Scientific School «Progressive Technologies and Equipment for Production and Repair of Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines»
General Characteristics of the Scientific School
The activities of the scientific school are focused on conducting fundamental and applied research in the field of aircraft engine manufacturing in the areas of material processing with blade and abrasive tools, sheet electrohydraulic stamping, bulk stamping, as well as the application of protective and restorative coatings using gas-thermal spraying methods.
Founder of the Scientific School
The founder of the scientific school is Anatoliy Ivanovych Dolmatov (1948–2024), Doctor of Technical Sciences (1993), Professor (1997).
In 2013, A. I. Dolmatov took charge of the scientific school «Material Processing by Pulsed Energy Sources», which was originally established in 1963 by a corresponding decree of the Council of Ministers of Ukraine at the Kharkiv Aviation Institute. It was founded on the basis of the problem research laboratory for the industrial use of pulsed energy sources by Rostyslav Viacheslavovych Pikhtovnikov, Laureate of the USSR State Prize, Doctor of Technical Sciences, and Professor. Explosive metal processing, the fundamentals of which were established in R. V. Pikhtovnikov’s doctoral dissertation, formed the core of the school's scientific direction. The theoretical development of this field was further advanced in the doctoral dissertation of Yuriy Mykolaiovych Alieksieiev, who served as A. I. Dolmatov's academic supervisor during his postgraduate studies.
In the 2000s, the school evolved in two directions: «The Influence of Pulsed Energy Sources on the Shaping of Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials» and «Development and Research of Technologies and Equipment for Pulsed Formation of Functional Coatings». Anatoliy Ivanovych Dolmatov was the founder and head of the second direction, which began its formation in 1985 at the Department of Aircraft Engine Production Technology within the Faculty of Aircraft Engines.
Main Scientific Research Areas:
1. Intensification of cutting processing for aircraft engine parts.
2. Development of technology and equipment for detonation and cold gas-dynamic spraying of protective and restorative coatings.
3. Development of technologies and equipment for bulk and sheet stamping.
Scientific Achievements and Results
The pioneer of the scientific school, Y. M. Alieksieiev, was actively engaged in scientific research. His theoretical conclusions regarding the plastic flow of metals were applied to the study of various metal pressure processing operations. Under his leadership, an impulse-vacuum department was created to produce bulk and sheet parts for the aerospace and engine manufacturing industries. All state research projects were considered highly critical and were coordinated by the State Committee for Science and Technology of the Council of Ministers. These scientific developments were implemented across more than 20 enterprises in Ukraine and other countries. Under Y. M. Alieksieiev’s supervision, more than 50 Candidates of Technical Sciences were trained.
Further advancement and international recognition of the scientific school occurred under the leadership of Anatoliy Ivanovych Dolmatov.
The main areas of A. I. Dolmatov's scientific research focused on creating the scientific foundations for progressive, resource-saving technologies in aircraft engine manufacturing, as well as improving the efficiency and environmental safety of power plants using technological and design methods. The outcomes of his scientific pursuits resulted in advanced technologies and equipment for GTE (Gas Turbine Engine) production that surpassed global standards.
Under A. I. Dolmatov’s guidance, the scientific school developed unique fields in Ukraine dedicated to improving functional coatings applied to aerospace and general machinery parts using detonation-gas, high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF), and cold gas-dynamic methods. The theoretical conclusions, mathematical and numerical models, technological processes, and recommendations obtained by the school's researchers were verified and refined across two departmental laboratories – high-temperature and cold gas-dynamic spraying, established in 1991 and 2009 respectively – as well as at the JSC «Motor Sich» enterprise. The laboratories are fully equipped for sample surface preparation before spraying, coating application, post-processing, and quality analysis.
Key Publications and Scientific Projects
Professor A. I. Dolmatov is the co-author of 11 monographs, 4 textbooks on aircraft engine manufacturing technology, 18 study guides, more than 70 inventions, and over 200 articles and conference proceedings.
Since 1996, Anatoliy Ivanovych managed state-funded and commercial scientific research on the application of protective coatings via gas-detonation and cold gas-dynamic spraying. Representatives of the scientific school completed fundamental and applied research to develop elements of the theory of integrated control over the formation of physical and mechanical properties of surface layers, increase the productivity and environmental safety of machining, plastic deformation, and coating processes for difficult-to-machine materials used in gas turbine engine parts, and design specialized spraying equipment. These projects resulted in the creation of equipment for gas-detonation spraying, cold gas-dynamic spraying, flame spraying, rotary deep grinding, and magnetic-abrasive processing of GTE blades. An installation for producing nanopowders via kinetic explosion was also developed under his leadership.
Throughout his career, A. I. Dolmatov actively participated as a co-investigator and project manager for state and commercial contracts with major Ukrainian enterprises: JSC «Motor Sich», «FED» plant, V. O. Malyshev Plant, «Progress» Design Bureau, and «Yuzhmash». The most fruitful cooperation was with the Zaporizhzhia-based enterprise «Motor Sich». The research findings were integrated into advanced manufacturing, finishing, and renovation technologies for aircraft engines such as the AI-24, AI-25TL, D-18T, and VK-1500. Serving as a scientific advisor to JSC «Motor Sich» on aircraft engine manufacturing technology, Anatoliy Ivanovych repeatedly participated in international exhibitions: Santiago (Chile, 2000), Buenos Aires (Argentina, 2001), Beijing and Zhuhai (China, 2002, 2003), and Hannover (Germany, 2001–2004).
A. I. Dolmatov was the project coordinator for the international EU 7th Framework Programme «FP7-TRANSPORT» project «Cold Spray Radical Solutions for Aeronautic Improved Repairs (CORSAIR)» (grant agreement No. 605207, 2013-2016), involving partner institutions from the UK, Spain, and Germany. He co-managed the preparation of master's programs focused on obtaining nanopowders under the TEMPUS project «Interregional network for innovative development of ecosystems Technosphere (ECOTESY)» (544498-TEMPUS-2013-SE-TEMPUS-JPHES, 2013-2016) in a consortium with leading universities in Sweden and Spain. Furthermore, he was a co-investigator in the «DENOX» project, dedicated to reducing harmful emissions from aircraft engines, implemented under the HORIZON 2020 “Clean Sky 2” initiative – Europe's largest aviation research program.
Scientific Projects and Grants since 2020:
- State-funded research and development:
1) «Innovative cold gas-dynamic spraying technologies for rapid production and repair of critical aircraft components» (No. State Reg. 0126U001940, 2026-2028);
2) «Development of an integrated technology for creating wear-resistant coatings based on NiTi and TiAl intermetallics on titanium alloy parts» (No. State Reg. 0125U000622, 2025-2027);
3) «Development of technology and equipment for cold gas-dynamic spraying of restorative coatings on aircraft components» (No. State Reg. 0124U000553, 2024-2025);
4) «Development of an integrated technology for restoration and repair of aircraft (helicopter) components by cold gas-dynamic spraying followed by machining» (No. State Reg. 0122U001341, 2022-2023);
5) «Increasing the productivity and environmental safety of machining, plastic deformation, and coating application processes for difficult-to-machine GTE part materials» (No. State Reg. 0120U102116, 2020-2021);
- Commercial research contracts:
1) «Application of protective and restorative coatings on GTE parts via gas-dynamic spraying» (No. 204/2020 (UGT)); Customer: JSC «Motor Sich»; 2020–2023);
2) «Investigation of the possibility of increasing the performance characteristics of cutting tools by modifying the coating composition of inserts» (No. 204-1/2021); Customer: JSC «Motor Sich»; 2022–2023);
3) «Investigation of methods to ensure the load-bearing capacity and durability of GTE parts manufactured using resource-saving technologies» (No. 7602/20-D(UGT)); Customer: JSC «Motor Sich»; 2022–2023);
- Individual grants:
1) "Cold gas-dynamic spraying of protective and restorative coatings with an increased level of wear resistance for aircraft components" (Grant of the President of Ukraine for support of scientific research and development of young scientists for 2026, Presidential Decree No. 130/2025-rp dated November 27, 2025).
Scientific Community and Continuity. Disciples
As one of the leading experts and scientists in aircraft engine manufacturing technology, Professor A. I. Dolmatov was a member of the expert council of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) of Ukraine in mechanical engineering. He also served as the deputy head of the methodological commission for the «Aviation and Astronautics» specialization of the MES of Ukraine. He held positions as deputy chair and later chair of the specialized academic councils D 05.03.03 and D 64.062.04 for defending doctoral and candidate dissertations in «Aircraft Production Technology» and «Physical and Technical Processing Processes» at the National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute», National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute», and the Research Institute of Engine Production Technology and Organization.
Anatoliy Ivanovych Dolmatov was not only a prominent scientist but also a dedicated educator and mentor who impacted the lives of many students. He delivered lectures with great enthusiasm, integrating practical examples and inspiring the younger generation to pursue achievements in science and engineering.
Since the school's inception, 2 Doctoral and 25 Candidate dissertations have been successfully prepared.
Dissertations for the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences supervised by Professor A. I. Dolmatov:
1) V. A. Symonenko – "Development and implementation of detonation spraying technology for aircraft engine parts, tooling, and equipment" (1990);
2) A. I. Kulagin – "Research, development of technology, and equipment for magnetic-abrasive processing of aircraft engine parts with sprayed coatings" (1993);
3) P. D. Zhemanyuk – "Research, development, and implementation of an integrated technology for shaping and processing thin-walled aircraft engine parts made of titanium-based alloys" (1996);
4) S. V. Serhieiev – "Development of technology and equipment for applying detonation coatings to aircraft engine parts and tooling" (2001);
5) A. V. Bohuslaiev – "Increasing the life cycle of tooling based on protective technologies" (2002);
6) M. M. Bahmet – "Development of integrated technologies that increase the life cycle of aircraft engine parts and components" (2003);
7) V. V. Popov – "Technological assurance of quality parameters for GTE compressor blades during their manufacturing" (2003);
8) S. E. Markovych – "Investigation of the detonation-gas coating application process on aircraft parts considering the magnitude and distribution of residual stresses in the coating-substrate system" (2005);
9) A. P. Petrenko – "The influence of technological inheritance of surface preparation of aircraft engine parts during gas-detonation spraying" (2007);
10) A. A. Horbachov – "Deep grinding of turbine blades made of difficult-to-machine materials using planetary grinding heads" (2010);
11) S. K. Koltun – "Improving the manufacturing quality of titanium alloy GTE compressor rotor blades based on an integrated shaping technology" (2011);
12) M. O. Kurin – "Investigation of the technology of planetary deep grinding of flat surfaces of aircraft engine parts" (2011);
13) I. A. Zhdanov – "Technological assurance of the quality of bending aircraft engine pipelines using combined loading" (2013);
14) A. Y. Nezhvedilov – "Formation of hardened surfaces of steel gas turbine engine blades by vacuum thermocyclic nitriding in a pulsating glow discharge plasma" (2014);
15) A. A. Kabatov – "Technology of diamond burnishing of aircraft engine parts and assemblies" (2014);
16) K. A. Danko – "Increasing the life cycle of aircraft engine parts by technological methods" (2018);
17) I. V. Zorik – "Technology of restoration and repair of aircraft engine parts" (2020).
Currently, the development of the main research areas of the scientific school is led by departmental faculty members: Candidate of Technical Sciences, Professor Maksym Oleksandrovych Kurin, and doctoral candidate, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Shorinov.
The topic of the doctoral dissertation that M. O. Kurin is working on relates to increasing the efficiency of machining aircraft components based on predicting contact phenomena.
Under his leadership, three dissertations for the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences have been defended:
1) S. M. Nyzhnyk – "Technology of grinding aircraft engine parts considering the increase of the active surface of the abrasive grain" (2019);
2) T. V. Loza – "Preliminary preparation of the surface layer and ensuring the quality of detonation coatings of aircraft engine parts" (2021);
3) A. V. Onopchenko – "Improvement of the deep drawing-stamping technology of complex-shaped aircraft components considering the kinematics of metal flow on matrix ribs" (2025).
Doctoral student O. V. Shorinov focuses on developing the scientific principles of quality management for coatings obtained by cold gas-dynamic spraying (Scientific Consultant – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor O. V. Shipul).
The scientific and applied results obtained under the guidance of O. V. Shorinov were used to complete PhD dissertations by postgraduate students of the department:
1) Kun Tan – "Development of supersonic nozzles for cold gas-dynamic spraying" (in English) (2024);
2) Wenjie Hu – "Cold spraying of protective and restorative coatings on titanium alloy aircraft components" (in English) (2024);
3) S. O. Polyvianyich – "Improvement of coating formation technology on titanium alloy parts by cold gas-dynamic spraying" (2025).
Students of various levels continue to be actively involved in the research work within the scope of the school's research topics.
Recognition and Authority of the Scientific School
- Awards and Honors of A. I. Dolmatov:
2001 – Awarded the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology (Diploma No. 4931) for the development of equipment and technology for gas-detonation coating of aircraft engine parts to extend their service life.
2005 – Awarded the honorary title "Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine" by Decree of the President of Ukraine (Certificate No. 1624).
2005 – Awarded the "Petro Mohyla" badge of honor.
2008 – Full Member (Academician) of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (Certificate D No. 895).
2012 – Awarded the G. F. Proskura Regional Scientific Stipend (in Engineering) by the Kharkiv Regional State Administration.
2019 – Received an official Commendation from the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
2021 – Awarded the Certificate of Honor of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
2023 – Honored with an official Commendation from the leadership of the National Aerospace University "KhAI" for many years of fruitful work training engineers for the aviation industry of Ukraine and foreign nations, on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
- Awards and Honors of M. O. Kurin:
2015 – Laureate of the G. F. Proskura Regional Scientific Stipend in Science and Technology.
2025 – Awarded the Certificate of Honor of the Kharkiv Regional Council.
- Awards and Honors of O. V. Shorinov:
2023 – Awarded the Certificate of Honor of the Kharkiv Regional Council.
2024 – Awarded the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Stipend for Young Scientists (Decree of the Presidium of the Committee for the Borys Paton National Prize of Ukraine No. 6 dated November 5, 2024).
2024 – Awarded the Certificate of Honor of the Executive Committee of the Kharkiv City Council.
2025 – Awarded the Honorary Certificate of the Kharkiv City Council.