has been developed to fabricate nano-scale memory of a new generation. The US and European patents were obtained for this technology.

Among other important projects are the following:

  • High-speed infocommunication system with a high rate of information transmission and jamming immunity;
  • Nano-scale new-generation element base for neuromorphic computer platforms;
  • Cellular infotelecommunication systems of millimeter wave 5G;
  • Self-organizing nanosensors networks.

BioTechnosphere

We have more than decade-long experience in such an area of personalized and prognostic medicine as lab-on-chip technology. We have developed the original method and database for express identification of pathogens and antibiotic resistance testing which have already passed preliminary certification. The method allows for avoiding conventional Petri dish technology, which allowed reducing the analysis time from 3-6 days to 3-6 hours.

Another application of the lab-on-chip technology in prognostic medicine is an express diagnosis of stress consequences such as myocardial infarction and stroke. The molecular design has been used and a database for aptamers, the artificial recognizing proteins has been developed.

Among other important projects are the following:

  • Digital systems and technologies for the telemedicine, prediction of exacerbation and prevention of life-threatening conditions of patients with chronic diseases, monitoring of pregnant women
  • Specialists training and creation of breakthrough, environmentally safe and economically beneficial technologies of the waste utilization and disposal;
  • Hazardous waste pyrolysis in the high-temperature water vapor environment generated by a microwave superheater in an open reactor;
  • Electrotechnology of radioactive waste vitrifying in an induction cold crucible.

EnergyTechnosphere

A priority Russian technology is the diamond electronics technology that includes all the stages from the growth of synthetic diamonds to designing diamond-based electronic devices. The work on this technology was initiated within the framework of a large-scale international project.

At the same time, the university cooperated with the Inreal company from St. Petersburg. ETU provides material properties investigation, technology optimization, and applications of the diamond crystals in electronics and photonics. At the moment, a number of Japanese companies contribute to the implementation of the developed innovative integrated technology of the diamond-based electronic devices.

Among other important projects are the following:

  • High-efficiency solar converters: they are designed for supplying power to stationary and mobile objects with no access to the electric power system;
  • Energy recuperation from the environment;
  • Silicon carbide electronic components for power electronics with previously unreachable modes and operating conditions.

Education programs

The recent research achievements are used to launch new education programs. ETU students receive training in English at the 7 following programs:

There is also post-graduate program taught in English and entitled “Optical and Optoelectronic Devices and Systems.”

International Winter and Summer Schools are available for international students to get acquainted with university priority areas and Russian culture. The university has also developed distance-learning courses available on Coursera.

International cooperation

Under the conditions of globalization of the research, innovation, and education systems, the university has been an active member of the international research and education community.

Since 1946, the university has educated high-qualified engineers for foreign countries. Thanks to the university policy focused on keeping in touch with the international alumni, next year we are to organize already the 3rd European Alumni Forum in Berlin. Among partners of the university are more than 180 universities and research centers from 80 countries. ETU "LETI" leads among the Russian universities with the international students’ rate at 20%. ETU provides students with an opportunity to study and participate in projects on the basis of university laboratories created jointly with leading international companies such as Siemens, Keysight Technologies, Bosch, Mitsubishi, Huawei, and others.