Research

The first truly artificial brain may still be a ways off, but scientists may have just gotten a little closer. A recent study by researchers from ITMO University in a Nature journal describes a curious phenomenon: hybrid crystals that exhibit a behavior similar to that of brain neurons – all it takes is a series of laser pulses. Hypothetically, a system based on such elements could imitate the inner workings of the brain and surpass the limitations associated with conventional electronic systems.

Read more: ITMO Researchers Discover Crystals That Imitate Brain Cell Activity

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ITMO Fellow Tamer El-Messery’s career has taken him all over the globe, but his current port of call is St. Petersburg, where he’s working on delivery systems for improved nutrition. ITMO.NEWS recently spoke to Dr. El-Messery about his work, his impressions of ITMO, and what it’s like to work with Russian students. 

Read more: Truly More Than a University: ITMO Fellow Tamer El-Messery on Foodtech and Working in Russia

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When it comes to topics such as nutrition, it can be hard to tell what’s real science and what’s mere quackery. Is “detox water” a serious concept? Does liquid truly have a memory? Are “minerals” always a good thing? We spoke to the researcher Denis Baigozin about the common myths around water, whether “artificial water” could ever exist, and even about the very origins of the life-creating liquid.

Read more: Mythbusters: Uncovering Truths About Water

University

Great changes start from small beginnings – this is the key principle of the Summer School in Urban Studies, which was recently co-organized by ITMO. 40 students from Russia and abroad came together to revitalize Bolshie Luchki, a once-thriving neighborhood in the town of Slantsy. The winning team, which included ITMO students, came up with a comprehensive proposal that tackles the issues of healthcare and shared spaces. Other teams’ suggestions included eco-paths, a new research center, and more.

Read more: Young Urban Scientists Changing Leningrad Oblast: Case of Bolshie Luchki

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Every year, T-Bank unveils the list of winners of its academic scholarship. Among this year’s 200 winners, eight are students of ITMO University – an unprecedented figure. For the whole of the coming academic year, all of them will receive a sizable stipend along with expert guidance and even the opportunity to work or intern at the company after their graduation.

Read more: 8 ITMO Students Win Scholarships from T-Bank