Since 2008, the National Aerospace University “KhAI” has hosted a research school in the field of high-energy material processing, founded by Professor Sergiy Plankovskyy. The school’s current development is led by his scientific successor – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, and Honored Scientist of Ukraine, Olga Shypul, who was elected Chair of the Academic Council of KhAI in February 2025.
Professor Shypul also serves as the Head of the Doctoral Specialized Academic Board D64.062.04 at KhAI, which oversees the defense of PhD and Doctoral dissertations in the specialties 05.07.02 (134) and 05.03.07 (132), and regularly chairs ad hoc specialized boards for PhD dissertation defenses.
The research school integrates fundamental studies with engineering developments in plasma, thermo-impulse, laser, and ion-plasma technologies, functioning as a comprehensive scientific and engineering platform for the development of high-performance technologies, training of highly qualified researchers, and creation of innovative solutions.
Key features: integration of modeling and experimentation, CAD/CAE/CAM technologies, high-precision and efficient processing, strong connection to aerospace and power engineering industries.
Research Training
The school ensures the training of highly qualified scientific personnel. The following dissertations have been completed:
Doctoral Dissertations:
Olga Shypul «Scientific basis of the precision thermal pulse processing with detonating gas mixtures» (2024)
PhD Dissertations:
Yevhen Tsehelnyk «Justification of Gas-Dynamic Protection Parameters of Plasma Torch Cathodes for Ground Testing of Aircraft» (2010)
Olha Borysova «Improvement of Energy Dosing Methods in Finish Thermo-Impulse Cleaning of Precision Aircraft Components» (2011)
Vadym Garin «Gas-Dynamic Design of Plasma Torch Cathode Units for the Utilization of Polymer Composite Materials» (2012)
Andriy Garin «Enhancing the Efficiency of Ion Cleaning of Gas Turbine Engine Components Considering Temperature Constraints» (2013)
Volodyslav Kozlov «Improving the Efficiency of Finish Cleaning of Aircraft Hydraulic System Components Using the Thermo-Impulse Method» (2013)
Dmytro Brega «Improvement of Design Methods for Cathode Units of Electric Arc Plasma Torches» (2013)
Oleh Tryfonov «Method for Assigning Thermo-Impulse Processing Regimes with Detonating Gas Mixtures in Integrated CAD/CAE Systems» (2013)
Ali Alkib «Integration of Electric Arc Plasma Generators into Raw Material Gasification Installations» (2018)
Petro Melnychuk «Method for Assigning Technological Regimes for Laser Cleaning of Aircraft Structures from Paint Coatings during Aircraft Modernization» (2018)
Yevhen Palaziuk «Method for Assigning Thermo-Impulse Processing Regimes of Gas Turbine Engine Components Made of Heat-Resistant Alloys Based on the Qualimetric Edge Indicator» (2019)
Serhiy Zaklinskyy «Improvement of the Critical Orifice Method for Gas Mixture Generation in Physical-Technical Processing» (2024)
Under Professor Shypul’s supervision, PhD candidate, Associate Professor Oleksandr Shorinov is working on a doctoral dissertation «Scientific Foundations for Quality Control of Coatings Obtained by Cold Gas-Dynamic Spraying».
Research Projects and Results
Over the past 10 years, the school has successfully completed numerous fundamental and applied research projects aimed at developing new technologies and equipment for high-energy material processing, including:
R&D on technologies for finish processing of aerospace components with intensive heat flows (DR No. 0113U001059)
R&D on an automated system for precision thermal pulse processing using detonating gas mixtures (DR No. 0117U002500)
R&D on technologies and technical solutions for automated industrial installations for precision processing of gas turbine engine components with detonating gas mixtures (DR No. 0119U100943)
R&D on software and technical support for digital twins of aircraft component processing using detonating gas mixtures (DR No. 0121U109601)
R&D on production and restoration systems for military equipment and components (DR No. 0123U102001)
These projects demonstrate the school’s evolution from classical processing to:
- development of digital twins of technological processes;
- design of intelligent automated production systems;
- implementation of high-precision thermo-energy processing methods in industry.
Achievements of Professor Olga Shypul and International Recognition
Professor Shypul has a substantial scientific portfolio of approximately 100 publications (90 research papers and 10 educational-methodical works), including:
50 peer-reviewed articles, most indexed in Scopus;
2 Ukrainian invention patents and 4 utility model patents;
1 invention patent application in Ukraine;
3 textbooks and 7 teaching manuals;
8 research reports;
25 international conference papers.
Her international recognition is confirmed by invitations as a reviewer for leading journals in Q1 and Q2 quartiles, and her active participation as an expert in competitions of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
In 2024, under Professor Shypul’s leadership, the school team won the EURIZON competition of the Horizon 2020 program with a project implemented in cooperation with leading European universities, including Warsaw University of Technology and University of Pannonia. The project focuses on advancing numerical modeling methods and implementing innovative industrial technologies, highlighting the school’s international authority and research activity.
The school also addresses national security challenges. In 2024, the project “Development of a Remote Gas-Detonation Deminer” won the National Research Foundation of Ukraine competition Science for Strengthening Ukraine’s Defense, focusing on humanitarian demining technologies.
Current Development
The modern development of the research school emphasizes continuity of scientific traditions, gradual expansion of research directions, active international engagement, and integration into the European research space.
Under Professor Shypul, the school ensures:
- execution of fundamental and applied research;
- creation and implementation of high-performance material processing technologies;
- training and certification of highly qualified scientific personnel;
- development of international scientific collaborations and participation in national and international projects;
- addressing critical industrial and national security challenges.