Evgeny P. Velikhov (1935-2024)

TL;DR

This paper reviews the life and scientific contributions of Evgeny P. Velikhov, highlighting his formulation of the magnetorotational instability theory, his advisory roles, and his collaborations on experimental testing and energy solutions.

Contribution

It details Velikhov's development of the magnetorotational instability theory and his involvement in experimental and practical applications related to nuclear energy.

Findings

Formulated the magnetorotational instability theory in 1959

Collaborated on laboratory experiments testing the theory

Proposed small nuclear power plants for global energy solutions

Abstract

The master student at Lomonosov University in Moscow E.P. Velikhov formulated 1959 the theory of magnetorotational instability, which dominates current astrophysics. A meteoric career made him later the science, nuclear and disarmament advisor to Gorbachev and Yeltsin. This article describes the interactions between Velikhov and the PROMISE team from Potsdam and Dresden-Rossendorf when it came to experimentally testing the theory in the laboratory in the 2000s. At an MHD conference in Catania, Sicily, he offered the public the use of small, transportable Russian nuclear power plants anywhere in the world until the fusion machines currently under development had finally solved the energy problem.