Valentyn Mykolayovych Bakul – creator and founder of the institute
History of diamond synthesis at high static pressure
In Sweden, for the first time in world history, the successful synthesis of diamond from a graphite-metal mixture at a pressure of 83,000 atmospheres was performed on February 16, 1953 in the laboratory of the ASEA company. The authors are the experimenter Erik LUNDBLAT, the head Halvard Ragker LEANDER, the press equipment and consultations of Balthazar von PLATEN. Industrial production was not developed, the patent was not obtained.
In the USA, the synthesis of diamonds was independently carried out in the laboratory of the General Electric company by a group of scientists, which included Tracy HALL, Herbert STRONG, Francis BUNDY and Bob WENTORF, and December 31, 1954 is recognized as the date of obtaining the first synthetic diamonds (man – made diamonds). The public presentation of the success took place on February 16, 1955. The patent was registered. Industrial production of SA was started in 1957 in Detroit. The first sale of SA took place in November 1957.
In October 1960, the company DE BEERS announced the creation of its commercially effective production of synthetic diamonds in SOUTH AFRICA.
In the USSR, a group of scientists from the Institute of High Pressure Physics of the Academy of Sciences (VERESCHAGIN L.F., GALAKTIONOV V.A., RYABININ Y.N., SEMERCHAN A.L., SLESAREV L.F.) in I960 independently carried out the synthesis of diamonds in the original AVD-type anvil with a recess (lentil). On this basis, in November 1960, V.M. BAKULEM in Kyiv developed an industrial technology, and in a record short time in 1961, industrial production was launched at the Institute of Superhard Materials. Patents were issued.
In February 1957, in the USA, in the General Electric laboratory, Dr. Bob WENTORF announced the invention of a method for synthesizing diamond-like cubic boron nitride (CBN).
In 1964, for the first time in the world, industrial production of CBN was started based on the inventions of domestic scientists (MOSCOW, BELARUS) in ST. PETERSBURG, at the ILLICH plant.
In China, in 1963, diamond synthesis was carried out in CHENZHOW and BEIJING. The first six-punch press was created at the institute in CHENZHOW in 1965. In 1966, CBN powder was obtained. Industrial production of SA began in 1966, and the first plant was launched in 1969.
According to the famous high-pressure scientist PERCY BRIDGMAN, Nobel laureate in 1946, all achievements in diamond synthesis were obtained because the authors “… found how to achieve the greatest pressure at high temperature, and to withstand these conditions for a longer time than had been achieved before.”
The theoretical works of O.N. LEIPUNSKY (1939) and FRANK-KAMELETSKY (1940s) were not mentioned.
In 1961, in order to create an industrial synthesis of diamonds and other superhard materials (SHM) and develop advanced tools based on them, the Institute of Superhard Materials was established in Kyiv on the basis of the Central Technological Bureau of Hard Alloy Tools and its research plant.
The industrial synthesis of diamonds was based on the theory of physicochemical synthesis of diamonds, developed by O.L. Leipunsky in 1939.
Academician L.F. Vereshchagin made a great contribution to the creation and improvement of high-pressure equipment, which provided the possibility of conducting scientific research and technological work in megabar pressure ranges. Under his leadership, in 1960, the laboratory of the Institute of High Pressure Physics (IFPT) in the USSR first carried out the synthesis of diamond from graphite.
With the active participation of Academician L.F. Vereshchagin, the scientific foundations were developed and the industrial production of synthetic superhard materials – diamond and cubic boron nitride – was established.
The first director and founder of the Institute of Superhard Materials – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Hero of Socialist Labor Valentin Nikolaevich Bakul (1908-1978) – was one of the organizers of the industrial production of diamonds in the USSR. The first large batch of synthetic diamonds was produced at the INM in October 1961.
From 1977 to 2014, the Institute was headed by Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Mykola Vasilyevich Novikov.
In 1982, for the active development of international economic relations and the strengthening of business cooperation, the Institute was awarded the International Prize “Golden Mercury”.
In April 1998, the 23rd session of the “Arc of Europe” convention was held in Madrid, “at which the Alcon concern and the Institute of Superhard Materials of the NASU were awarded a special sign of global recognition – the “Arc of Europe” – “…for their contribution to the development of world business, high level of scientific activity, continuous improvement of the management and production system, and professionalism.”
Since 1990, the institute has been named after V.M. Bakul.
In 1995, ALKON (Scientific and Technological Diamond Concern) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was established.
In 1999, the “SPI Gold Medal” was received from the International Association for the Promotion of National Industry (France).
In 2000, the INM received the “Odyssey” award from the International Academy “Continent” (Paris-Moscow) for outstanding achievements in the field of high technologies.
2005 brought the award “Commonwealth of Ukraine – Russia 2005”.
In 2007, NTAK “ALKON” became the laureate of the All-Ukrainian action “Leader of Goods and Services of Ukraine 2007” – “For outstanding contribution to the economic growth of the state”, and received this award from the President of Ukraine V. Yushchenko.
In 2007, a medal was won for victory in the All-Ukrainian competition-exhibition “The Best Domestic Product of the Year” in the “Science” nomination.
In 2008, INM was marked by a new achievement – Zhengzhou Hi – Tech New Technology Industries Development Zone – 2008. This is an award in the field of high-tech industry development of Chenzhou (China).
In 2010, the award “For the Best Trade Name New Millenium Award 2010” was received by the International Club of Trade Leaders (36 th International Award for the Best Trade Name New Millenium Award 2010).
In 2010, NTAK (ALKON) NAS of Ukraine also received the award “Enterprise of the Year – 2010” – “For achieving an advantage over competitors according to domestic statistical results”.
2011 brought INM named after V.M. Bakulya NAS of Ukraine Diploma “For significant contribution to the development of domestic science” from the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Science and Education and from the Institute of Innovative Technologies of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Currently, the Institute is the main organization of the scientific and technical diamond concern ALKON, which combines the financial, production and organizational activities of 12 organizations that are part of it.
In 2010-2014, the Institute coordinated the European Union grant “START” – “Enhancing cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine in the field of superhard materials”. During this work, opportunities for cooperation between the INM and leading EU research centers were developed, a number of conferences and trainings were held for young scientists aimed at improving their competence and increasing the opportunities for commercialization of scientific developments. In addition, a review of promising scientific developments of the INM was made and the research potential of Ukraine-EU cooperation was studied in detail; a concept and strategy for the development of the Institute of Superhard Materials until 2020 were developed.