Chemical engineering today is not only formulas and reactions, but also real solutions for the energy, ecology and agricultural sectors. It is able to influence economy, restore environment and form new technologies. We talked about the path in science, international projects, startups and prospects of Ukrainian chemical engineering with Ruslan Oleksiiovych OSTROHA (DSc in Technologies, associate professor, head of the SumDU Department of Chemical Engineering).

About the path to science

– Why did you choose chemical engineering? Do you remember the moment when you realized: “This is mine”? What was critical in this choice?

– Honestly, I am not one of those who dreamed of a white coat and laboratories since childhood. At school, I was constantly interested in the question: why is this happening? Why does something burn or collapse, and two identical devices work with different efficiency? I was attracted by logic of exact sciences. Physics taught me to think systematically, mathematics helped build models, and chemistry revealed the beauty of reactions. However, it was engineering that gave me a true understanding of how knowledge is transformed into practice. The first year of study at SumDU was decisive. I remember well our first curatorial hour, when we were taken to a specialized laboratory. Then formulas and schemes from the textbook came to life in the form of real installations. At that moment, I realized before me were not abstract things, but a path that allows me to create solutions with a real impact on people’s lives. Today I know for sure that chemical engineering is a combination of science and practice. It gives me an opportunity to think like a researcher and at the same time act like an engineer. I felt that I had found my place.

– One of the areas of your research is granulation of complex fertilizers. These developments became the basis for the TerraVita Recovery startup, which is working on restoration of degraded soils in areas of man-made and military stress. What practical results have already been achieved or are planned?

– I began to seriously engage in granulation processes during my postgraduate studies in 2011. At that time, it was not just a scientific topic for me, but a real challenge to understand how to manage the complex processes of granule formation to improve properties of materials and make them more effective. Over time, these studies grew into systematization of knowledge and culminated in defense of a doctoral dissertation. Thus, I went from the first experiments in the laboratory to large-scale scientific generalization. The logical continuation was emergence of the TerraVita Recovery startup. Here, we went beyond academic research and focused on specific needs of border communities, especially those whose lands were affected by war and man-made pollution. Our solution is to create a granulated biocomposite with complex action. It works as a fertilizer that nourishes the soil, restores its microbiological balance and increases fertility. At the same time, we have laid a foundation for further development – an ability to bind toxic substances. We have already developed the fertilizer composition, produced trial batches with different combinations of nutrients and conducted agricultural testing. The results confirmed our expectations. We are currently working on the second function, which concerns sorption of heavy metals, explosive residues and radionuclides. This is a complex area that requires special conditions and additional funding, so we are submitting applications for state and international competitions. Our goal is to scale up the developed technology, because this is a real opportunity to turn soils destroyed by war into fertile fields that will yield crops again. Uniqueness of TerraVita Recovery lies in combination of science and practice, when one product simultaneously solves environmental and agricultural problems.

About areas of scientific interests and technologies of future

– What other areas of research are included in your circle of scientific interests? What achievements do you consider the most significant in your scientific career?

– My circle of scientific interests also includes oil and gas refining processes. This is an important industry in Ukraine, which requires optimization approaches in terms of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Working in this area, I have investigated issues of increasing rectification efficiency, improving operation of heat exchange equipment and optimizing technological schemes. Besides, drying processes of various materials occupy an important place in my scientific activity. The transportability of products, their preservation, as well as reducing losses during storage and processing depend on high-quality removal of moisture. Another area is mathematical modeling, which allows you to more accurately predict behavior of multiphase systems and reduce energy production costs.

As for achievements, an important stage was defense of a doctoral dissertation and obtaining a scientific degree. Another significant achievement was participation and victory in the European project EURIZON, funded by the Horizon Europe program. According to its results, our team was among the best and had an honor of representing Ukrainian science at the final event in Brussels.

However, the greatest achievement for me is materialization of ideas that become useful for society. When people see real tools in scientific developments, at such moments I understand my work is truly valuable.

– How promising, in your opinion, is AI implementation in chemical engineering for research and production? Do you see any potential for AI use in your own scientific projects?

– AI becomes a universal tool today, and chemical engineering is no exception. If we talk about research, AI opens up new opportunities in modeling and forecasting. For example, instead of dozens of experiments, you can train an algorithm to detect patterns in large data sets and quickly select optimal parameters. This saves time and resources, allows you to focus on those experiments that are truly critical.

AI can be used to analyze experimental data, identify hidden relationships, and build digital twins of processes. This allows you to predict efficiency even before full-scale tests are conducted. At the same time, it is important to remember that AI is not absolute. It can be wrong, because it depends on quality of data and correctness of algorithms. Therefore, the principle of integrity and critical thinking comes to the fore. AI should complement the researcher, not replace him. Evolution of these technologies is obvious, but human control and responsibility remain critical.

On challenges and prospects

– How do you assess the state of applied chemical engineering in Ukraine today? What do you regard as the main vectors of development within war and post-war reconstruction?

– Applied chemical engineering in Ukraine today is in a difficult state. We have lost part of the industrial base, many enterprises have been stopped or destroyed by the war, and supply chains have been disrupted. On the other hand, right now there is a unique chance to rethink and build a new industry that will be modern, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.

I see several key vectors of development. The first is recovery of production facilities taking into account principles of green chemistry and circular economy. We cannot simply restore old technologies, because they are already morally obsolete. Reconstruction should become a point of modernization. The second is development of local solutions for agriculture and communities. In wartime and after it, technologies for processing biowaste, production of new fertilizers, biofuels, and materials for soil remediation will be of particular importance. This will allow not only to restore the land, but also to reduce dependence on import. The third is digitalization and integration of modern technologies, including AI. This will allow optimizing processes, making them more manageable and transparent. It will raise safety and efficiency.

In general, I assess the state of applied chemical engineering primarily as an opportunity. The war showed that our science and our engineers can adapt and create innovations even in critical conditions. And it is on how we use this moment that it depends whether Ukraine will be able to become not only a consumer, but also a producer of modern technologies, which will shape the market in the post-war period.

About the university role

– What role does the university play in your activities as an environment for scientific innovations?

– For me, the university is more than a place to work. It is an environment that combines education, science, and youth. At this intersection, innovations are born. SumDU gave me an opportunity to go from student to department head. I understand well how important it is to have a space where you may not only teach, but also create something new.

The university role in my activities consists of several things. Firstly, it is a team of like-minded people. Here, there are people with whom you can form ideas, discuss, and look for non-standard solutions. Secondly, it is involvement of young people. I am convinced that it is students and postgraduates who are the engine of innovation, because they think boldly and without boundaries. Thirdly, the university opens the door to international opportunities. Thanks to its support, we implement Horizon Europe projects, cooperate with partners from the EU and the USA. We integrate Ukrainian science into the global context.

A university in a frontline city is also a symbol of resilience. Despite all war challenges, we work, launch startups, win competitions and show that even in such conditions, innovation is possible.

About international experience

– How has international cooperation influenced your scientific approaches? How important is international partnership for Ukrainian scientists and universities?

– International cooperation has taught me to look at research much more broadly. Working with colleagues from other countries changes standards. You evaluate experiment quality differently, structure projects, take into account life cycle of a product and its impact on environment. For me, experience within the Horizon Europe project, internships in Slovakia and partnerships with universities in France and the UK was especially valuable. I received some of results thanks to individual grants and work in laboratories abroad (Slovakia, the Czech Republic, France). My work was presented at international conferences in Europe and North America, as well as at the agricultural product festival in Singapore. This made it possible not only to exchange experience, but also to see that Ukrainian science confidently sounds on different continents.

Such a partnership is extremely important for Ukrainian scientists. It opens up access to modern equipment, methods and funding. Even more importantly, it creates a sense of inclusion in world science. I am convinced that international cooperation is an opportunity to bring our own unique solutions. Unfortunately, the war gave us experience that we never sought. This makes Ukrainian researchers especially valuable to the world community, because we offer solutions to problems that often do not even arise in other countries.

On future of young scientists in Ukraine

– What is needed for more young specialists to stay in Ukrainian science?

– In my opinion, the main problem is that science in Ukraine is still underfunded. A young specialist does not receive sufficient support at the start. If we want the profession of a scientist to be desirable and popular, we need to increase funding and create more opportunities for young people.

It is also important to provide a sense of perspective. Young people will stay in science when they see that their ideas can be implemented, that they have access to modern laboratories, international internships and projects. Mentoring is no less important. Young people should feel there are senior colleagues nearby, ready to help and guide them. This creates an atmosphere in which they want to work and develop.

So, it is necessary to simultaneously make the profession of a scientist financially attractive and socially prestigious. Then, young specialists will regard science not as a temporary stage, but as a long-term path that can be implemented in Ukraine.

On personal motivation and balance in work

– You combine scientific, teaching and administrative work. How do you manage to maintain a balance between these areas?

– Combining science, teaching and administrative work is a kind of art. And to be honest, there is no ideal balance here. I try not to separate these areas, but to look for points where they reinforce each other. Science gives me ideas that I can immediately bring to the classroom. Teaching allows me to systematize this knowledge, and it is there that special moment often occurs when you see a flash of interest in a student and understand that this is where the path of a future scientist begins. Administrative work allows you to create conditions so that both science and teaching have space for development. I truly love everything I do. And this gives me energy, even when the working day drags on until late at night.

About motivation in learning and career prospects of the Chemical Engineering specialty

– What, in your opinion, motivates a modern student the most and how can a university strengthen this motivation?

– A modern student is motivated not by grades, but by a sense of practical learning value. The greatest interest appears when he sees real opportunities for self-realization. This can be participation in applied initiatives, access to modern laboratories, involvement in international environment. The university can strengthen this motivation by making study as practical as possible, opening up space for creativity and research, giving a chance to try your hand at cooperation with business or real partners. An atmosphere of trust is also important. Young people do not accept “top-down” relationships, but respond well to sincere dialogue and a sense of team.

– Why should a modern applicant pay attention to chemical engineering? What prospects does it unfold in Ukraine and abroad?

– Because chemical engineering is not about formulas, but about real technologies and modern careers. It opens up opportunities to work in the oil and gas industry, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, various kinds of environmental projects, production of high-tech materials and digital solutions via the IT interface. Such education opens a way to international companies, R&D centers, consulting or production management. In Ukraine, there is a particular need for specialists who modernize production, create innovations and adapt technologies to new conditions. Abroad, graduates work in corporations, laboratories and technology parks, using the support of grants and exchange programs. This is a specialty with real mobility, decent pay and an opportunity to build a career, remaining at the center of technological changes and seeing concrete results of work.

About inspiration and professional dream

– How do you personally restore inspiration and maintain professional focus?

– I draw the most inspiration from my family. Their support, understanding and belief in me are priceless. They remind me of what it is worth moving forward for. They help me maintain balance in the most stressful moments. Physical activity is also important to me, because it is a way to recharge and keep my energy up. I also love traveling, but mostly it is related to work: conferences, internships, meetings. However, even in this format it is an opportunity to change places, see a new picture, visit places I have not been before. This always adds fresh ideas. As a result, all this helps me maintain internal balance and not lose focus.

– Do you have a professional dream that is still ahead?

– Yes, I have a goal to create my own scientific school. For me, it is not just about research, but about an environment where young people get a chance to realize themselves, feel the true value of science and become world-class scientists – stronger and braver than us. I am sure that this is where our bright future lies.