Gennady I. Kanel (1944–2021)

Gennady Isaakovich Kanel (30.06.1944–31.01.2021)

On January 31, 2021, after a serious illness, Gennady Isaakovich Kanel, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Dynamic Processes in Solids and Energy Compositions of the Joint Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences (JIHT RAS), passed away.

Gennady Isaakovich graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Technology of Tomsk State University in 1966. From 1967 to 1988 he worked at the Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Chernogolovka, since 1988—at the JIHT RAS. In 1972 he defended his dissertation as a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, in 1987—his dissertation as a doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, in 2006 he was elected a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

G.I. Kanel was an outstanding specialist in the physics and mechanics of shock waves in condensed matter at high pressures, strength physics, thermal physics, and chemical physics. He was an author of over 300 scientific papers, 7 monographs. Among the most important results:

• Development of experimental methods and carrying out a cycle of studies of strength properties of a wide range of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, etc) at high dynamic pressures;
• Studies of temperature-rate dependences of flow stresses and fracture of metals and alloys in waves of shock compression and adiabatic expansion;
• Development of a method and carrying out a cycle of studies of the kinetics of energy release during detonation of explosives;
• Dynamic fracture of brittle materials.

G.I. Kanel was a laureate of the State Prize of the USSR in 1988, holder of the Medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland 2005, 2013 George E. Duvall Shock Compression Science Award Recipient “For outstanding contribution to the physics of shock waves in condensed matter, discovery and studying anomalous thermal hardening, superheated solid states, failure wave phenomena, investigations of sub-microsecond strength properties of materials over a wide range of load durations and temperatures.”

This is an immeasurable loss for high pressure science and for many of us personally. We will always remember Gennady Isaakovich as a modest and sympathetic senior comrade; we will miss a good friend and wise mentor.

(Contributed by Konstantin Khishchenko)
February 16, 2021