Outstanding Alumni of Karazin University: Physico-Chemist, Metal Scientist, Academician Ivan Frantsevych

Ivan Frantsevych was a physiсo-chemist and materials scientist.

He was born into the family of a worker in Poltava. In 1929, he simultaneously graduated from the School of Chemistry and the School of Physics and Mathematics of Kharkiv Institute of Public Education. In 1928–1929, he began to work at the Ukrainian Institute of Measures and Measuring Instruments and the Institute of Metals (Kharkiv). In 1934, the 29-year-old scientist became a professor at Kharkiv University, Head of the Department of Physical Chemistry. In the same year, he was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. During 1937–1941, he headed the section of the Kharkiv Research Institute of Chemistry at the University. He later worked at the Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and at Kyiv State University.

In 1955, he organized the Institute of Metal Ceramics and Special Alloys of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, now the I. M. Frantsevych Institute for Materials Science Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. He was the editor-in-chief of the journal «Powder Metallurgy». In 1961, Ivan Frantsevych was awarded the degree of Doctor of Chemical Sciences for his works. In the same year, he was elected an academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR.

Ivan Frantsevych’s scientific works focus on physical and chemical analysis, metallurgy and powder metallurgy. In particular, he worked on creating materials with high fire resistance, electroerosion resistance, strength and wear resistance and designed for work in particularly difficult conditions.

In total, the scientist is the author of more than 600 articles and 20 monographs, received more than 60 copyright certificates and 14 patents. He became a laureate of the State Prizes of the Ukrainian SSR and the USSR. In 1965, he was awarded the title of Merited Worker of Science and Technology of the USSR, and in 1969, he was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor.

Since 1987, Ukrainian scientists have been awarded the I. M. Frantsevych Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for outstanding scientific work in the field of physical materials science.