Minsk to host sci-tech expo Intellectual Belarus on 20-22 January

MINSK, 17 January (BelTA) – The science and technology exhibition Intellectual Belarus will be held in Minsk on 20-22 January. Sergei Chizhik, First Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, said at a press conference on 17 January, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus can be rightfully called an intellectual country due to its scientific potential and achievements in various sectors of the economy. Is it possible to develop mechanical engineering, electronics, petrochemistry in modern conditions without a strong intellectual culture?” Sergei Chizhik asked a rhetorical question. “The exhibition Intellectual Belarus will be held in pursuance of the instructions of the head of state. It is meant to showcase the latest developments of Belarusian scientists, students, the most striking achievements in science. It will be running at the BelExpo national exhibition center for three days – 20-22 January. These will be a weekend, therefore it will be convenient for local residents, including schoolchildren, to visit it,” he said.

The exhibition will be multidisciplinary. “The National Academy of Sciences does not represent the country's entire science. There are 239 scientific organizations registered in the country, 78 of them are run by the National Academy of Sciences, 35 belong to the Education Ministry, 26 are administered by the Healthcare Ministry, 18 are part of the Industry Ministry, and so on. We invited all interested parties to take part in the expo,” noted the first deputy chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences.

The exposition will be divided into several clusters: artificial intelligence, information technology, robotics; innovative instrument making; electric transport and its basic components; defense industry and military science; environment, nature management; biotechnology; pharmacy, healthcare, medicine; agro-industrial complex, food; youth initiatives. The exhibition will feature about 400 exhibits, including large-sized equipment.

“There will be electric transport from the Academy of Sciences: two frame electric vehicles and a sports car. Their localization level is close to 90%. And most importantly, components will be presented. These are our efficient electric motors that have been used by Mogilevliftmash, domestic electronics (Izmeritel plant). Resident companies of the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone will also present component parts. We will show our progress in developing an electric storage. This matter is of great importance today. Lithium-ion cells for batteries are mainly imported from China. And we will present sodium-ion cells: lithium is replaced by sodium, which is a cheaper material. This product was tested in a laboratory setting,” Sergei Chizhik noted.

In addition, visitors will see new materials, in particular Belarusian emeralds. “We manage to grow really large ones, the size of a walnut,” the scientist added.

“Physicists are going to demonstrate absolutely novel things, for example, solutions to transmit information in space using a laser. The exhibition will also feature a system for rapid testing for viruses by scanning test tubes containing samples. Ultra-sensitive thermal imaging systems will be shown, as well as range finders that can measure a kilometer distance with millimeter level precision. The exhibition will also demonstrate systems for detecting vibrations, in particular in the area of the Belarusian nuclear power plant” Sergei Chizhik noted.