Vladilen F. Minin

In 2005 professor Christopher Earls Brennen published his monograph «Cavitation and Bubble Dynamics» where special focus was given to the research of shock waves interaction with gas bubbles in water and experimental discovery of cumulative jet formation effect in case of bubble collapse conducted by V.F. Minin.

Being in charge of the investigations Minin took part in the works on adaptation of the developed algorithms and creation of the brand new parallel ones for numerical simulation, implemented on the basis of upgraded 128-processor machine PS-2000 as all-in-one decision field. Together with the display stations “Gamma” type it is incorporated in general simulation complex. This system which had no analogues in the USSR made it possible to simulate various significant nonstationary processes of the mechanics of continua. By 1990-91 all the TV centres of the USSR were equipped with video-computer graphic stations GAMMA-T.

For more than 30 years (up to 1996) Minin was a scientific advisor, general director and chief designer of the Institute of Applied Physics.

In 1991 Minin was elected a president of the Urals-Siberian Branch of the Academy of Technological Sciences and a member of the Academy Council for new information technologies.

In 1973 the Institute proceeded with the execution of additional objectives set by the head organization of the Ministry of Machine-Building i.e. development of aircraft-launch rockets. At the same time (the period of preparation for Moscow 1980 Summer Olympic Games) by the government order the Institute was to develop and produce the series of X-ray security systems, explosive detectors (a range of gas analyzers М01, М02) and explosion-proof facilities and other systems.

In the late 1970s – the early 1980s joint works with the laboratory of millimeter and submillimeter-wave metrics (Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics of USSR Academy of Sciences) were started. These were the research works on millimeter and submillimeter wave range for transmission and reflection spectra of the explosives and their simulators. For the first time measurements of their spectral characteristics were determined. Collaborative works directed by V.F. Minin were started to develop high-quality non-aberrational quasi-optical lens of submillimeter-wave range on the basis of theoretical insights and the unique equipment of the Institute of Applied Physics. They were used for producing image visualization systems with regard to weapon detection in a human body as well as for producing a submillimeter microscope.

At the same period pioneering investigations were carried out as concerns the effects of anomalous back scattering of dielectric particles and aerospace monitoring of the environment (1970s – 1980s).

In the field of cumulative charges in 1969 V.F. Minin received the first empirical results with cylindrical liners. The experiments were conducted at the focal distance equal to the double value of the charge diameter for different masses of explosive charges. Soon afterwards the author's certificate for invention No. 64442 with priority was obtained of 18 June 1970.

In 1966 Minin established a State Special Design Bureau (later renamed into “Sosna”) for radio-electronic solutions. In 1968 the bureau was reorganized into the Institute of Applied Physics and he became the head of it. He was to mobilize various institutes of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences around common work on diversification and branch-oriented fundamental research and pilot works.

In 1963 Minin was conferred a degree of a senior research assistant in chemical physics of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

In 1963-1964 he started working on branch-oriented optoelectronic systems.

In 1961 Minin passed his defense for a degree of a candidate of technical sciences. In his theses he offered to apply explosion for low-soluble gas dilution in water.

In 1959 (by the order of Lavrentyev) Minin was appointed the chief engineer to be responsible for the construction and provision of scientific instruments made in his laboratory not only for the Institute of Hydrodynamics, but also for other institutes to-be-built for the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences.

At the same period he delivered lectures to his first students at the preliminary courses of Novosibirsk State University. Later he was invited by Vice-rector R.I. Soloukhin to take part in establishing demonstration hall for the Department of General Physics and practical physics. Over 100 demonstration scenarios for a course in physics were made by Minin. In 1959-1969 he worked as an associate professor at the Department of General Physics.

In 1958, at the invitation of M.A. Lavrentyev, Minin moved to Novosibirsk Academgorodok (scientific centre) to work at Lavrentyev Institute of Hydrodynamics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He initiated some new research directions : electromagnetic throwing of the body, shock waves interaction with bubbles in water with air layers, anomalous properties of nitrogen plasma, explosive sound sources, explosion plume, etc. At that time the research in these fields was not being conducted in any other laboratory of the Institute of Hydrodynamics.

Vladilen Fyodorovich Minin (Russian: Влади́лен Фёдорович Ми́нин) (born 27 May 1932, Rudinka, Ryazan Oblast), a Soviet physicist, Doctor of Technical Sciences, a professor, a member of the Academy of Technological Sciences of the Russian Federation. He was the founder, general director and chief designer of the Institute of Applied Physics (1966-1996), the founder and president of the Urals-Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Technological Sciences. He developed air- and navy- launched missiles, custom control and safety systems and computer equipment. He is a Laureate of the USSR State Prize and the holder of the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

Vladilen Fyodorovich Minin was born to a family of teachers on 27 May 1932 in the village of Rudinka, Ryazan Oblast. Later the Minin family moved to Nagishy (Lebyazhy Usad) of Gorlovka village settlement in Skopin district of Ryazan Oblast. After his father's return from the Second World War the Minin family moved to Moscow. Vladilen finished secondary school for working youth No. 77 in Stalin district of Moscow, then he studied in industrial school No. 40 to become a metal turner. He worked as a turner at the plant, then as a lab assistant in science classrooms of the school for working youth and taught physics to militiamen.