A Guide to the Russian Academy of Sciences - University of Texas ...

The Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE) was established on May 31, 1946
to solve scientific and technical problems of nuclear power development.
In 1951 the IPPE was charged with the task of construction of nuclear power plant. The
world's first NPP, with the thermal power of 30 MW (5 MWe) was commissioned
on June 27, 1954. After 5 year operation as a nuclear power plant, it has been in
use as a research facility to test the channels generating electricity in direct
thermionic rnergy conversion mode, for research of nuclear materials, production
of isotopes, etc.
The Institute has become a major research and development center dealing with complex
studies on the problems of reactor development for nuclear power facilities
(NPFs), for various purposes. Solution of serious problems in science and
technology is possible due to a high scientific potential of the IPPE where 67
Doctors, 370 Candidates of Science work, and about 4000 research workers and
engineers altogether work, and an up-to-date experimental and production base
has been created.
In April 1994, the IPPE was given the status of the State Research Center of Russian
Federation (SRC IPPE). Its organisation structure corresponds to the main
directions of its activities.
Facts from the history of IPPE (1945-1996)
December 19, 1945 The decision was made on organisation of "B" Laboratory near
Obninskoe railway station, 105 km far from Moscow.
1947 Three scientific departments were formed with 8 laboratories included: theoretical,
radio-chemical and reactor material research ones.
1949 A. I. Leypunsky was ordered to head the scientific department of the "B"
Laboratory.
1950 The beginning of the activities concerning non-military applications of the atomic
energy.
September, 1951 V. A. Malykh's laboratory started design works on heat-generating
items for the First NPP's reactor.
April, 1953 The decision was made on construction a facility with nuclear power units
27/VM (water cooled) and 27/VT (liquid metal cooled) in the "B" Laboratory.
August, 1953 The subsidiary of the Moscow Physics Engineering Institute was opened.
May 9, 1954 Fuel channels were loaded into the First NPP's core. Physical start of the
First NPP.
June 26, 1954 Energetical start of the First NPP.
April 29, 1955 The first experimental 100 W fast breeder BR-1 was started.
March 15, 1956 The decision was made on building Beloyarskaya NPP.
216