CEEPUS Tribology BG 0703

Short description, research and educational contributions

The Faculty of Mechanical Technology (FMT) teaches mechanical engineers in four specialties: „Machine Techniques and Technologies”, „Industrial technologies”, “Advanced Industrial Technologies” (in English) and „Computer Aided Design and Technologies in Machine-building”. The education is realized on all three levels: Bachelor, Master and Doctor. FMT is a leading faculty in the Technical University of Sofia in the domain of research and development obtaining many national and international contracts with different state and private companies. A Center for Excellence exists at FMT, which has recently been enlarged in a University Science-Research Complex – USRC with own “School for Doctor’s degree”. Three departments are in the structure of FMT: Material Science and Material Technology, Machine-building Technology and Metal-cutting Machines, Theory of Machines and Mechanisms. There are also the group “Teaching Practice” and Scientific-research laboratories: Simulation Modeling in Industry, Ecological Technologies and Monitoring, CAD, CAM, CAE in Industry; Mechanical Testing; Metallography; Electronic Microscopy; Casting; Welding; Plastic Deformation, Production Technology, Tools and Equipment; Laser Treatment of Materials.

The department “Theory of Machines and Mechanisms” from FMT is authorized in the specialties „Dynamics, Strength and Reliability of Machines, Systems and Apparatuses” and „Theory of Machines and Mechanisms”, and currently there are 19 PhD students. The teaching and R&D activities are carried out in 3 laboratories: Tribology; Dynamics and Tribology of Machines and Micro-electromechanical Systems – MEMS. The subjects are “Theory of Machines and Mechanisms”, “Machine Science” and “Dynamics and Tribology of Machines” for Bachelors and Masters for ten from faculties of the university. One of leading Laboratory of the Department is the “Scientific-Manufacturing Laboratory on Tribology", which realizes also the functions of National Coordination Center in Tribology for the country. The team of Laboratory is working intensively in the field of tribology, quality and reliability of mechanical systems and their activities are closely related to the problems of current project.

The long term ideas that this partner institution is willing to develop within the CEEPUS network focus on:

• Tribology of wear-resistant coatings;

• Application of infrared thermography in the qualifying of tribological processes in mechanical systems.

• Influence of micro- and nanoparticles on the wear-resistance materials.

• Ecological investigations and tribotechnologies for improvement the resource of filters in the automotive transport.

• Effects of selforganization, selective transfer of materials and hydrogen wear in contact systems.

• Application of the contact approach in mechanical systems modeling.