The Department of Pulsed MHD Power Systems was established in the Institute for High Temperatures (IVTAN) of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1975 to perform the following activity in the field of application of pulsed power sources for geology and geophysics:

- Electrical prospecting for oil and gas with application of pulsed MHD power systems, electromagnetic sounding of the Earth crust in the seismic-prone regions for earthquake forecast, as well as to define the deep structure of the solid Earth;

- Research & developments of advanced pulsed MHD power systems providing the high specific power parameters and reducing the operation cost.

Since 1990 the Department of Pulsed MHD Power Systems is a part of the Institute for High Energy Densities of Associated Institute for High Temperatures of Russian Academy of Sciences. Today the department staff consists of 2 professors, 4 researchers of PhD level, 12 researchers, engineers, and technicians.

Current Activities

•        Research & development on perfection of pulsed geophysical MHD generators and development of new concepts of MHD devices for aerospace applications.

•         Investigations of advanced technologies of geological and geophysical application of high power sources of electric energy (pulsed MHD generators and explosive-magnetic generators).

•         Development of technology of electromagnetic sounding of the Earth crust.

•         Information technologies and development of instrumentation and diagnostic facilities for geophysical application.