The Board of the Estonian Academy of Sciences confirmed on January 23 the appointment of academician Kalle Kirsimäe as the new editor-in-chief of the Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences. Kirsimäe has been associated with the journal since 2007, initially as an associate editor, and now takes over the editorial leadership from Olle Hints, who served as the editor-in-chief since 2019.

Kalle Kirsimäe is a professor of geology and mineralogy at the University of Tartu and has been a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences since 2018. His primary research focus revolves around the early development of the Earth’s atmosphere-hydrosphere and the reconstruction of related material cycles. In addition, he is involved in applied research projects under the RESTA initiatives, which investigate the potential of Estonian phosphorite, rare metals used in batteries metals, and rare earth element resources.

Kirsimäe has been a member of Academia Europaea since 2022, a member of the Council of the Estonian Geological Survey since 2022, and a member of the editorial board of the journal Oil Shale since 2013.

Photo: Reti Kokk

With deep sadness, we announce that on 21 January 2024, Hillar Aben, the long-time editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences (1995–2007) and the chairman of the Estonian Academy of Sciences Publishing Council (1997–2007), passed away.

Hillar Aben was born on 3 December 1929 in Tartu, into a family of educators. After graduating from Tartu 1st High School (currently Hugo Treffner Gymnasium) in 1948, he enrolled at Tallinn University of Technology, graduating in 1953 as a civil engineer. In the same year, he entered the postgraduate programme, focusing on photoelasticity. In 1957, Hillar Aben defended his candidate dissertation (equivalent to a PhD today) titled ‘Solutions to Crustal Problems Using the Photoelasticity Method’ at the Estonian Academy of Sciences. His research in developing the optical theory of the photoelasticity method continued, leading to the defence of his doctoral dissertation, ‘The Method of Characteristic Directions in Photoelasticity,’ in 1966.

From 1956 to 1960, Hillar Aben worked as a junior researcher at the Estonian Academy of Sciences Institute of Construction and Building Materials. Subsequently, for nearly sixty years, he was associated with the Institute of Cybernetics, where he served as the head of the Mechanics and Applied Mathematics sector (1960–1974), deputy director of the research area (1967–1976), director (1976–1988), head of the Photoelasticity Laboratory (1989–2013), and leading researcher (2005–2016), later serving as a consultant in the Solid Mechanics Laboratory.

Under Hillar Aben’s leadership, the Photoelasticity Laboratory at the Institute of Cybernetics became an internationally renowned centre for research and development, particularly in the measurement of residual stresses inside glass. Together with colleagues, he developed a method and apparatus for determining internal stresses in complex-shaped glass products. This method, based on polariscope technology with sophisticated technical solutions and original software, is employed by nearly a hundred companies worldwide, including all major automotive glass manufacturers.

Hillar Aben’s contributions have been recognised with two Estonian State Science Prizes, including the highest accolade in 2009, the Discovery Prize, as the leader of a team that achieved innovative results. The recognition was for the development and application of the integrated photoelasticity method’s theory, measurement technology, and apparatus for measuring residual stresses in the glass industry.

In 2001, he was awarded the Order of the White Star, III Class, and in 2009, the Nikolai Alumäe Medal. In 2010, the Society for Experimental Mechanics in the United States bestowed upon Hillar Aben its highest honour – an invitation to deliver the William M. Murray Lecture and the accompanying medal.

Hillar Aben was a member of the European Academy of Sciences, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Finnish Academy of Technical Sciences, and several international scientific societies. He worked as a visiting professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada, the University of Poitiers in France, and the Polytechnic Institute of Bari in Italy. In Estonia, he served on the Academic Council of the President of the Republic from 1994 to 2001 and was a member of the State Science Prizes Committee from 1999 to 2002. Additionally, from 1995 to 2007, he served as the editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences.

Photo: collection of the Estonian Academy of Sciences

A former member of the Editorial Board of the Oil Shale, grand old man of oil shale chemistry, researcher and scientist, professor emeritus of the Tallinn University of Technology Leevi Mölder celebrated his 90th birthday on 4 July 2023.

Leevi Mölder was born in Ida-Viru County, the oil shale region of Estonia. All his life has been connected with and dedicated to this natural resource of his home country.

In 1957 Leevi Mölder graduated from the Tallinn University of Technology as an engineer of fuel chemistry and stayed with his alma mater, starting as the head of laboratory (1957–1959). In 1963 he defended the Ph.D. thesis ‘Characteristics and Application of Molecular Complexes of Phenols for Shale Oil Separation’. In 1964 he became a docent, in 1973–1985 he was a professor and head of the Chair of Organic Chemistry, and in 1992–2000 again a professor. In 1983–1988 he headed the laboratory and in 1988–1994 the Department of Oil Shales and Shale Oil at the Institute of Chemistry of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Since 2000 Mölder is professor emeritus.

The main part of his life’s work has been devoted to technical education. He has succeeded in coupling his intense pedagogical and organizational activities with successful research. Oil shale processing and oil shale chemistry are the key spheres of his scientific interests.

Leevi Mölder’s research has focused on the thermodynamic properties of non-electrolyte solutions and their applications in technological processes, especially in the processing of oil shale liquids and the separation of phenols from oil shale. He has improved methods for separating resorcinol derivatives from oil and water, as well as procedures for synthesizing biodiesel. Additionally, he has developed methods for predicting the properties of petroleum product mixtures and for identifying fuel additives.

Mölder’s scientific contribution is more than two hundred scientific publications, including textbooks on organic chemistry and fuels. He is a co-author of the Russian-Estonian and English-Estonian-Russian dictionaries of chemistry, as well as numerous popular science works. Professor Mölder has been awarded many honours for his professional achievements, such as Mente et Manu (1983, 1993) of the Tallinn University of Technology, Paul Kogerman Memorial Medal (1987) of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, 2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 20th Century (1999) and Outstanding People of the 20th Century (2000) issued by the IBC, Cambridge, the American Medal of Honor (2002) and the Order of the White Star, 4th Class (2004).

Recently, Leevi Mölder published an essay titled ‘Gens una sumus’. The following is an excerpt from the essay that reveals Mölder’s dedication to his profession as an educator and researcher. The essay appeared in Mente et Manu, the journal of Tallinn University of Technology.

Gens una sumus – we are one family. This guiding principle adopted by the chess community should be respected also among the academic staff at the university. Among all those who have dedicated themselves to teaching and conducting research, regardless of age and job title. A good educator cannot exist without being a researcher, just as a good researcher cannot do without teaching.

Being a teacher, a university lecturer, with all its charms and pains, is perhaps one of the most challenging professions. It requires not only a broad perspective, knowledge of the subject, communication skills, balance, and empathy but often also the patience and perseverance of a plow ox.

Yet, there is nothing more pleasant than teaching those who want to learn. Then, teaching becomes an intellectual and emotional pleasure – the enthusiasm of young minds inspires the educator, adding freshness of thought and joy of life. Teaching requires the ability to articulate the essence of problems in a clear and smooth language. Therefore, teaching contributes significantly to thinking in science. Indeed, teaching and research are inseparable, like duality.

Teaching requires innate qualities and a unique talent from the educator. One does not learn to be a teacher; one is born a teacher. The absence of this talent cannot be compensated for by dull work. Yet, talent alone does not exempt one from hard work. Knowledge acquired earlier quickly becomes outdated. Thus, an educator must continue learning throughout life, discovering new things. Those who fail to do so, inevitably fall behind in life. Teaching is a process with long-term effects. The teacher influences the future without knowing how far-reaching their impact is.

Research requires persistence and analytical ability from the practitioner. And it also requires emotion and passion. Research demands a million other qualities. Without them, there is no research.

The Editorial Board of the Oil Shale and other colleagues wish Leevi Mölder good health, happiness, and many more years of successful and creative accomplishments.

Photo: collection of Tallinn University of Technology

With deep sadness, we announce that on December 31, 2023, Aili Kogerman, the first and long-time executive editor of the Oil Shale (1990­–2008), passed away.

Aili Kogerman graduated from the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute (now Tallinn University of Technology) with a degree in chemical technology of fuels in 1956. In 1966, she defended her candidate degree in chemical sciences (equivalent to a PhD today) on the topic “Fiber-Forming Copolymers of Acrylonitrile and Methylacrolein”.

After graduating, from 1956 to 1960, Aili Kogerman worked as a chemical engineer in the oil shale industry in Kohtla-Järve. In 1960, she began her career as a researcher at the Estonian Academy of Sciences, continuing as a senior researcher until 1998.

Alongside her scientific work, in 1990 Aili Kogerman started working as the executive editor of the Oil Shale. Through her active involvement, the Oil Shale became a truly international English-language journal on oil shale, especially during the early years of Estonia’s independence. The initial eight years posed financial challenges, with the journal relying on donations from Estonian oil shale companies. Since January 1999, the Oil Shale has been published by the Estonian Academy Publishers.

Kogerman was motivated by a strong belief in the uniqueness of the Estonian oil shale industry, the global significance of Estonian oil shale science, and the opportunity to publish and disseminate it worldwide through her journal. Largely thanks to Kogerman’s initiative, the Oil Shale was indexed in ISI Journal Publications in 1994, including the esteemed Current Contents.

Aili Kogerman retired from her position as the editor-in-chief in 2008.

Aili Kogerman was also notable for popularising household and consumer chemistry. She authored several books in this field. As the daughter-in-law of Paul Kogerman, the founder of Estonian oil shale chemistry, Aili contributed to introducing Paul Kogerman’s life and works through various articles and as a compiler of the memorial book “Paul Kogerman ja tema aeg” (“Paul Kogerman and his time”, in Estonian).

Aili Kogerman was honored with the Koosmeele Award (the Concord Award of the Open Estonia Foundation) in 1999 for her contributions to the development of an open society in Estonia and beyond, fostering mutual understanding among people living in Estonia and building a common future. In 2000, Kogerman was awarded the Order of the Estonian Red Cross, II Class.

The Oil Shale expresses its condolences to Aili Kogerman’s family and remembers her as a cherished colleague.

Photo: Chemist Kogermann, Aili (VK F 1077:1 F); Võrumaa Muuseum, http://www.muis.ee/en_GB/museaalview/1075106

This year the AEUP conference “Publishing in Nervous Times” took place in Tallinn, Estonia on May 16–17, 2023.

AEUP is a network of scholarly presses and publishing initiatives across Europe who are affiliated with a university or an academic institution. The Association of European University Presses aims to enhance the visibility of member presses, facilitate communication between them, share knowledge about and support for scholarly publishing. The Association of European University Presses has 48 members from 18 countries.

Association of European University Presses (AEUP) is a network of scholarly presses and publishing initiatives across Europe who are affiliated with a university or an academic institution. The Association of European University Presses aims to enhance the visibility of member presses, facilitate communication between them, share knowledge about and support for scholarly publishing. The Association of European University Presses has 48 members from 18 countries. Read more about EAUP.

This year the AEUP conference “Publishing in Nervous Times” will take place in Tallinn, Estonia on May 16–17, 2023.

The Al-Balqa Applied University in Jordan is planning to organize its 3rd International Oil
Shale Conference (BAU-OSC-3) from 17 to 19 October 2023 in Jordan. The Conference
was deferred from being organized in 2021 due to the pandemic, COVID-19.
Since then, no conferences or workshops have been organized solely on oil shale research
advancement and updates. This Conference would provide a platform for researchers,
technologists, businessmen and decision-makers to meet in one place.
The Conference will cover recent trends in oil shale research and application and a wide range
of topics in oil shale knowledge, in addition to other related subjects such as:
•          Oil Shale Processing
•          Oil Shale and Shale Oil Properties
•          Chemistry and Geochemistry
•          Geology and Stratigraphy
•          Modeling and Catalysis
•          Chemicals from Shale Oil
•          Shale Oil Upgrading
•          Combustion and Environmental Impact
•          Advances in Oil Shale Retorting Technologies
•          Mining and Mining Technologies
•          Oil Shale, Semicoke and Ash Volarization
•          Socioeconomic Impact and Policy
•          Resource Evaluation
•          Assessment of Oil Shale Options
•          Groundwater Control and Management
•          Health and Environmental Risk
•          Economics and Finance

Scientists from the Department of Energy Technology, Tallinn University of Technology will contribute by participating in the work of the Scientific Committee.

The Conference website is https://www.bau.edu.jo/conf/oilshale/Home.html on which the important
information regarding topics, important dates, fees, visa requirements, etc., is provided. With any
additional information required, the researcher may write directly to the Chairman of the Conference
through the Conference email: bau.oilshaleconf@bau.edu.jo

We announce with deep sadness that on 2 January 2023, Academician Ülo Lille, a Grand Estonian Chemist, passed away. His death is a great loss to the Estonian scientific community. His outstanding scientific results substantially contributed to the field of active bioregulators, such as prostaglandins, and even more fundamentally, to the chemical nature and structure of the Estonian oil shale kukersite.

Ülo Lille was born on 16 September 1931 in Pärnu County, to a farmer family. In 1950 he graduated cum laude from Rapla Secondary School and in 1955, also cum laude, from the Department of Chemistry and Mining, Tallinn Polytechnic Institute (now Tallinn University of Technology). Thereafter he worked two years as foreman and technologist at Kiviõli Oil Shale Chemical Integrated Plant. In 1957–1959 Ülo Lille was enrolled on a postgraduate programme of Tallinn Polytechnic Institute and then got a position of senior researcher in the newly established Oil Shale Institute in Kohtla-Järve.

In 1960 Ülo Lille defended the Candidate degree (now PhD) in pyrolysis of oil shale. He pioneered the application of spectral methods and gas chromatography in research of the composition and genesis of oil shale.

In 1973 Ülo Lille defended the Doctor degree in Chemistry (Doctor of Sciences) on alkyl resorcinols. In 1975 he started to work at the Institute of Chemistry of the Estonian Academy of Sciences as a Head of Laboratory and later a Head of Department of Prostanoid Chemistry. He is a pioneer of

a new topic – chemistry, biochemistry and technology of prostaglandins in Estonia. Under his supervision the biotechnology of producing prostaglandins was developed and introduced at the Pilot Plant of the Institute, and also the asymmetric total chemical synthesis of prostaglandins was initiated.

In 1983 Ülo Lille was elected a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, and in 1984 he got a professorship at the Academy.

Ülo Lille has published more than 200 scientific publications. His last article “From the molecules of resorcinolic lipids to alga G. Prisca globular colonies in kukersite microfossils: a multiscale simulation study“ appeared in Oil Shale in 2020 (Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 281–287). In this article, he is describing the oil shale kerogen as follows: “The term “kukersite“ was first used by Prof. M. Zalessky from St. Petersburg in 1917. This term is currently used for all Ordovician (formed 500 million years ago) kerogens. Prof.

M. Zalessky interpreted the micro particles found in kerogen from Kukruse as a remnant from the organism Gloeocapsamorpha Prisca’ks. … The image of a microorganism Graptolit from the Ordovician period is on the front cover of our Oil Shale journal. … It was essential to study together the products of thermal destruction of kerogen and the formed phenols with all contemporary methods”.

On the basis of his work, and also of Prof. Blokker from the Netherlands a model of the primary structure of kerogen – the Lille-Blokker model – has been developed. Ülo Lille studied also the 3D structure of kerogen particles for a particle C421H638O44S4NCl with MW 6581 optimizing the structure by

MM+ computational modelling. He got a good coincidence of the model with

¹³C NMR spectral data.

For his outstanding work Ülo Lille has been honoured with many awards. The following is to name some of these. In 1987 he and his research group was awarded the Estonian State Award on Science for the developments in prostaglandin research and production; in 1991 the Estonian Academy of Sciences honoured him with the Academy Medal; in 2001 he was honoured with the Order of the White Star from Estonian President; in 2011 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for Science and Development from the Estonian State.

The Oil Shale journal joins in grief with the family of Academician Ülo Lille and will remember him as a heartfelt colleague, who was always happy for the achievements and progress of younger colleagues, understanding well that science is driven by ideas rather than by administrative bureaucracy.

Oil Shale has its reference templates available in many of the most popular reference management software products, such as Zotero, Mendeley, Papers etc. These software products support Citation Style Language styles. Using citation plug-ins from these products, authors only need to select the appropriate journal template when preparing their article, after which citations and bibliographies will be automatically formatted in the journal’s style.

Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences has its reference templates available in many of the most popular reference management software products, such as Zotero, Mendeley, Papers etc. These software products support Citation Style Language styles. Using citation plug-ins from these products, authors only need to select the appropriate journal template when preparing their article, after which citations and bibliographies will be automatically formatted in the journal’s style.