Vasilisa Baranovskaya, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the «Analytica» Association: "Analytical control of rare metals is an important element of the country's advanced deve

On the eve of International Women's Day on March 8 and on the eve of the RAREMET 2026 Congress (Moscow, May 20-22), we talked with one of the most respected women in the world of analytical chemistry, Vasilisa Borisovna Baranovskaya. For more than 20 years, she has been involved in analytical chemistry, metrology and standardization, including in the field of high-purity substances, rare, non-ferrous and precious metals. She is a Doctor of Chemical Sciences, President of the «Analytica» Association of Analytical Centers of Russia, Head of the Center for the Collective Use of Physical Methods for the Study of Substances and Materials at IONKH RAS, Professor at the IONKH RAS and NUST MISIS Scientific and Educational Center, editor-in-chief of the Analytica journal, scientific consultant at the Institute of JSC Giredmet, national representative of Russia in IUPAC and Eurachem.

In the interview, Vasilisa Baranovskaya told us why analytical support requires special attention today when moving from a laboratory sample to industrial production, and what role combining the efforts of science, business and the state can play in solving these questions.

Vasilisa Borisovna, your research interests include the control of the composition of rare metal raw materials, metrology, and work in international organizations for chemistry, metrology, and standardization. In your opinion, which issues of analytical support for technologies and production of rare, rare-earth metals and materials based on them are the most relevant?

Analytical control is an integral part of the most important types of production – chemistry, metallurgy, geology, agriculture, food industry, mechanical engineering, electronics, as well as such areas of human activity as medicine, ecology and others. It combines the achievements of fundamental science – analytical chemistry, applied research in the field of chemical analysis and implements it in the format of conformity assessment. The rare metals industry is the foundation for the creation and application of new functional materials that are in demand in the production of conductors, semiconductors, magnets, superconductors, optical materials, phosphors, structural and nuclear materials, catalysts, sorbents, and more. The quality control of both rare metal raw materials, intermediates, and synthesis and production materials, to a certain extent, has always been a challenge for analysts. The complex, unpredictable composition, high requirements for academic and target purity, the need to use a range of analytical methods to obtain reliable results – we will definitely talk about this at the discussion platforms of the Congress. The infrastructure of laboratories and the system of organization of work with substances and materials of high purity are also important issues. And the tasks of methodological and metrological support of analytical control always remain on the agenda.

The RAREMET 2026 Congress promises to become the largest international platform bringing together geologists, metallurgists, chemical technologists and materials scientists. Vasilisa Borisovna, you are a member of the organizing committee of the Congress and are one of the key speakers. What do you think about its potential as a platform for organizing a constructive dialogue on analytics, standardization and certification?

The potential is high. Due to many circumstances, the professional dialogue on issues of analytical support for production in the rare metal industry, the introduction of advanced analytical methods, and their standardization has somewhat weakened, and approaches are fragmented. The time has come to consolidate science and industry in addressing these pressing challenges. The Congress can become a necessary platform for strengthening collaboration, identifying the most pressing issues in the field of quality, and planning joint actions to radically update the analytical control system in the rare metal industry.

What can you wish the participants of the Congress?

Constructive and fruitful discussions, the expansion of professional horizons, the formation of new scientific and industrial contacts. And, of course, good mood and good health!

Vasilisa Borisovna, thank you for this interesting conversation! On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the RAREMET 2026 Congress, congratulations to all women on the upcoming International Women's Day on March 8th! Thank you for your inspiration, wisdom and invaluable contribution to the development of science and analytical chemistry. We wish you new discoveries, professional victories and a spring mood! And we remind you that we are meeting at the main event of the rare metal industry, the RAREMET 2026 Congress, which will be held on May 20-22 in Moscow. For all those involved in analytical control, metrology and standardization, participation in the exhibition RAREMET: Expo is a unique opportunity to present your developments, equipment and services to the professional community. We are waiting for you at our Congress!