Belarusians Contributing to the World Science and Technology Development (Moses Higerovich)

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Laureate of the State Prize, an outstanding scientist in the field of building materials science, inventor.

M.Higerovich was born on July 6, 1897 in Minsk. In 1915 he entered the Chemical Department of the Moscow Industrial School, where he studied three and a half years. In 1918, he left the school and worked as a technician in various industries for three years.

In 1922, M.Higerovich enrolled at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics later transformed into the Chemistry Faculty of Moscow State University, and graduated in 1929.

In 1944, by decision of the USSR government the Construction and Technology Faculty was created at the MISI named after V.V.Kuibyshev. M.Higerovich was the first dean appointed to head the faculty (from 1944 to 1948). In 1955, he defended his Doctor’s thesis, and in 1958 he was awarded the title of Professor.

M.Higerovich is rightfully considered an outstanding scientist in the field of cements and concrete modification, which is the result of a brilliant fundamental education obtained in Moscow State University named after M.V.Lomonosov. He developed the theory of hydrophobic and plastic characteristics of additives. Based on this theory, a number of hydrophobic-plasticizing complex additives to be put into the concrete mixture with water dissolution and using other methods were created. The invention of the hydrophobic cement was a revolutionary step, since during the exploration of the Far North and other remote territories the import of all types of materials was performed only during the summer season. Moreover, the structures based on it were more reliable and durable due to the low specific surface of the hydrophobic cement particles resulting from relatively coarse grinding.

M.Higerovich brought up many students who later became prominent scientists – A.P. Merkin, V.I. Solovyov, V.E. Bayer and others. He was the author of 30 certificates for inventions, wrote more than 250 works including scientific articles, monographs, textbooks.

He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, and numerous medals.

Sourced from the database of the Republican Library on Science and Technology.