The Innovation Promotion Foundation has announced the winners of the All-Russian "Participant of the Youth Scientific and Innovative Competition" ("UMNIK-2026"). The authors of 500 selected research projects will each receive a grant of 500,000 rubles to support their innovative developments.
The Innovation Promotion Foundation organizes this competition in partnership with the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, within the framework of the federal project "Technologies" under the national project "Efficient and Competitive Economy."
Samara University is proudly represented by seven winners:
- Valeria Serbina – "Development of a Software Service for Intelligent Planning and Optimization of Production Processes Based on Digital Twins and Machine Learning"
- Irina Pimenova – "Development of a Method for Intelligent Analysis of Raman Spectra of Blood Serum"
- Stepan Butorin – "Development of a Propulsion System for CubeSat Small Spacecraft Using 'ProZa' – an Eco-Friendly, Affordable, and Safe Propellant"
- Ksenia Dubova – "Development of a Software Module for Network Traffic Analysis to Detect Anomalies"
- Kirill Khapersky – "Development of a Computer Vision System for Defect Detection During Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF)"
- Alexey Yakimov – "Development of a Software Module for the Automated Generation of Axial Turbine Flow Path Geometry Using Artificial Intelligence"
- Pyotr Semenov – "Development of a Hardware-Software Complex for Intuitive Gesture Control of a Heavy Quadcopter Based on Machine Vision Methods for the Construction Industry"
"UMNIK serves as a crucial entry point for young researchers into the world of technology entrepreneurship. This trajectory can seamlessly continue into the 'Student Startup' competition, which is why we view 'UMNIK' not as an isolated event, but as a vital tool for the further development of our projects," noted Elena Bogatova, Head of the Entrepreneurship Development Department at Samara University.
"This year, seven projects from our university emerged as winners. For us, this is a clear indicator that a robust environment for nurturing technological ideas is taking shape at the university. Our primary goal is to help the winners not stop at the grant stage, but to leverage the additional opportunities provided by our university's innovation ecosystem."
