text: All of V.G. Khlopin's further scientific activity was predetermined by this meeting. In the laboratory founded by Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky, a systematic study of radioactive minerals and rocks was carried out, the search for which in Russia was carried out by expeditions, also organized on his initiative. V. I. Vernadsky was the first Russian scientist who realized the importance of the discovery of radioactivity: "...For us it is not completely indifferent at all how radioactive minerals of Russia will be studied... Now, when mankind is entering a new age of radiant - atomic energy, we, and not others, should know, should find out what the soil of our native country holds in this respect".
  In 1909 V. I. Vernadsky headed the research of radioactivity phenomena in Russia, under his chairmanship the Radium Commission was organized - all the works were united under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences, the Radiological Laboratory was founded, since 1914 the publication of the "Proceedings of the Radium Expedition of the Academy of Sciences" was started. In the mentioned speech V. I. Vernadsky notes the specific features of the new direction of scientific research: "This discovery has produced a huge revolution in the scientific outlook, caused the creation of a new science, different from physics and chemistry - the doctrine of radioactivity, put before life and technology practical tasks of a completely new kind...".
  In 1915, V. I. Vernadsky attracted V. G. Khlopin to work in the Radiological Laboratory. V. G. Khlopin was destined to become the first, and for many years - the leading specialist in the new discipline. But research in the field of radioactivity, study of new radioactive elements already discovered in Russia at that time was still in the state of initial organizational period - there were no domestic radium preparations for laboratory experiments; however, deposits of minerals and ores - raw materials for consistent development of scientific work in this direction, systematic study of radioactive minerals - were already known. The leading experts of the profile - Professors K. A. Nenadkevich and A. E. Fersman - were invited to participate in the present work.
  In the context of mastering the fundamental areas of activity, which for V.G. Khlopin became his life's work, he develops research of scientific and applied aspects, including methods of geochemistry of radioactive elements and noble gases, analytical chemistry and thermodynamics; at the same time, the scientist develops an independent direction, which gave the preconditions for the formation of a scientific school. By the early 1920s, four main lines had emerged, which in turn led to the establishment of an independent school:
  1. radium technology;
  2. chemistry of radioelements and applied radiochemistry; 
  3. geochemistry of radioelements and noble gases;
  4.analytical chemistry.