The Russian Academy of Sciences called Velikhov's death a huge loss for the whole world

The death of academician, outstanding scientist in the field of thermonuclear fusion Evgeny Velikhov is a huge loss for the whole world. This opinion was expressed to Izvestia on December 6 by Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vice President of the National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Academician Vladislav Panchenko.

The scientist called Velikhov a great man, noting that he was very enthusiastic about his work, science. According to him, the academician prioritized discussions with young scientists, in front of whom he could speak for hours.

"He often left very important state affairs and rushed on his "Chaika" (Soviet car. - Ed.) somewhere in a boarding house in the Moscow region, where three, four, five hundred young scientists were waiting for him, and spoke and discussed with them for hours," the academician shared.

Panchenko noted that Evgeny Velikhov was a very intelligent and highly educated man who never imposed his opinion in science or in life.

"He simply told you, explained the situation, whether it was some task on theoretical physics or on laser technology, which was then engaged for a long time and created a unique on the initiative of Evgeny Pavlovich <...> laser center," - said the doctor of physical and mathematical sciences.

He added that the first Ilyich light bulb was created in this center, as well as laid the foundations of technologies for large-scale production of laser equipment for application in the fields of mechanical engineering, aircraft construction and biomedicine. According to Panchenko, Velikhov contributed to all this.

"This was a man of broad views, this was a man of flight, he was able to think very broadly and see very far. We are becoming more and more convinced of this every year, and, of course, today it is a huge loss for the whole world," the scientist said.

Labors and days: Academician Evgeny Velikhov passed away

The eminent scientist came to science through books and the example of his father

Velikhov was the scientific director of research on controlled thermonuclear fusion in the USSR (since 1973), as well as the initiator (in 1977) and one of the leaders (since 1992) of the international project on the development of thermonuclear energy ITER.

In 1977-1996, Velikhov was vice-president of the USSR Academy of Sciences, then of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and also initiated the creation of the Department of Informatics and Computer Science, or the Department of Nanotechnology and Information Technology for the time being.

In addition, Velikhov was a participant of the liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, Hero of Socialist Labor, Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation and the holder of many other state awards.

Evgeny Velikhov died at the 90th year of life on December 5.