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Nikolay I. Leonyuk (1941-2020)

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Nikolay I. Leonyuk (21 Nov 1941 – 24 May 2020), D.Sc. in Chemistry & Materials Science. Professor and Scientific Advisor of Crystallography & Crystal Growth Laboratory, Geological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Distinguished Professor of Moscow University.

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His research primarily concerned the growth of crystals, crystallography, crystal chemistry, crystal physics of minerals and synthetic materials. Since the seventies, the focus has been on anhydrous borates, and the study of these crystals has revealed several important new physical effects. This made it possible to grow borate single crystals with sufficiently large sizes and high homogeneity and to consider some of the grown crystals as multifunctional materials for modern applications: laser and nonlinear optical crystals with high efficiency, new laser media with a double function and the possibility of tuning, piezoelectric, acoustoelectric, etc. etc. His interests included crystal growth and structure-property relationships in borate systems, as well as in other compounds: borosilicates, silicates, phosphates (berlinite), cuprates (high-temperature superconductors), tantalates, oxides. like corundum (ruby), alexandrite, calcite, quartz, diamond. He developed the principles of the relationship between the growth conditions, composition, structure and properties of these crystals. Also, a crystal-chemical approach was developed to optimize the conditions for crystal growth in complex systems and to search for new minerals and their artificial analogs for science and modern applications.

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Lomonosov Moscow State University Note

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Publications:

  • total - over 700,

  • books - 7,

  • patents - 10.

 

Teaching:

  • Two long-term courses of lectures on the crystal growth for students-crystallographers of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th academic years at the MSU – “CRYSTAL GROWTH: Theory & Methods”(bachelor students), CRYSTAL GROWTH: Low-dimensional crystalline materials” (Master students);

  • Course of lectures and laboratory works "Crystal Growth of Gem Stones" for students-gemmologists of the MSU.

 

Professional Activities:

  • 1972 - 1985: Senior Scientist (MSU)

  • 1985 - 1988: Principal Scientist and Head of laboratory (MSU)

  • 1988 – 2021: Professor and Head of laboratory (MSU)

 

Fellowships:

  • 1995 - International Studies & Programs, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA;

  • 1997 - NATO-CNR, University of Parma, Italy;

  • 1998/1999 - Cariplo Foundation, University of Milan, Italy;

  • 1999 - Ministry of Education of P.R.China, Shandong University;

  • 2004 - Visiting Research Scholar Award Macquarie University Research Development Grant Scheme Round 2, Sydney, Australia;

  • 2004 China;

  • 2004/2005 and 2009/2010 - Cariplo Foundation, Politecnico di Milano, Italy.

 

Honours and Memberships:

  • Member of the IUCr, since 1976;

  • Member of the Russian Mineralogical Society, since 1978;

  • Soros Professor, 1997, 1998, 1999;

  • Medal “850 Years of Moscow Foundation”, 1997;

  • Laureate of Competition in the field of natural science “Grant of Moscow”, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005.

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Prof. Nikolay I. Leonyuk was very active in Russian and international crystal growth communities. He was passionate about crystal growth and was a leader in growth of borate crystals. I will miss his friendly remarks at the conferences and meetings. He made a strong effort to develop the collaboration between Russian and international communities. Nick believed in exchange of information in basic science.

 

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He was a warm and open person and he will be missed genuinely.

Hanna Dabkowska, Vice President, IOCG

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Sorry to hear about Prof. Nikolay Leonyuk. I did not know him ...but we should remain aware of the historical development in our field and the people involved.

Elias Vlieg, Vice President, IOCG

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This is very bad news. I knew personally Prof. Leonyuk not only through his participation to ICCGE conferences but also because he visited the Centre for X-Ray Diffractometry of my University (University of Parma) several times.
Even more sad to know that he actually passed way nearly one year ago and no news arrived through the community.
Some of you may remember that one of his pupils, Dr Viktor Maltsev was awarded the Schieber Prize in 2010 in Beijing.

 

My condolences to Russian crystal growth and crystallography community.

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Roberto Fornari, Past- President, IOCG

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My sincere condolences to his family and Russian community of Crystal Growth. Great loss to our community!

Koichi KAKIMOTO, President, IOCG

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I am very sorry to hear this. I very much enjoyed his company.

Tom Kuech, Past Editor in Chief, Journal for Crystal Growth

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I am very sad to hear this. Nikolay was a good friend. I will miss corresponding with him and his wonderful smile. Both being oxide crystal growers, we had many interactions.

Peace

Vince Fratello, Executive Committee Member, IOCG

 

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I am very very sorry to hear that our good friend Prof. Nikolay Leonuk passed away. He had visited us many times and we had a very close cooperation for growing Borate self-frequency-doubling crystals. I have had a very good personal relationship with him. It is a great loss to our community!

 

I would like to express our sincere condolences to his family and Russian community of Crystal Growth.

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Jiyang WANG , Executive Committee Member, IOCG.

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