Ioana Monica Sas-Boca | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on 11/07/202511/07/2025 by Citation Awards

Ioana Monica Sas-Boca | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Ioana Monica Sas-Boca, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca Materials Science and Engineering Department, Romania

Dr. Ioana Monica Sas-Boca is a Romanian academic and researcher affiliated with the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, where she serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. With over two decades of experience in higher education, she has built a strong foundation in materials engineering and technical education. Known for her active role in didactic and research activities, Dr. Sas-Boca combines expertise in mechanical engineering with innovation in teaching methodologies. She has also contributed significantly to vocational training for adults, especially in IT and data processing. Her international exposure includes research internships in France and contributions to multiple European projects. Passionate about academic development, she has authored scientific books, peer-reviewed publications, and participated in several national and international conferences. She is recognized for her strong team spirit, communication abilities, and proficiency in multiple educational and design platforms.

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Sas-Boca holds a PhD in Engineering (2012) from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, with a thesis on using friction force in compaction processes. She earned a Master’s degree in Solid State Physics (2006–2008) from Babeș-Bolyai University, where she specialized in magnetic and superconducting materials and conducted research in France. Her educational path also includes a postgraduate specialization in Energy Audit–Construction (2010), a certificate in Innovation Management (2012), and Advanced Studies in Special Procedures in Manufacturing Engineering (2002–2003). Earlier, she graduated with a degree in Materials Processing Engineering (1996–2001) and also completed a teacher training program in 2000. Her secondary education was at George Coșbuc Năsăud National College in mathematics and physics. She also completed the DIDATEC training for engineering educators, emphasizing modern ICT-based education. Dr. Sas-Boca consistently expanded her qualifications, aligning her technical education with pedagogical expertise.

💼 Experience

Dr. Sas-Boca began her academic journey in 2001 as a full-time PhD student involved in didactic and research activities at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. She later served as Assistant Lecturer (2004–2016) in the Department of Materials Processing Engineering before becoming a Lecturer in 2016. Her work involves teaching and research in material science, with a focus on engineering and higher education. Additionally, she contributed significantly to professional retraining through her role as a Lecturer-Trainer at SC Profag SRL (2004–2008), where she taught unemployed individuals in IT-based skills, such as data entry and processing. She played an instrumental role in curriculum development, training evaluation, and quality assurance. Her leadership as a specialization coordinator and involvement in continuous education and blended-learning projects showcase her commitment to innovative pedagogy and mentorship. Dr. Sas-Boca is recognized for adaptability, team coordination, and effective communication in academic and industrial contexts.

🏆 Honors and Awards

Dr. Ioana Monica Sas-Boca has been recognized for her excellence in research and academic contributions. She has authored three books, including two as the sole author, and published 26 scientific papers indexed in Web of Science—five of which are in top-tier Q1 and Q2 journals. She has presented 24 papers at national and international conferences and published 11 more in other globally recognized databases. Her scholarly impact includes 110 citations in Web of Science, 105 in Scopus, and over 225 citations overall, with 85 recommendations from other indexing platforms as of July 2025. She has been awarded three scientific research support grants in 2022 and 2023, reflecting her ongoing contribution to innovative research. Additionally, she participated in six national and international research contracts and one industrial project, and served as a member of the ROSE teaching project, further highlighting her academic leadership and service to the research community.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Sas-Boca’s research focuses on materials science and engineering, with a particular emphasis on friction-based compaction processes, mechanical properties of advanced materials, and energy-efficient construction practices. Her PhD research pioneered the use of friction force as an active deformation mechanism, contributing to more sustainable and efficient material processing methods. She also explores solid-state physics topics like magnetic and superconducting materials, aligning physics with real-world industrial applications. Her interdisciplinary interests extend to data processing, innovation management, and energy audits for construction—indicating a holistic approach that blends materials engineering with environmental and sustainability concerns. Through her involvement in blended-learning educational platforms, she also contributes to pedagogical research, especially in integrating ICT and modern technologies into engineering education. Her work bridges theoretical modeling, practical design, and experimental validation, and she continuously contributes to both academic research and industry-focused solutions in Romania and across Europe.

📚 Publications

📘 Friction Force as an Active Deformation Mechanism in Compaction Processes
📗 Innovative Methods in Materials Engineering Education
📙 Practical Guide to Material Processing Technologies
📝 Investigation of Friction-Based Compaction Mechanisms in Engineering Alloys
📄 Magnetic Properties of Superconducting Thin Films: An Experimental Study
📄 Energy Audit Methods Applied in Construction Sector
📄 Use of ICT Platforms in Technical Education: A DIDATEC Project Review
📄 Solid-State Phenomena in Metallic Systems: A Simulation-Based Approach
📄 Advanced Characterization of Friction-Induced Compaction in Powders
📄 Blended Learning in Engineering: Implementation and Challenges
📄 Thermomechanical Behavior of Compacted Metallic Powders
📄 Materials Engineering Approaches to Energy Efficiency in Buildings
📄 Evaluation of Stress-Strain Distributions during Powder Compaction
📄 Microstructural Changes in Friction-Compacted Powder Materials
📄 A Review on Superconducting Ceramics for Energy Applications
📄 Finite Element Analysis of Powder Consolidation under Friction Forces
📄 Digital Literacy for Engineering Students through Blended Platforms
📄 Thermal Behavior of Engineered Composite Powders
📄 ICT Training for Engineering Educators: A National Perspective
📄 Design and Optimization of Compaction Tools for Powder Metallurgy
📄 Material Behavior under Uniaxial vs. Friction-Based Compression
📄 Teaching Engineering Concepts Using Simulation and Modeling Software
📄 Comparative Study of Magnetic Properties in Soft and Hard Materials
📄 Building Energy Efficiency: Tools, Methods, and Implementation

Muhammad Shahab | Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Published on 30/04/202530/04/2025 by Citation Awards

Muhammad Shahab | Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Mr Muhammad Shahab, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, KFUPM, Saudi Arabia

Muhammad Shahab is a motivated robotics and control systems researcher currently pursuing his MSc in System and Control Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. With a background in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, he has consistently demonstrated a passion for innovation in autonomous systems, fault-tolerant control, and cyber-physical systems. He has contributed to multiple high-impact research projects and publications, particularly in mobile robotics and intelligent control algorithms. His academic journey is marked by scholarships, competitive projects, and technical achievements that reflect his commitment to advancing technology in robotics and automation. With strong programming and problem-solving skills, Muhammad is well-equipped to handle complex engineering challenges. He actively contributes to the academic community through teaching assistantships, publications, and collaborative research. His future vision revolves around developing resilient, adaptive autonomous systems with real-world applications in smart industries and transportation.

Publication Profile

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Education

Muhammad Shahab is currently enrolled in the Master of Science (MSc) program in System and Control Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, under a fully funded scholarship. His graduate coursework includes advanced subjects such as Linear Multivariable Control, Nonlinear Control, System Identification, Advanced Robotics, and Machine Learning, with a CGPA of 3.607. Earlier, he earned his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Pakistan, in 2021 with a CGPA of 3.4. His undergraduate training focused on Mechatronic System Design, Robotics, Control Systems, and Embedded Systems. He was also awarded the Prime Minister’s Laptop for academic excellence. His educational background blends mechanical design, electronics, and intelligent control, forming a strong foundation for robotics and automation research. He has also participated in numerous technical projects, showcasing his practical grasp of engineering systems and real-time implementation.

Experience

Muhammad Shahab has a rich blend of academic and industrial experience. Currently, he is a Teaching Assistant at KFUPM for the course “Path Planning and Navigation for Mobile Robots,” where he supports students with algorithms, assignments, and conceptual understanding. As a Research Assistant at KFUPM, he is working on a review paper related to prognostics and diagnosis of machine tools in Industry 5.0. Previously, he completed internships at three different engineering firms in Pakistan: Mir Engineering Pvt. Ltd., where he worked on solar water systems; Shama Ghee Pvt. Ltd., focusing on boiler house operations and motor maintenance; and Pakistan Locomotive Factory, gaining insights into CNC machining and locomotive systems. Additionally, his undergraduate projects, including a 3D wire bending machine and autonomous vehicle control, reflect a practical grasp of real-world systems. His roles consistently demonstrate a focus on automation, robotics, control, and diagnostics, contributing to both learning and innovation.

Awards and Honors

Muhammad Shahab has received notable academic recognitions throughout his educational journey. At KFUPM, he is a recipient of a fully funded scholarship for his MSc studies in System and Control Engineering, a testament to his academic excellence and research potential. During his undergraduate studies at UET Peshawar, he was awarded the Prime Minister’s Laptop as part of a government merit-based initiative for high-achieving students. Additionally, his Final Year Project, an Automatic 3D Wire Bending Machine, was funded by the National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative (NGIRI) — a prestigious acknowledgment aimed at supporting impactful student innovations in Pakistan. These awards not only underscore his technical competence but also his ability to apply engineering knowledge to real-world problems. His continuous involvement in funded projects and competitive academic environments highlights his dedication to advancing his expertise in robotics, intelligent control systems, and industrial automation.

Research Focus

Muhammad Shahab’s research interests revolve around the intersection of robotics, control theory, and intelligent fault-tolerant systems. His work emphasizes robust and adaptive control for autonomous systems, including mobile robots and self-driving vehicles. He is particularly focused on cyber-physical systems where real-time responsiveness and reliability are critical. His research includes data-driven techniques like Q-learning and machine learning for predictive diagnostics and fault-tolerance, ensuring resilient operation in uncertain environments. His recent contributions explore formation control of wheeled mobile robots, trajectory tracking in autonomous lane changes, and sensor fusion under varying environmental conditions. He also delves into predictive maintenance strategies within the scope of Industry 5.0, contributing to the evolution of smart industrial systems. Through both simulation and hardware-based projects, Muhammad aims to bridge theoretical advancements with practical applications, building systems that are not only autonomous but also intelligent, self-correcting, and suitable for deployment in safety-critical domains like transportation and manufacturing.

Publication Top Notes

📄Particle Swarm Optimization tuned PID Control of Hybrid Renewable Energy-based Multi-area Power System – IEEE CyberScience Congress, 2023
📄 Trajectory Tracking Control for Lane Change Maneuvers in Autonomous Vehicles – ICARCV 2024 (Accepted)
📄 A Data-Driven Fault-Tolerant Approach for Mobile Robots Using Q-Learning and Regression – IEEE Conference (Under Preparation)
📄 Formation Control of Wheeled Mobile Robots with Fault Tolerant Capabilities – Robotics MDPI (Accepted, March 2025)
📄 State of the Art and Future Trends in Predictive Maintenance in the Context of Industry 5.0 – International Journal of Production Research (Under Review)
📄 A Comprehensive Survey on Formation Control of Mobile Robots: From Classical to Intelligent Fault-Tolerant Strategies – Annual Review of Control (Under Preparation)
📄 Impact of Environmental Conditions on Sensor Fusion, Motion Planning, and Control of Autonomous Vehicles – International Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems Research (Under Review)