Mihnea Ion MARIN

CONTRIBUTIONS TO USING THE MODERN TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL

BEHAVIOUR AND OF HUMAN MOVEMENT-ABSTRACT

[1]

CONTRIBUTIONS TO USING THE MODERN TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT AND

ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR AND OF HUMAN MOVEMENT

ABSTRACT

1. INTRODUCTION

The habilitation thesis is based on the general recommendations of the National Council for

Academic Titles, Diplomas and Certificates (C.N.A.T.D.C.U.), in accordance with the current legislation.

The thesis has three parts that contain the results of the professional and academic research

activity that I have carried out after obtaining the Doctor of Engineering degree. It presents my personal

evolution in these three fields. The thesis also presents the projects for my future activity within the global

context of scientific development and in accordance with my professional field of specialization.

The First section presents the main results of my postdoctoral research activities, focused on the

role of video analyses in movement and mathematic analyses of the results.

After 1995, I have had a continuous activity in the field of movement analyses, mechanical

movement and thermoelasticity. 1995 also marked the beginning of the study of the mechanical behavior

of composite materials and of biomechanics.

The Thermoelasticity Theory analyzes the interaction between the deformation field in an elastic

body and the thermic field. The major difficulty in solving the mathematical models of mechanical

vibrations in thermoelastic context consists in one of their features – variation in time. In the research

papers I have elaborated in the domain, I transformed these models in invariant models, using integrals

transformation as a tool.

Analytic calculation, even if very precise, can be applied only to structures with constant

geometry and without stress raisers. All constraints, generated by the introduction of several simplifying

hypotheses, transform the resolution of real technical problems into a theoretical approach far from

reality. That is why in the postdoctoral period I focused on the Finite element method (FEM) to analyze

mechanical phenomena which are specific to anisotropic materials in isotherm conditions. For this, I

analyzed and calculated the structure of composite materials. Failing to validate the mathematical models,

I developed new research areas based on experimental measurements.

The applied research in which I have been involved so far is based on my competences regarding

the use of modern techniques for measurement and analysis of mechanical movement and the use of an

accurate mathematical device to process the information.

The research results from recent years have focused on the development of new algorithms for

biomechanical assessment, in sport activity, rehabilitation based on movement.

In 2007, I started to use the force plate RSscan, in the research activity within the Research

Center for the Study the Human Body Motricity, University of Craiova. With this force plate and also

using the Kin-Com system, I have had the possibility to study the Kin-Com forces and mechanical

Mihnea Ion MARIN

CONTRIBUTIONS TO USING THE MODERN TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL

BEHAVIOUR AND OF HUMAN MOVEMENT-ABSTRACT

[2]

torques in accordance with the movement video analyses using Simi Motion system, and, since 2009, I

have started to use the new technology named tensiomyography (TMG), for assessing the mechanical

muscle fiber vibrations.

At present, I am continuing the research activity with video analyses using a new system named

VICON which is a part of the Laboratory of Innovative Techniques and Processes in Bioengineering

from INCESA infrastructure (Infrastructure for research in applied sciences - University of Craiova). This

is how I achieved the synchronization of electric human body activities like: EMG, EEG and EKG,

together with the measurements of mechanical stress in muscle tendon and muscle fibers.

The second part of the thesis includes the professional and academic development, based on my

experience resulted from my activity as a teacher and engineer. My academic activity during the past 30

years has also allowed me to develop research and to disseminate my experience from the position of

scientific secretary, head of university college and department director.

The third part of the thesis presents the plan of academic and research activity development and

is based on the research activity carried out at INCESA within the Laboratory of innovative techniques

and processes in bioengineering and the starting of my activity as doctoral studies coordinator.

The last part contains the references, based on the selection of studies and papers through which

there have been disseminated the results of my research activity.

2. SCIENTIFIC, PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

2.1. Scientific achievements

a. Doctoral thesis

In 1995, I defended the doctoral thesis entitled Contributions to the study of the thermoelasticity

of mobile and plane systems. I was confirmed as Doctor of Engineering by MEC-5433/30.10.1995,

University of Craiova, Faculty of Mechanics, and obtained the PhD title in engineering science.

b. Postdoctoral research activity

My activity in the field of biomechanics is focused on monitoring rest and movement in biology,

normal and pathologic human body movement based on using measurement tools. In 2007, I started the

mechanical measurement at the Research Center for the Study of the Human Body Motricity, University

of Craiova.

The research activity and the research directions are linked to the measurement and assessment of

the human movement parameters for monitoring the physical exercises for rehabilitation in muscle-

skeletal disorders and sport training for sport performance.

The research papers from the postdoctoral period focused on detailing mathematical models in

movements, useful in the analysis of vibrations of cinematic elements in thermoelastic context, presenting

both models with infinite degrees of freedom (DOF) and models with a finite number of degrees of

freedom (DOF).

After my participation in 1998 in a research stage at LGMT (Laboratoire de Génie Mécanique de

Toulouse, France), focused on the analysis and calculation of structures in composite materials, I became

Mihnea Ion MARIN

CONTRIBUTIONS TO USING THE MODERN TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL

BEHAVIOUR AND OF HUMAN MOVEMENT-ABSTRACT

[3]

interested in the Finite Element Method of study of sandwich structures and in the analysis of mechanical

stress emerging at the junction of these structures with metallic insertions.

In 1999, the Francophone University Association enabled a scientific collaboration with

colleagues from the Department of Mechanics of materials from UTCM, Sofia, Bulgaria, activity which

extended for more than a decade and which consisted in the development of models simulating the

mechanical behaviour of some composite materials, the establishment of constitutive equations and of a

weathering criterion. Theoretical studies were validated by numerous practical experiments and

laboratory measurements, and the results of this research were presented at scientific conferences and

published between 2003 and 2010 and constituted the nucleus of a handbook on Mechanics of Materials

whose target-public was represented by the master’s degree students and Francophone doctoral students

of UTCM.

From 2012, I have been involved in equipping the Laboratory of innovative techniques and

processes in bioengineering, a component of the research infrastructure in applied sciences INCESA. I

have carried on my research activity within this laboratory in the domain of biomechanical assessment,

neuromuscular and anthropometric evaluation.

c. Publications - books and articles

After obtaining the PhD diploma, I published 14 papers in ISI Thomson Reuters Journals with

impact factor, 14 papers in ISI indexed conference proceedings, 35 papers in IDB journals. I coordinated

2 grants funded from international funds and I was a team member in 2 research projects funded from

national funds and 3 projects from international funds.

I led more than 10 projects for public and private economic beneficiaries. I published 12 books

and manuals as coauthor in the field of mechanical science and more than 40 studies and papers that have

been presented to international conferences.

2.2. Professional achievements

a. My Professional activity included further studies improving my knowledge in the field of mechanics

and in the field of composite materials and numeric simulation. I participated to courses and training

organized by prestigious national and international institutes.

b. Member of scientific and research structures

Research Center for the Study of the Human Body Motricity, University of Craiova, Faculty

of Physical Education and Sport.

Laboratory of Innovative Techniques and Processes in Bioengineering - INCESA

(www.incesa.ro), University of Craiova.

Research Center for Civil Engineering, University of Craiova, Faculty of Mechanics.

2.3. Academic achievements

a. Didactic activity

I started the teaching activity at the Faculty of Mechanics in 1988. I was assistant (1988-1993),

lecturer (1993-1996), assoc. prof. (1996-1999), professor (1999-present).

Mihnea Ion MARIN

CONTRIBUTIONS TO USING THE MODERN TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL

BEHAVIOUR AND OF HUMAN MOVEMENT-ABSTRACT

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The teaching activity includes courses and seminars: Mechanics, Resistance of Materials,

Mechanics of Composite Materials, at bachelor level and Biomechanics of normal and pathologic

movement, Gait analyses for master students.

b. Visiting professor

o in 2000, at University of Technical and Economics Sciences Budapest (http://www.bme.hu) -

AUF, I presented 20 lectures in Technical Mechanics in French;

o in 2001, 2002 and 2003, at the University of Chemical and Metallurgic Technology Sofia

(dl.uctm.edu/en/?q=node/1) - AUF courses Technical Mechanics, Composite Materials and

Resistance of Materials (in French).

I went on ERASMUS+ mobilities for training staff at:

o in 2015, at Nesna University College

o in 2016, Biomechanics Laboratory of Movement science and Biomechanics

(http://www.sportwissenschaft.rub.de/bewbio.html.en) Faculty of Sport Science, Ruhr Universitat

Bochum, Germany and Biomechanics Department at Laboratory of Neurophysiology and

Movement Biomechanics, (https://www.ulb.ac.be/rech/inventaire/ unites/ULB382.html), Free

University of Brussels, Belgium.

3. PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACADEMIC CAREER

3.1. Professional development

The premises for my professional career development are favorable, due to the existent

infrastructure, and to the possibility to collaborate with personalities form prestigious universities which

will allow me to improve my knowledge in the field of using the new technologies for measurements in

biology, using new systems and software. The habilitation represents a new step for contributing to

support the research activity of the Academician Radu Voinea Doctoral School at the Faculty of

Mechanics, University of Craiova.

3.2. Academic development

For a short time, I plan to elaborate and edit some didactic materials like: Elements of

Biomechanics, Normal and pathologic gait, based on fundamental knowledge and practical results after

experimental measurements.

I will extend the academic and professional cooperation with The Free University of Brussels,

Belgium (Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics) and with the Science for body

evolutions from Ljubljana.

3.3. Research development career

The research activity will be linked to the possibility of coordinating doctoral theses, focusing on the

research directions already established during the postdoctoral period. These research directions are:

o Biomechanical analyses in throwing activity (volley and handball games);

o Assessment of kinematics and neuromuscular parameters;

o Tensiomyography assessment of the muscle;

o Surface geometry analyses using 3D scan and make the numeric model (e.g. Evaluation

Mihnea Ion MARIN

CONTRIBUTIONS TO USING THE MODERN TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL

BEHAVIOUR AND OF HUMAN MOVEMENT-ABSTRACT

[5]

of chest movement and correlation with spirometry values).

I intend to extend the cooperation with the research center from Belgium, Germany and to

develop European projects. Moreover, I wish that the results of my research activities be disseminated by

the publication of papers in prestigious international publications, by organizing workshops, international

conferences and summer schools at the University of Craiova.

Self-improvement, involvement of younger students in research, the development of national and

international cooperation are desired objectives of my future activities because, as Émile Zola said, Je

crois que l’avenir de l’humanité est dans le progrès de la raison PAR la science (I believe that the

future of humanity is in the progress of reason THROUGH science).