Applied Physics and Mechanical Science Research Center

Robotics and mechanisms research group
Demonstrative Educational Tools Research Group
Holonic Manufacturing Systems Research Group
Nanotechnology and Materials Science Research Group
Gears research group

Robotics and mechanisms research group

Our research group is actively engaged in advanced research and development across mechatronics, robotics, and agricultural engineering. A central focus of our work is the dynamic modeling of complex systems using modern frameworks such as Modelica and COLLADA languages, alongside the development of an innovative family of robots featuring modular topologies and control systems. We also explore cutting-edge integration technologies, leveraging augmented reality for the simulation and programming of industrial robots, as well as utilizing advanced 3D imaging for precise positioning, control, and tracking of manipulators and machine tool robots. Furthermore, our group contributes to the agricultural sector by studying and analyzing energy efficiency indicators and fuel consumption profiles of agricultural and horticultural machinery to optimize their operational performance.

Members

• Forgó Zoltán
• Tolvaly-Roşca Ferenc
• Pásztor Judit

Partner institutions

• Universitatea „Babeş-Bolyai” Cluj-Napoca – Romania
• Universitatea Tehnică din Cluj-Napoca – Romania
• Ruhr University Bochum – Germany
• University of Tromsø – Norway

Research Grants

• Klebelsberg Kuno scholarship.
• MTA Domus Scholarship

Recent publications

1. Forgó Zoltán, Pásztor Judit, Tolvaly-Roşca Ferenc, Energy consumption evaluation of rotary tiller using dynamic modelling, INMATEH Agricultural Engineering, Vol. 68/3, 2022, DOI : https://doi.org/10.35633/inmateh-68-17, pp. 167-176
2. Wei Deng Solvang, Bjørn Solvang, Zoltan Forgó, Heidi Kaartinen, Hao Yu, Beibei Shu, Educational Support for SMEs Transitioning from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0-Insights and Lessons Learned from European Cooperation Projects, 2024 IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration (SII), 1012-1017, DOI: 10.1109/SII58957.2024.10417242
3. Forgó, Zoltán, Ferenc Tolvaly-Roșca, and Attila Csobán. "Singular Configuration Analysis of Modular-Driven 4-and 6-DoF Parallel Topology Robots." Robotics 14, no. 5 (2025): 61.
4. Forgó, Zoltán, and Ferenc Tolvaly-Roșca. "Kinematic Characterization of a Novel 4-DoF Parallel Mechanism with Modular Actuation." Robotics 15, no. 1 (2026): 13.

Demonstrative Educational Tools Research Group

Our research group focuses on advancing STEM and engineering pedagogy through the development of innovative educational methodologies, interactive tools, and applied mathematical frameworks. A major pillar of our work involves enhancing engineering education via hands-on experimental mechanics, exemplified by the design and implementation of Wheatstone bridge-based didactic devices to cultivate practical problem-solving skills. Complementing these physical tools, we actively explore algorithmic concepts and computer science instruction through context-based approaches to dynamic programming and interactive visualizations, including specialized didactic tools for intuitively demonstrating random processes, mathematical random number generators, and algorithmic structures like magic squares. Furthermore, our interdisciplinary initiatives extend to educational analytics and quantitative modeling, where we develop mathematical models to estimate mother tongue competencies and predict overall learning outcomes, bridging technical discipline design with data-driven pedagogical insights.

Members

• Kakucs András
• Harangus Katalin

Partner institutions

Research Grants

Recent publications

1. Kakucs, András, and Katalin Harangus. "Enhancing Engineering Education Through Experimental Mechanics: A Wheatstone Bridge-Based Teaching Tool." In International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning, pp. 283-290. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2025.5 15(2).
2. Kakucs, András, Katalin Harangus, and Zsolt Király. "Magic Square." MŰSZAKI TUDOMÁNYOS KÖZLEMÉNYEK (EN) 23 (2025): 28-37.
3. Kakucs, András, Zoltán Kátai, and Katalin Harangus. "A Context-Based Approach to Teaching Dynamic Programming." In Proceedings of the International Conference on Paradigms of Computing, Communication and Data Sciences: PCCDS 2022, pp. 671-683. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2023.
4. Harangus, Katalin, and András Kakucs. "Random Number Generator." MŰSZAKI TUDOMÁNYOS KÖZLEMÉNYEK (EN) 18 (2023): 37-44.
5. Harangus, Katalin, András Kakucs, and Gabriella Kovács. "Mathematical Model for Estimating Mother Tongue Competencies and Learning Outcomes." In International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning, pp. 769-776. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022.
6. Kakucs, András, and Katalin Harangus. "Didactic tool for intuitive random process visualization." In International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning, pp. 649-656. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022.

Holonic Manufacturing Systems Research Group

Our research group conducts multidisciplinary studies at the intersection of engineering management, quality systems, strategic decision-making, and digital transformation. A significant portion of our work explores the integration of artificial intelligence tools into the design and planning phases of engineering projects, supported by case studies and practical frameworks. In parallel, we investigate quality management, optical quality control system optimization, and corporate governance within industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly through the lens of digital communication and "Test-Before-Invest" collaborative partnerships. Our research also extends to organizational resilience during crisis contexts—analyzing conflicting objectives and risk factors—as well as the critical role of stakeholder identification when conceptualizing sustainable development policies within public institutions.

Members

• Bakos Levente

Partner institutions

• Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary

Research Grants

Recent publications

1. Bakos, Levente, and Mihaela Bucur. "Stakeholder Identification as Risk Factor Within Public Institutions, in the Context of Conceiving Sustainable Development Policies." In International Conference Interdisciplinarity in Engineering, pp. 400-414. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2025.
2. Bakos, Levente, and István-Csongor Bakos. "A Case Study for Possible Applications of Artificial Intelligence Tools in the Design of Engineering Projects." MŰSZAKI TUDOMÁNYOS KÖZLEMÉNYEK (EN) 22 (2025): 1-9.
3. Bakos, Levente-Attila, Zoltán Forgó, and Erzsébet Egyed-Faluvégi. "Optical Quality Control System Improvement for an SME. A Case Study for Test-Before-Invest Partnerhips." In 2024 IEEE 6th International Symposium on Logistics and Industrial Informatics (LINDI), pp. 000189-000194. IEEE, 2024.
4. Bakos, Levente, and Dănuț-Dumitru Dumitrașcu. "Contradictions of Objectives During Organizational Crisis." In Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Challenging Global Times: Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium in Management (SIM 2021), pp. 15-27. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2024.

Nanotechnology and Materials Science Research Group

Our research group is dedicated to advancing the fields of advanced materials science, surface engineering, and nanotechnology through a diverse portfolio of scientific projects. A core focus of our activity involves the development and microstructural characterization of hard nanocomposite coatings, such as TiAlSiN/Si3N4 and nc-(TiAlN)/a-Si3N4 thin layers, engineered via reactive PVD-UM deposition technologies and analyzed through advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM and XTEM) to achieve superior anti-wear properties. In addition to hard coatings, we investigate the structural formation and photocatalytic potential of titanium oxynitride thin-film structures, as well as the production of polymer nanofibers at the nanoscale. Our expertise also extends into biomedical applications and medical device engineering; we conduct structural investigations of nano dimensional gold particles in colloidal solutions for molecular biology and medicine, analyze technological parameters for precision laser cutting of medical stents, and explore advanced laser surface treatments for titanium alloy implants to enhance their performance and biocompatibility.

Members

• Biró Domokos
• Jakab-Farkas László
• Bitay Enikő
• Gergely Attila Levente
• Kántor József
• Hodgyai Norbert
• Gál Károly István

Partner institutions

• "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary
• John von Neumann University, Hungary
• Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University – Turkey

Research Grants

• Klebelsberg Kuno scholarship 2023-2026.
• MTA Domus Scholarship 2020 – 2026
• Sapientia Foundation—Institute for Scientific Research (2022-2023, 2025-2026)

Recent publications

1. Gergely A.L.*, Farmos R.L., Kántor J.*, Kántor A. É., Hodagyi N., Recycled PET nanofiber membranes for air filtration. In 2022 IEEE 22nd International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Informatics and 8th IEEE International Conference on Recent Achievements in Mechatronics, Automation, Computer Science and Robotics (CINTI-MACRo) IEEE, 2022, 57-62.
2. Kántor J.*, Gergely A.L.*, Farmos R.L., Hodgyai N., Poly (styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) Triblock Copolymer Fiber Generation with Centrifugal Spinning, and its Potential Application in Oil Collection. In 2022 IEEE 22nd International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Informatics and 8th IEEE International Conference on Recent Achievements in Mechatronics, Automation, Computer Science and Robotics (CINTI-MACRo) IEEE, 2022, 77-82.
3. Bitay E, Gergely A.L*., Kántor J., Szabó ZI, Evaluation of Lapatinib-Loaded Microfibers Prepared by Centrifugal Spinning. Polymers. 2022; 14(24):5557-5570. IF: 4.967
4. Bitay E, Gergely AL*, Szabó ZI. One-Step Preparation of Fiber-Based Chlorzoxazone Solid Dispersion by Centrifugal Spinning. Polymers. 2023 29; 16(1):123.
5. Bitay E, Gergely AL*, Szabó Z-I. Optimization and Production of Aceclofenac-Loaded Microfiber Solid Dispersion by Centrifugal Spinning. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(9):2256. IF: 5.4; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15092256
6. Kántor J., Farmos R.L., Gergely A.L.*, Optimization of Oil Sorbent Thermoplastic Elastomer Microfiber Production by Centrifugal Spinning. Polymers. 2023; 15, 3368. IF: 5.0; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15163368,
7. Enikő Bitay, Alexandra Csavdari: Some Unmodified Household Adsorbents for the Adsorption of Benzalkonium Chloride—A Kinetic and Thermodynamic Case Study for Commercially Available Paper. Toxics (ISSN: 2305-6304) 2023. Volume 11, Issue 12, 950. Q1, IF= 4.6, https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11120950
8. Strnad G, Jakab-Farkas L, Gobber FS, Peter I. Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Oxide Layers on Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta and Ti-Nb-Zr-Fe Biomedical Alloys. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2023 Mar 24;14(4):180.
9. Zold EL, Koreh B, Jakab-Farkas L, Domokos E. Analysis of pollen in" handmade" honey samples from the central microregion of Romania by scanning electron microscopy. In PLANTA MEDICA 2023 Nov 1 (Vol. 89, No. 14, pp. 1401-1401). RUDIGERSTR 14, D-70469 STUTTGART, GERMANY: GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG.
10. Bardocz-Veres, Zs.; Miklós, M. L.; Biró, E.-K.; Kántor, E.-A.; Kántor, J.; Dudás, Cs.; Kerekes-Máthé, B. New Perspectives in Overcoming Bulk-Fill Composite Polymerization Shrinkage: The Impact of Curing Mode and Layering. Dentistry Journal 2024, 12(6), 171.
11. Székely-Szentmiklósi I, Rédai EM, Kovács B, Gergely AL, Albert C, Szabó ZI, Székely-Szentmiklósi B, Sipos E. Investigation of Yarrow Essential Oil Composition and Microencapsulation by Complex Coacervation Technology. Applied Sciences. 2024; 14(17):7867.
12. Székely-Szentmiklósi I, Rédai EM, Szabó ZI, Kovács B, Albert C, Gergely AL, Székely-Szentmiklósi B, Sipos E. Microencapsulation by Complex Coacervation of Lavender Oil Obtained by Steam Distillation at Semi-Industrial Scale. Foods. 2024; 13(18):2935.
13. Kántor J, Fekete G*, Gergely AL*. Oil Sorption Properties of Centrifugally Spun Polyisobutylene-Based Thermoplastic Elastomer Microfibers. Polymers. 2024; 16(18):2624.
14. Székely-Szentmiklósi, I., Rédai, E.M., Vlad, R.A., Szabó, Z., Kovács, B., Gergely, A.L., Albert, C., Székely-Szentmiklósi, B. And Sipos, E.. Microencapsulation of Salvia Officinalis L. Essential Oil by Complex Coacervation Technology. Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Chemia, 69(3): 2024.
15. Coman NA, Nicolae-Maranciuc A, Berța L, Nicolescu A, Babotă M, Man A, Chicea D, Farczadi L, Jakab-Farkas L, Silva B, Veiga-Matos J. Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles from Quercus bark extracts: Characterization and functional properties. Antioxidants. 2024 Jul 9;13(7):822.
16. Coman NA, Berta L, Nicolae-Maranciuc A, Nicolescu A, Babotă M, Man A, Chicea D, Farczadi L, Jakab-Farkas L, Tanase C. Green synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using aqueous bark extract of Quercus sp. for potential antioxidant and antimicrobial applications. BioResources. 2024 Nov 1;19(4):862.
17. Mureșan IÉ, Cerghizan D, Gergely A, Farmos RL, Jakab-Farkas L, Șimon JJ, Kerekes-Máthé B, Giliga DA, Kis EÉ, Jánosi KM, Mártha K. An In Vitro Evaluation of the Effect of Ceramic Material, Surface Treatment, and Adhesive Cement on Shear Bond Strength in Prosthodontics. Medicina. 2025 61(7):1118.
18. Bitay, Enikő, Zoltán-István Szabó, and Attila Levente Gergely. "Preparation and Characterization of Fenofibrate-Loaded Fibers Based on 2-Hydroxylpropyl-β-Cyclodextrin." Polymers 2025
19. Rédai EM, Péterfi O, Gergely AL, Barabás E, Pintea A, Antonoaea P, Vlad RA, Todoran N, Cotoi CT, Ciurba A, Sipos E. Production, Characterization, and In Vitro Antifungal Evaluation of Itraconazole-Loaded Fibrous Sheets Prepared by Electrospinning with a Factorial Design. Applied Sciences. 2025 15(2).

Gears research group

Our research group focuses on advanced mechanical engineering, gear technology, and manufacturing precision through a comprehensive portfolio of theoretical, virtual, and experimental projects. A major pillar of our activity involves the virtual simulation and accuracy analysis of gear systems, alongside the numerical modeling and experimental study of tooth surface load distributions. We also specialize in advanced manufacturing simulation and surface optimization, focusing on improving 3D surface quality through virtual material removal and the optimization of successive 3D solid subtraction methods. Furthermore, we investigate innovative gear geometries—such as compensated cosine profile gears—by analyzing relative sliding, root stress distribution, and manufacturing errors. Our work also extends to the conceptual refinement, technological enhancement, and precision improvement of gear cutting tools, including gear shapers and hob cutters. Finally, keeping pace with modern manufacturing trends, our group explores gear production via additive manufacturing, conducting detailed dimensional analyses and wear property evaluations of 3D-printed gears to bridge the gap between rapid prototyping and high-performance industrial applications.

Members

• Máté Márton
• Hollanda Dénes
• Tolvaly-Roşca Ferenc
• Egyed-Faluvégi Erzsébet
• Kántor József
• Gergely Attila Levente
• Hodgyai Norbert
• Gál Károly István

Partner institutions

• Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary
• John von Neumann University, Hungary
• Transilvania University of Brașov – Romania

Research Grants

• Klebelsberg Kuno scholarship.
• MTA Domus Scholarship

Recent publications

1. Máté, M., Tolvaly-Roșca, F., Hodgyai, N.; Drăgoi, M.V.: A new approach of defining the grinding wheel profile of the Gear Hob’s Rake Face. in: 2022 IEEE 22nd International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Informatics and 8th IEEE International Conference on Recent Achievements in Mechatronics, Automation, Computer Science and Robotics (CINTI-MACRo). 21-22 November 2022. Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 03 February 2023. DOI: 10.1109/CINTI-MACRo57952.2022.10029498. Publisher: IEEE
2. Hodgyai, N., Máté, M., Oancea, Gh., Dragoi, M.V. : Review: Gear Hobs—Cutting Tools and Manufacturing Technologies for Spur Gears: The State of the Art. Materials 2024, 17(13), 3219; DOI: 10.3390/ma17133219 , ISSN: 1996-1944. IF3.1
3. Egyed-Faluvégi, Erzsébet, Attila Levente Gergely, and József Kántor. "Dimensional Precision of Plastic Gear Tooth Profiles Produced by 3D Printing." Engineering Proceedings 113, no. 1 (2025): 38.