The Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine and the Department of Materials Science of the NAS of Ukraine sadly announce that on May 12, at the age of 97, the outstanding Ukrainian scientist in the field of aviation materials science, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Oleksandr Fedotovych Aksyonov passed away.
Oleksandr Fedotovych was born on October 13, 1929. In 1953, he graduated from the Kyiv Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers (now the National Aviation University), with which he was connected for decades of fruitful work, starting from assistant to rector of this prestigious educational institution (1975–1988). Professor O.F. Aksyonov became the founder of a well-known scientific school in the field of aviation materials science, friction and wear resistance of metals, chemmotology, and tribology. His fundamental and applied research was devoted to studying the influence of the chemical composition of low-molecular hydrocarbon liquids and gases dissolved in them on the processes of friction and wear of metals.
The scientist's achievements in studying wear processes in fuel and lubricating environments gained worldwide recognition and significantly improved the reliability, durability, and safety of aviation equipment operation. For his significant contribution to the development of materials science, in 1976 O.F. Aksyonov was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. Throughout many years of his activity as part of the Department of Materials Science of the NAS of Ukraine, he actively participated in coordinating scientific research, trained a whole generation of highly qualified specialists – 29 candidates and 2 doctors of sciences, and left behind 150 scientific works, including 14 monographs, textbooks, and 29 certificates of authorship and patents for inventions.
Oleksandr Fedotovych was always distinguished by his intelligence, integrity, exceptional diligence, wisdom, and kind attitude towards people, which earned him boundless respect and authority in scientific circles.
The bright memory of the outstanding scientist, wise teacher, patriot of Ukrainian science, and noble person will forever remain in the hearts of colleagues, students, and the entire academic community.
We express our deepest condolences to the family, relatives, friends, students, and colleagues of the deceased.
Eternal and bright memory to Oleksandr Fedotovych Aksyonov.