UNIVERSITY OF CRAIOVA ROMANIA HABILITATION THESIS ABSTRACT RESEARCH CONCERNING THE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF STRUCTURES BASED ON TRADITIONAL AND SMART MATERIALS APPLIED IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Assoc. Prof. Sonia DEGERATU, PhD Electrical Engineering Faculty University of Craiova 2015
ABSTRACT The current habilitation thesis represents a synthesis of the research activity and results obtained by the candidate following the completion of the PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Craiova, as confirmed by Order of the Minister no. 4900 in November 2002. The research has focused on elaborating new concepts and technical solutions for the optimization of functioning in electrical equipments from the perspective of improving their design, integrating new materials in their production and incorporating advanced technologies. This thesis relies heavily on a number of original contributions resulting from the research activity unfolding at the University of Craiova in collaboration with specialists in the field of Materials engineering, Mathematics and Applied Physics, Chemical engineering and Medical Engineering, Mechanics and Robotics (such as: Gunter Feddern from Du Pont de Nemours International-Switzerland; Ali Siblini and Mon Blanck from Institut Supérieur des Techniques Avancées France; Len Foster from Insulation Systems Laboratory Canada; Nicu G. Bîzdoacă, Petre Rotaru, Sabin Rizescu and Dumitru Bolcu from the Faculty of Automation, Computers and Electronics, Faculty of Physics and Faculty of Mechanics in Craiova respectively, Horia Octavian Manolea and Suzana Danoiu from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Craiova, Gabriela Tonţ from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Oradea, Popa Dorin, Carmen Ungureanu, Stănoi Valerica from ICMET Craiova etc.). The theoretical approach and applicative research unfolding in this period of time have been closely interconnected in this study and the activity has focused intensely on the requirements of the current economic market of the interest domain. As evidence of this stand the 65 research projects (in 30 of which I was the Project Manager [Annex 3]) that have been signed with universities, research institutes or renowned companies in Romania and abroad (Greece, USA, Canada, Italy, France, Turkey, South Coreea etc) and the 34 new technologies and products that have been designed, produced, patented and harnessed in the socio-economic environment so far [Annex 11]. The chapters developed in the current Habilitation Thesis rely on a portion of the author s relevant results, published after the completion and defense of the PhD thesis (7 books, 86 articles, 21 of which have ISI indexing and 34 have IDB indexing). The impact of the published results is demonstrated by the 72 citations (27 in ISI indexed papers and 45 in IDB indexed papers) in the publications of Romanian and foreign specialists. In order to provide an optimized view of the level and quality of the research activity, the current Habilitation Thesis was structured into 6 chapters. The research results published after the completion of the PhD are briefly touched upon in the current thesis by making reference to 2
them without reproducing them fully. Each reference can be verified by referring to Annexes 1 and 3. The original contributions are presented against the background of the current stages of scientific research in the field of Electrical Engineering regarding the topic of the thesis. The first Chapter (A) describes the context of the unfolding research activity and the integrative approach of the research. Chapter (B) of the thesis outlines the research directions I have tackled and the research competences in the direction of developing technologies and design techniques that optimize the functioning of electrical equipments, the production and certification of materials and products and the implementation of new applications in the industry. Chapter (C) presents the results of the research activity on three distinct topical directions that I believed to be relevant. The research carried out in these directions represents a reflection (at national level) of major research subjects that I have found to be of great interest in developed countries as they are currently being included in research programmes worldwide. These directions include innovative technological investigation procedures, materials and products. C1. Insulation systems for rotating electrical machines - Design, implementation, evaluation and certification This initial thematic direction enlarges upon and expands the subject of the PhD thesis. The research relies on the experience gathered in over two and a half decades of activity in this field, activity which became materialized in the design, implementation, certification and release in the production flow of 10 insulation systems for electrical machines and 4 new technologies [Annex 11]. Additionally, the research relied on the experience in the design, implementation, follow up and testing of new generations of electrical machines, on identifying new testing methods and on the elaboration of certification standards for materials and electrical machines. As recognition for the latter activity, I was awarded the Dragomir Hurmuzescu Medal and the Merit Diploma for fruitful and sustained activity in the service of International and Romanian standardization in the field of Electrotechnics and Electronics, issued by the National Romanian Committee for the International Electrotechnical Commission. In the Habilitation Thesis, I have chosen to briefly present the research focused on accomplishing a high-performance class F insulation system, for the stator winding of 6kV induction motors, ranging up to 2500 kw, a system that has been implemented upon certification in Electroputere S.A. Craiova. C2. Polymer-Based Composite Materials for Industrial Applications The second thematic direction emphasizes the original contribution of the author firstly to the development of investigation instruments in the efficient exploitation of polymer composites on the basis of components distribution and, secondly, to the production, evaluation and implementation of a new composite called Rotasteclofirep. The research relies on an experience of over two decades in the domain and is materialized, essentially, in the production and launch in the fabrication flow of 6 products, 4 new technologies [Annex 11], and 6 devices and 3
equipments for determining the features of these materials and for following up their evolution [Annex 13]. C3. Intelligent Structures Based on Shape Memory Alloys The research in this thematic direction was intensified in 2002 and became materialized in: the establishment of a set of analysis methods and numerical modeling for optimal design, prediction and control of shape memory alloy-based actuators; the accomplishment of a number of intelligent structures that are currently integrated in the endowment of specialized laboratories of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and of the Faculty of Automation, Computers and Electronics at the University of Craiova and that are used in the unfolding of practical and research activities with students engaged in graduate and postgraduate studies; the creation of a valuable database (books, articles, video presentations) in this innovative and interesting domain. In chapter (D) I identify the competence domains that are complementary to the field of electrical engineering. Chapter (E) pinpoints the conclusions and sums up the contributions of the author to research, academia, science and teaching. The final Chapter (F) outlines the evolution and development of the career plan. This plan emphasizes the sustained ability to conduct research at a remarkable scientific level, the competence in teaching at academic level and the ability to instantiate and coordinate local and international research projects in the field of Electrical Engineering. The main objectives of the future professional activity were grouped on two directions as follows: 1. Objectives related to the subsequent development of C1, C2 and C3 research directions - Fundamenting a new theory concerning the use of nanocomposites in insulation systems for high voltage induction motors fed from static converters used in variable speed electric drives. The application of the new theoretical advances for the optimization of functioning of system converter - connection cable - high voltage asynchronous motors. - Monitoring and diagnosing the functioning state and the quality of the transformers and electrical machines insulation using various online or offline monitoring techniques; - Identifying technologies that allow the expansion of the feature range of composite materials and the development of composites with multifunctional components; - Developing a complex investigation system for the exploitation of multifunctionality of shape memory alloys with a view to expand their application range; - Developing intelligent structures based on shape memory alloys to increase the energy efficiency of photovoltaic systems; - Identifying, designing and producing applications based on new generations of sensors and actuators; 4
- Investigating new families of ferromagnetic memory alloys using modern techniques and correlating the effort to identify simultaneous control techniques of their superelastic and magnetic properties. 2. Objectives related to the career development within the University of Craiova in the direction of national and international cooperation with the academic and industrial environment - Expanding the research area and the ability to provide counseling and preparation on the thematic directions outlined in C1, C2 and C3. - Expanding the research team by attracting new members who are motivated to engage in doctoral studies in the field of Electrical Engineering. The financial support based on national and international research projects and grants that I coordinate, the existence of research laboratories endowed with modern investigation equipment provide a real support for the education and training at postgraduate level (Masteral and Doctoral) on interdisciplinary directions. - Expanding the collaboration with national and international partners in research projects. - Intensifying the activity of disseminating research findings in the scientific community and in the industrial environment. To conclude, considering the activity unfolded so far at national and international level, I believe the results can be significantly improved by expanding the research team with PhD students under my coordination following up the procurement of the habilitation title with the current Habilitation Thesis. 5