Russian Engineers Build a Digital System to Study Material Properties Without Touch
The Moscow Aviation Institute is developing a contactless optical method to test materials used in high-tech aerospace and industrial applications.
Researchers at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) are building Russia’s first digital system for non-contact material analysis, designed to measure physical and mechanical properties without the need for direct testing instruments. The project is being developed by students of MAI’s Department 602, “Design and Strength of Aerospace and Rocket Structures,” under the supervision of senior lecturer Anton Volkov.
According to MAI student Oleg Kim, the optical method uses a high-speed digital camera to record how a material’s surface changes under mechanical stress.
The system includes two adjustable cameras that can alter shooting angles and a dedicated software suite for image collection and data analysis.
From prototype to production
While digital image correlation (DIC) — the underlying technique — is already widely used worldwide, no domestic systems of this kind are produced in Russia. That’s why the MAI team set out to build a competitive homegrown alternative.
A working prototype is already in place, and researchers are now fine-tuning hardware configurations and software modules to meet specific engineering needs. The first ready-to-use versions could be unveiled by the end of 2026 — potentially providing Russian aerospace and manufacturing industries with a new digital tool for precise material research.
