A proposition for scientific cooperation with Musk and unique icebreaker materials as a point of cooperation?
On 20-21 February, Moscow hosted the Future Technologies Forum, which featured the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This year's forum was dedicated to new materials and chemistry, and the discussions during the plenary session and the event by Russian officials suggest that chemical materials could be a potential area for future cooperation between the U.S. and Russia in the Arctic.
Many countries want to cooperate with Russia in the segment of building a nuclear icebreaker fleet. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during the plenary session of the Future Technologies Forum, according to the transcript of the speech published by the Kremlin.
Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the National Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, proposed making unique Russian materials needed for Arctic development projects a subject of possible discussion with the United States.
Only Russia has unique steel grades that allow domestic icebreakers to operate in the Arctic.
—Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the National Research Centre Kurchatov Institute
"There is a topic for a hypothetical conversation with the Americans about the Arctic, since they are interested in it. They have two icebreakers, one of which burned down. And we have 60 years of experience," Kovalchuk said. "There is a topic for a global conversation…" he added. However, Vladimir Putin advised caution, urging not to rush in this direction.
Vladislav Antipov, an assistant to the president of the Kurchatov Institute, stated that the institute has developed cold-resistant steels for the manufacture of icebreaker hulls.
"These icebreakers can overcome ice more than four meters thick. Sealing materials, paints, varnishes, and functional materials have been developed that do not lose their elasticity and operate at temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius," said Vladislav Antipov, "In general, the scientific and technical groundwork that has been created allows Russia today to be the only power that has a nuclear icebreaker fleet. This groundwork also opens up opportunities for the future in terms of creating Arctic underwater gas carriers."
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that American entrepreneur Elon Musk could engage in science after completing his reforms of U.S. administrative bodies, and that Russian companies could cooperate with him. Musk currently heads the new U.S. Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE), which aims to "cut wasteful spending and restructure federal agencies."
During the forum, Putin visited the stands of companies showcasing their latest developments. Dmitry Sauers, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprombank, presented energy storage devices being developed in Russia. These devices are capable of ensuring import substitution and advancing domestic technology in priority sectors of the economy, including Arctic development.
The devices can be used in areas such as special robotics, space systems, autonomous stationary objects, and heavy and diving equipment. Sauers referred to the technology as "Russia's second answer" to Musk. Putin encouraged scientific cooperation:
He will finish reforming the administrative bodies in the States, get down to business, and focus on science. You should cooperate with him… We have agreed with him to work together in space; we can work here too.
Sauers, in turn, noted that the batteries could be installed in SpaceX spacecraft, whose energy capacity is 10% less than the presented batteries of Russian design.
Source: Portnews, RIA, Kremlin
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