The Institute was founded in 1956 for conducting fundamental research in the area of operating principles, design and construction of machines used for energy conversion in flows. Currently, research is carried out in the following areas: fluid mechanics, multiphase flows, thermodynamics and heat transfer, combustion, plasma physics, laser technology, machine mechanics, mechanics of smart structures, technical diagnostics, tribology, aeroelasticity and other fields of engineering and technical sciences. The Institute is authorised to confer the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science (habilitation) in the field of engineering and technical sciences in the discipline of mechanical engineering. In addition to fundamental research, the Institute offers research services related to practical engineering problems concerning: turbines and microturbines, pumps, compressors, fans, ship propellers, renewable energy sources, design of machinery and equipment, calculations and technical expert opinions, design of unique equipment and measuring apparatus.