Digital R&D Acceleration: INRTU and Partners Develop Solutions for the National Chemical Industry
INRTU is targeting the development of chemical digitalization tools. A key initiative is its participation in the "Chemical Constructor for Modular Productions" stratproject ("Priority 2030"), where it helps build the OdanChem platform to bridge the gap between laboratory research and full-scale production. Partnering with a major hub for small- to medium-scale chemistry expertise - the Favorsky Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry of the RAS Siberian Branch - the team has delivered the "Lab Journal" module. This tool streamlines workflow by enabling experiment planning, tracking chemicals and yields, automating safety data entry, and controlling inventory. The also-developed "Lab Protocol" module automates reaction calculations and certifies synthesis correctness per GOST standards.
Testing of the developed modules is being conducted by the university's industrial and international partners — Irkutsk Oil Company, National Gas Company - Irkutsk (NGK-Irkutsk), NGK-Tomsk, Biochemical Holding "Orgkhim" Management Company, as well as Tomsk Polytechnic University, Angarsk State Technical University, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, and Dalian University of Technology.
According to the strategic project lead, Denis Chusov — an invited professor at INRTU, head of the Laboratory of Efficient Catalysis at the RAS Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds (INEOS RAS), and a Doctor of Chemical Sciences — the key challenge for Russia's small- to medium-scale chemical sector is to fulfill industry demand for crucial molecules. At present, just 3,000 of the 15,000 basic molecules are manufactured. Automating routine tasks, such as maintaining the lab journal, is a way to speed up this process.
Denis Chusov elaborated on the concept: "The norm has always been to log experimental data on paper or in a simple editor. We envisioned a different approach: a digital journal and protocol system designed to speed up research, minimize data fraud, and boost INRTU's scientific profile.
What we have developed is an integrated toolkit with chemical reaction and safety data. It alerts the user, ensures GOST-compliant documentation, and, uniquely, can even analyze whether the chemist synthesized the intended compound or stumbled upon a novel reaction - a world-first capability.
Already, any chemist in Russia can use the journal's beta version at no cost. INRTU goes further by allocating a free gigabyte of secure storage on a domestic server for each user, preventing the data leakage risks associated with foreign platforms. Next, we'll grant access to advanced modules for the Flotation and Reagent Chemistry Laboratory and the N.I. Yaropolov Department of Chemical Technology, enabling its use for both teaching and commercial R&D," he added.
The platform serves the dual purpose of import substitution for foreign digital tools and providing unique user features. For example, the "Lab Protocol" module can export information directly in the structure required by Russian regulations. Its core audience comprises researchers, specialized students, and commercial firms. A key growth area will be marketing the product to INRTU's partner universities in China, where developers have already run educational seminars for two institutions and received user input.
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