Current professional background:
I have held a permanent position as a senior scientific researcher at the Republic Center for Structure Research (RCSR) of the Georgian Technical University (GTU) since 2003. The main research field of the RCSR is the investigation of micro- and nano-structures of materials, their properties, peculiarities and behaviour in different environments. My responsibilities are particularly related to studying the behaviour of high temperature corrosion/oxidation resistant materials, development of heat resistant coatings and new technologies related to these areas.
Field of research:
Materials Science; High temperature alloys and coatings
Purpose of your last research visit:
I have collaborated with the University of Siegen’s Chair of Materials Science and Testing for many years. My last visit there was for one week in April 2018, during which I held an intense schedule of meetings, scientific-research, as well as social activities to celebratethe chair’s 25th anniversary. This has allowed a good opportunity for an exchange of ideas, experience and information on the newest high temperature material related studies and projects going on in our two research groups (GTU and Uni Siegen). These exchanges occurred during private conversations, official meetings, and seminars given to an auditorium consisting of professors, lecturers, and students as well as the technical staff of the department.
Relation to the University of Siegen and/or to the local host:
Collaboration between our two groups has occurred for about 10 years. I met one of my co-hosts, Priv. Doz. Dr.-Ing. habil. B. Gorr from University Siegen, at an international conference in France where we discussed our topics of research and found lots of common areas of interest, we then began to plan our further collaboration. Since then I have visited the chair of materials science lead by Prof.Dr.-Ing. habil. H.-J. Christ many times in the scopes of projects funded by the AvH (Alexander von Humboldt) foundation or the DAAD (German academic exchange service). Besides the exchange visits my hosts and I also regularly meet at different international conferences dedicated to the topics of materials science.
Future projects / Activities:
Since our collaboration with the Materials Science chair of University Siegen has always been very fruitful, we plan to continue this also in future. We are always up to the new challenges of participating in both the large international and multi-partner research projects as well as the smaller ones.
Impressions of Siegen:
I consider Germany to be my second motherland because I have spent many years of my life in this country. I was honoured to work with many distinguished German (as well as international) scientists in the Forschungszentrum Jülich, BAM (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing) and of course the University of Siegen. I am always happy to come to Germany and especially to Siegen because there are so many colleagues and friends who make this place special for me.