President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Kovalchuk, Kurchatnik (the Kurchatov Institute) is no longer just an institute, but rather an agglomeration of various institutions, which engage in a variety of activities encompassing almost all areas of research. What do you think is your top priority after all?

Head of the Kurchatov Institute Mikhail Kovalchuk: You know, Mr President, you laid down our priority in your Executive Orders. Six Presidential Executive Orders underlie the Kurchatov Institute’s operations.

The first one concerns developing nature-like technologies. The second one – a follow-up to nature-like technologies – is a genetic and behavioural programme and a programme for creating unparalleled mega-installations across the country. We will own the world’s top research infrastructure within the next five to eight years.

Next, the agricultural programme, in which we deal with the research and genetic part. On top of it, we operate as the lead research organisation, under your Executive Order as well, for expanding the nuclear complex.

Plus microelectronics, which is a separate topic, and I will say a few words about it. We are working on breakthrough neuromorphic microelectronics.

We own nearly 100 percent of the research network infrastructure, including the entire supercomputer sector, with all existing 20,000 kilometres of networks. We are also working on a quantum network which is located within this compound as well.

We are working on diverse projects in accordance with your instruction, because the Kurchatov Institute includes about 30 institutes. This is a potent interdisciplinary centre.

Plus fundamental physics, especially now that collaboration with CERN and other Western projects has come to an end. Huge numbers of researchers, most of them the Kurchatov Institute employees, have come back meaning that restarting fundamental research is a key priority as well. In this sense, we are on the brink of a technological breakthrough.

Plus our traditional research in the nuclear energy. We have built new nuclear power plants, such as a nuclear battery for Arctic exploration, which is advancing quickly.

Plus our Sevmash project. We have developed, specifically for Gazprom, a manned underwater vehicle for two operators, which can dive to a depth of 2,200 metres to monitor the TurkStream gas pipeline. Mr President, you may remember this vehicle from your dive to see the sunken frigate Oleg in the Baltic Sea.

Vladimir Putin: I had a 1,900-metre dive in Lake Baikal.

Mikhail Kovalchuk: This one goes down to 2,200 metres. It is a manned vehicle. We teamed up with Gazprom to build a remotely operated vehicle which can be deployed from this vehicle and do inspections while it remains connected to the vehicle with a cable.

Vladimir Putin: I do not think you can see much in the Black Sea at that depth due to the hydrogen sulfide environment.

Mikhail Kovalchuk: Still, we have developed a unique simulator, an exact replica. You sit in the cabin, descend, and experience a real-life simulation. This simulator is truly unparalleled.

In addition to that, we were fully in charge of bringing things up to code in the Arctic, rehabilitation, as I reported to you earlier. We have developed a whole new type of nuclear power. Here is the battery. We have the Yelena plant, a factory-built battery, which generates up to 1 megawatt of electricity and up to 15 megawatts of heat. These local plants do the job in the Arctic where there are no major consumers and no chance to build a grid or a major power plant.

We signed an agreement with Yakutia. I recently met with [Aisen] Nikolayev, the head of the republic, regarding the development efforts. This is the legacy from the past. In Soviet times, this plant was built in its first iteration in Yakutia. After the Soviet Union collapsed, it all came to an end. We have moved to a whole new level in terms of safety and other aspects, and are now moving forward. Gazprom is interested in having it for developing remote fields. This programme is underway.

Moreover, nuclear energy in outer space traditionally involves direct energy conversion. You appointed me as head of the direct conversion area which is a top priority.

What is direct conversion all about? Currently, reactor heat is converted into steam, which makes turbines rotate. This is not direct conversion. Direct conversion involves thermoelectric elements, specific substance. You surround the plant with these elements some of which are hot, and others are cold, and the heat gets converted into electricity without any moving parts or anything.

This is the essence of all spacecraft propulsion systems. We have been addressing this issue for many years. Today, the entire space exploration is linked to two key aspects. The first is entirely new engines. If we think about this, as you and I discussed some time ago, we will see that we fly into space, much like Baron Munchausen, on a cannonball. Our RD-180 engine operates for 300 seconds, providing an impulse that kick-starts a rocket, allowing us to fly along ballistic trajectories, but we are unable to adjust them. But we need to land on the Moon. We have now developed prototype engines that offer an entirely different thrust and completely new opportunities for deep-space missions. This is the first aspect.

For example, we have developed a lunar station that functions as a prototype Selena battery. We are now focusing on one thing at a time and trying to promote it as much as possible.

The same applies to materials. Thanks to your decisions, our institute now possesses the world’s largest materials science potential. Absolutely everything that flies has been developed at the Institute of Aviation Materials, which is part of the Kurchatov Institute.

We are now establishing an integrated materials science centre that will include the Prometei Institute and the All-Russian Institute of Aviation Materials, as their equipment is one and the same, and Rosatom has consistent requirements.

We are often asked about our priorities. We have only two, or perhaps three, priorities, but we focus on the first two. First, any human thought that is generated emerges in the form of materials. For example, when a person conceives a picture, they need paints, canvas, an easel, etc. to create it. A person who has conceived a melody needs a grand piano, or another musical instrument, as well as sheet music and ink. Essentially, any item is a material, and energy is needed to create a material. Thus, energy and materials are two eternal civilisational priorities.

Vladimir Putin: What about the soul?

Mikhail Kovalchuk: You are absolutely right. The soul and intellect are the third priority. This is it. I believe that our three priorities are among the best in the world because we would not have made it into outer space if we were unable to create this, nor would we have succeeded in establishing the nuclear power industry. This is a result. Therefore, I believe that our current situation is good.

Speaking of global issues, I would like to discuss with you the details of a possible breakthrough in certain spheres that we have prepared.

I would like to remind you that, in 2008, we launched a pilot project to establish the first national laboratories of the Kurchatov Institute in accordance with your executive order, and we started incorporating other organisations. Now, fifteen years on, I am ready to report to you on our achievements, and how we are preparing to take the next leap.

Vladimir Putin: Good.

<…>