Center Director
Meet the Team
Team Structure
Center Director
CulTech – Cultural Heritage & Digital Technologies
The Center Director has over 15 years of experience in 3D scanning, advanced modelling and simulation, focusing on digital reconstruction and immersive technologies for cultural heritage.
- Experience: 15+ years
- Affiliation: UTCN (Technical University of Cluj-Napoca)
- Email: your.email@domain.com
- Role: Center Director / Project Manager
- Focus: 3D digitization, AR/VR, digital restoration
Biography
The Center Director has over 15 years of experience in advanced 3D scanning, modelling and simulation of mechanical systems, with a strong focus on the digital reconstruction of cultural heritage. Beginning with his first research publication on digital reconstruction in 2008, he has developed extensive expertise in the digitization of artefacts and historical monuments using advanced technologies such as 3D scanning, photogrammetry and spectral imaging.
His research has contributed to the creation of complex, intelligent and interactive 3D models used in the digital reconstruction of cultural heritage and in the development of immersive platforms based on augmented reality and virtual reality technologies. These platforms support heritage conservation, education and tourism, allowing users to explore cultural artefacts and historical environments through innovative digital experiences.
Throughout his academic activity, the Center Director has addressed key topics in the digitization of cultural heritage, introducing innovative approaches at the national level. As early as 2011, he introduced new digital models for cultural heritage documentation and contributed to the transition towards 3D archaeology. Starting with 2014, his research increasingly focused on improving the quality and accuracy of digitized models, a field that was still emerging in academic research at that time.
He developed advanced methodologies for generating 3D models from scanned point clouds and for optimizing file dimensions without compromising geometric accuracy. His work also proposed new methods for creating digital artefacts and virtual reconstructions of archaeological objects, supported by studies on digital restoration and virtual archaeology.
In 2022, he published methodological research on the 3D scanning of cultural heritage objects displayed in museum environments. His research themes include digital reconstruction of archaeological ceramics, historical monuments and wooden churches, as well as digital restoration of fragmented cultural heritage assets and 3D documentation of historical artefacts.
His work also integrates interdisciplinary approaches combining digitization technologies with physical-chemical analysis and digital restoration methods. Artificial intelligence algorithms have also been applied in some research projects to determine the number of dies used in the production of historical coins.
Another important research direction is the interactive exploration of virtual heritage through virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR), improving accessibility to cultural heritage through digital content and immersive technologies.
Digital Heritage Research and Impact
The Center Director has developed a comprehensive methodology for the digitization and processing of historical artefacts, successfully applied to the digitization of a large number of cultural heritage objects that are now accessible online through dedicated digital platforms.
Romania currently ranks third within the Europeana platform with 562 digitized artefacts in 3D, out of which more than 560 were produced within projects coordinated by the Center Director, including the DACIT project. This initiative generated the largest database in Romania containing 3D digitized cultural heritage objects.
The digital models produced through these projects are available online and are integrated into interactive platforms such as Sketchfab, allowing users to explore artefacts in three dimensions. After processing, the models can be visualized stereoscopically on smartphones, tablets or computers using VR headsets such as Oculus Rift and similar devices.
These results were also integrated into immersive applications such as virtual museum tours and augmented reality experiences compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
To enable the efficient processing of large scanning datasets, an edge-collapse algorithm was developed and implemented in MATLAB and MathWorks environments. This solution significantly improved the portability and compatibility of 3D models obtained from scanning processes.
The DACIT project was recognized by the Council of Europe as an example of good practice in digital heritage and received a special mention from the jury of the European Heritage Awards 2019, in the Research category, for its innovative use of digitization technologies and for enhancing visitor interaction with museum collections.
Laboratory Infrastructure
The Center Director manages one of the most advanced 3D scanning and measurement laboratories in Romania. The laboratory includes an extensive infrastructure composed of eleven different types of 3D scanners, coordinate measurement equipment and multisensory measurement systems.
The research infrastructure also includes optical and portable measuring systems equipped with tactile probes, allowing precise measurements of complex geometries. Young researchers working in the laboratory have access to a wide range of specialized software tools, including advanced CAD and modelling applications such as CATIA, SolidWorks and the 3DExperience platform.
Additional software tools are used for point cloud processing, photogrammetry and data analysis, while modern platforms such as Unity and Unreal Engine support the development of immersive applications in augmented and virtual reality.
This infrastructure allows researchers to develop innovative solutions for digital heritage documentation, restoration and visualization, while also enabling interdisciplinary research projects involving engineering, archaeology and digital technologies.
Academic Activity and Mentorship
The Center Director has been actively involved in mentoring young researchers and doctoral students. Since 2019, he has been affiliated with the doctoral school of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN) as a PhD supervisor in the field of Industrial Engineering.
Currently, eight doctoral students are conducting research under his supervision, three of whom focus on topics related to the digitization and digital reconstruction of cultural heritage. He has also participated in the doctoral committees of eighteen PhD candidates who successfully defended their doctoral theses, four of which were focused on digital heritage research.
Over the past decade, he coordinated two master’s degree programmes within the Department of Design Engineering and Robotics: Industrial Design and Computer-Aided Design of Manufacturing Systems. He also coordinates the undergraduate specialization in Industrial Design.
His academic activity includes numerous collaborations with students and doctoral researchers, resulting in more than twenty scientific works and several research projects. Mentorship and support from experienced researchers play a crucial role in the professional development of young scientists, and the Center Director actively promotes collaborative research environments that encourage innovation and interdisciplinary work.
He also provides guidance for the publication of scientific papers and serves as editor for two Web of Science indexed journals: Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology and Technica Napocensis Series: Applied Mathematics, Mechanics and Engineering. In addition, he participates in the organization of major international conferences.
Leadership and Institutional Roles
Since 2020, the Center Director has held a management position within the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, one of the largest technical universities in Romania. He leads the Department of Design Engineering and Robotics (IPR), which is the third largest department within the university.
The department has a team of 36 academic staff members, including 28 full-time employees and several part-time collaborators, supported by six members of auxiliary staff. In March 2024, he was re-elected for a new five-year mandate, confirming the trust and recognition of the academic community for his leadership and strategic vision.
He also holds a Project Manager certification issued by SC Extreme Training SRL in Bucharest, accredited by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Protection and the Elderly together with the Ministry of Education. This certification further strengthens his expertise in project management and supports the coordination of complex interdisciplinary research projects.
Beyond cultural heritage research, he has also been involved in projects related to innovative technologies for public safety, including the development of electric ecological vehicles and advanced training platforms for critical infrastructure personnel.
Selected Research Projects
When Ancient Everyday Life Becomes UNESCO Heritage
Scanning, digital restoration and contextualization of Dacian artefacts from the Orăștie Mountains.
Funded through the Financial Mechanism SEE 2009-2014 under the programme “Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage”.
Budget: 920,000 EUR
Role: Project Manager
Results: scientific articles, database containing 560 digitized artefacts, and an online web platform.
Elaborating Complex Methodologies Regarding the Attribution and Authentication of Medieval and Early Modern Paintings Belonging to the National Cultural Heritage
Implementation period: 2018–2020
Role: Partner responsible for project management in component 3
Results: scientific articles and one pending patent.
Mass Digitization of Cultural Heritage: Between Myth and Reality
Evaluation of the accuracy of 3D models generated using photogrammetry in cultural heritage documentation (AtOP project).
Funded by UEFISCDI
Implementation period: 2018–2021
Role: Project Director
Results: eight scientific articles.
Additional Research Projects
Research, Design and Development of Ecological Electric Vehicles Made of Advanced Composite Materials
Equipped with photovoltaic panels and integrated assembly line development.
Budget: 114,360 EUR
Role: Project Director
Results: four scientific articles and one patent.
Creating an Innovative Platform Based on Virtual Reality Applications for Safety and Protection of Personnel in Critical Infrastructures (CREVIS)
Budget: 1,100,000 EUR
Implementation period: 2014–2015
Role: Project Manager
Results: four scientific articles and one patent.
Blended Learning Course on Measurement Uncertainty for Advanced Vocational Training
Leonardo da Vinci – Transfer of Innovation project
Implementation period: 2011–2013
Results: web platform, one book and four scientific articles.
E-Learning Virtual Platform Based on 3D Applications Usable in Dental Prosthetics
Project implemented by “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest
Budget: 98,000 EUR
Role: Partner responsible
Results: web platform and scientific publications.