Research on improving the durability of disc harrows by plasma jet thermal coatings

Cognitive Impact

Development and Consolidation of Scientific Competencies

Direct access for Moldavianresearchers to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and advanced methodologies in the field of thermal coatings for agricultural components. Moldavianresearchers will benefit from continuous training through interaction with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in complementary fields, including materials engineering, tribology, microstructural analysis, and characterization by X-ray diffraction.

Knowledge Transfer and Innovative Methodology

Internship placements enable the direct transfer of know-how in the use of specialized equipment, such as the Sulzer Metco 9MCE plasma jet deposition system, SEM-FEI Quanta 200 electron microscopy, and the Panalytical X-ray diffractometer. This represents a significant cognitive advantage for Moldavianresearchers, who will be able to apply these technologies within their own institutions.

Development of International Research Capacity

Bilateral collaboration contributes to the strengthening of research capacity at the international level through mandatory participation in international conferences, publication of ISI-indexed articles with an impact factor greater than 2, and the integration of Moldavianresearchers into established international scientific networks in which Romania is already involved.

Socio-Economic Impact

Consolidation of bilateral collaboration: Through the continuous exchange of knowledge and experience, both institutions (TUIASI-UTM) benefit from a comparative perspective on research in materials engineering.

Technology transfer: Moldovian researchers can transpose the results and methodology to the Republic of Moldova, thereby contributing to the development of local research capacity in agricultural application domains.

Increased international prestige: The publication of joint articles and participation in international conferences strengthen the reputation of both institutions.

Economic and Applied Impact

Agricultural applications: Metallic and ceramic coatings applied to agricultural components, will be evaluated under real operating conditions and subsequently transferred to the agricultural sector.

Component reconditioning: This technology enables the reconditioning of worn components through thermal deposition, thereby reducing both production costs and energy consumption associated with manufacturing new parts.

Workshop with the business environment: In the second phase of the project, a dedicated workshop will be organized with economic stakeholders and agricultural centers to support technology transfer, with participation from Moldova, thus facilitating practical adoption of the proposed solution.

Impact on Young Human Resources

A significant socio-economic outcome of the project is its contribution to the training and development of highly qualified young researchers through the use of advanced technologies and the transfer of know-how from experienced specialists.

Moldovian researchers, especially doctoral students participating in visits of 30–40 days, will benefit from: mentoring by researchers with recognized expertise, including Prof. Corneliu Munteanu, who has over 195 ISI-indexed publications and an h-index above 20; practical training in the application of modern research methodologies; professional development that will support their reintegration into the Moldovan research system in positions of consolidated researcher.