THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE ATMOSPHERE was founded in 1991. The staff of 11 members includes 1 Doctor of Science and 5 Candidates of Science. The main directions of research are as follows: - problems of environmental protection and rational utilization of natural resources; - problems of migration and concentration of chemical elements on natural and technological geochemical landscapes: - forecasting and prospecting mineral deposits using geochemical methods; - problems of metal accumulation by plants under different landscape and geochemical conditions. THE RESEARCH AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY OFFICE "PIEZOPRIBOR" established in 1976 has 320 staff members including 7 Candidates of Science. The main directions of research are: - studies aimed at creating plezoceramic materials characterized by Stability, a wide range of working temperatures, resistance to mechanical forces, high efficiency of electronic transformation; - development of a new type of piezoelectric pickoffs for vibrbmetry, defectoscopy, holography and acoustics; - creation of non-polluting equipment for the production of piezoceramics, controlling, measuring and testing equipment for piezoelectric transformers and pickoffs. THE NORTH CAUCASIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS was founded in 1986. 46 researchers including 2 Doctors of Science and 18 Candidates of Science do research in the following main directions: - theoretical and empirical studies of reproductional relations in the region, of radical reforms of national economy mechanism in both industry and agriculture, problems of marketing and exportimport operations; - development and geography of production forces in the North Caucasian economic region; - socio-ecological monitoring; - sociological studies of labour, personnel training and public opinion; - analysis of the problems of history, culture and relations between nations in the North Caucasus; - complex social and economic studies of scientific and technological progress, research and education.