The Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IHTE UB RAS) was founded in January 1958 on the base of the Laboratory of Molten Salts Electrochemistry, a worthy part of the Ural electrochemistry research school tradition. Professor Smrinov M.V., Doctor of Science (Chemistry), honored Master of Science and Technology of RSFSR, was the founder and the first head of the Institute. In the following years the Institute was led by such distinguished people as Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences Karpachev S.V., Academician Baraboshkin A.N, professor and Doctor of Science (Chemistry) Khokhlov V.A. Since 2006, the Institute was headed by Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor Yu.P. Zaykov. From 2017 to the present time the Director of the Institute is Doctor of Chemical Sciences M.V. Ananyev. Nowadays IHTE is the only institution that specializes in the field of high temperature physical chemistry and electrochemistry of molten salts and solid state electrolytes. During 60 years IHTE has been engaged in fundamental studies focused on creation, development and application of the following:
- Theoretical and experimental foundations of modern physical chemistry and electrochemistry of molten salts and solid state electrolytes;
- Principles of electrochemical processes for the production and physical-chemical analysis of new materials for various applications in corrosive environment and high temperatures;
- Scientific fundamentals of resource saving human and environment friendly technologies for electrochemical processes used for the production, refining, and protection of metals and processing inorganic raw materials;
- Principles for construction of high temperature molten and solid electrolyte devices which provide the most rational direct conversion of molecular energy into electric power.
Most of the practical applications and projects are developed in cooperation with leading scientific and industrial production companies and research centers in Russia (fuel company TVEL (Rosatom), FSUE (Federal State Unitary Enterprise), RFNC (Russian Federal Nuclear Centre) – VNIITF (Russian Scientific Research Institute of Technical Physics named after academician Zababakhin E.I.), NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, UEChW (Ural Electrochemical Works)OJSC, SSC RIAR (State Scientific Center- Research Institute of Atomic Reactors), SverdNIIchemmash, Chepetsk Mechanical Works, Solykamsk Magnesium Works, UMMC, Uralelectromed, etc), USA, Korea, Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, and other countries. The Institute intellectual property is protected by Russian and foreign patents.
