HAPPY RUSSIAN SCIENCE DAY!

09.02.2026

Dear friends and colleagues!

February 8th is celebrated annually as Russian Science Day. It was established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation on June 7, 1999, "considering the outstanding role of Russian science in the development of the state and society, in keeping with historical traditions, and in commemoration of the 275th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Academy of Sciences."

On February 8, 1724, by decree of Peter the Great, the Academy of Sciences was established, intended to become the center for the development of Russian science and education, as well as the dissemination of knowledge in Russia.

Russian science has given the world many great names and discoveries. One of these was the brilliant Russian scientist Mikhail V. Lomonosov, a luminary of world science who demonstrated the role and significance of people capable of giving the world glass!

Mikhail V. Lomonosov pioneered the chemical production of glazes, glass, and porcelain. He developed the technology and formula for colored glass—smalt (pieces of a homogeneous opaque mixture of glass and metal oxides), which he used to create mosaic paintings.

Today, interest in studying the properties of this material, born of earth and fire, continues unabated! Looking to the future, researchers hope to achieve significant breakthroughs using glass to neutralize nuclear waste, create safe batteries, and design biomedical implants. Engineers are developing ingenious touchscreens, chameleon-like glass, and shatterproof glass.

On behalf of the Presidium of the Association StekloSouz of Russia and on my own behalf, I congratulate all glass industry workers and colleagues at the Russian Academy of Sciences.