Latvia University of Agriculture - Latvijas Lauksaimniecības ...

K. Vārtukapteinis Agricultural Engineering and Pedagogical Sciences at the Faculty of Engineeringpatent 1687152, LR patent 12465). They are tested in laboratory and farm conditions. Themain combined pig heating (infrared radiation and heated floors) parameters have beendetermined (SU patent 1595412, LR patents 12996). Several pig lie heating pressurecontrol constructions have been designed, produced and introduced. Engineering andtechnical aspects of pig radiation with ultraviolet rays are researched in. The researchresults are reflected in proceedings of 18 international conferences, 29 scientific issues,and 9 other publications. Pig farm ventilation systems using heat exchangers and heatpumps are developed and tested in laboratory and farm conditions (LR patents 13559,13712, and 13726). The research results are reflected in proceedings of 28 internationalconferences, 7 scientific issues, and 16 other publications. Lecturer L. Kancevičahas prepared doctoral thesis “Solar energy collector with reflectors”, and doctoralstudent Ž. Jesko is working at promotion work “Substantiation of several originalconstructions of solar energy collectors”.Resistance of Wood and Flaky ConstructionsUnder the leadership of associate professor V. Pušinskis (1936-2008) and inco-operation with the Department of Wood Processing of the Forest Faculty, research inbirch wood and birch veneer application properties and the quality of pallet material havebeen continued. V. Pušinskis was awarded the degree of Dr.sc.ing. (Пушинский, 1996).The results are presented in 9 presentations at international scientific conferences,10 scientific publications in international issues, 6 scientific publications in Latvia, and14 other publications.Professor G. Vērdiņš researches in the field of resistance of flaky construction materialshapes. In the result of the research, three Latvian patents for different constructivesolutions have been obtained (No. 12079, 12104, and 12191). The research resultsare presented in 4 presentations at international scientific conferences, 4 internationalscientific issues, 5 scientific issues in Latvia, and 2 other publications. Further researchtrends are: improvement of construction material corrosion resistance and application ofnanomaterials in lubricants.Servicing and Rational Application of MachineryIn the 1990s, research in the field of servicing and rational application of agriculturalmachinery was continued (J. Tupiņš, M. Ķirsis, J. Lācars (1935–2003), G. Aizsils). Forthis research Z. Grants obtained the degree of Dr.sc.ing. (Grants, 1995). The researchresults are reflected in 10 presentations at international scientific conferences, 8 articlesin international scientific issues, 6 scientific issues in Latvia, and 38 other publications,including 4 monographs. At present the researchers of the Institute of Power Vehicles(G. Birzietis, D. Berjoza) are continuing research in the field of power vehicle dynamicparameter registration and analysis. In the result of the research, a patented equipmentparameter registration system has been developed (LV patent 13704). The researchresults are presented at 4 international scientific conferences, and 4 internationalscientific issues.Under the leadership of professor J. G. Pommers (worked at the Faculty till 2000), aresearch was carried out in the field of automobile application properties (power vehiclebody coefficient for determination of air resistance, changes in fuel consumption, etc.).For research in this field, J. G. Pommers was awarded the degree of Dr.habil.sc.ing.(Pommers, 1993). This research has resulted in the promotion work of D. Berjoza(Berjoza, 1999). The research results are presented in 4 presentations at internationalscientific conferences, 2 scientific publications in international issues, 2 scientificpublications in Latvia, and 28 other publications. Professor Pommers has researchedalso into the aspects of development of higher education and technical terminology.These issues are reflected in 8 presentations at international scientific conferences,4 scientific publications in international issues, 3 scientific publications in Latvia, and18 other publications.Obtaining and Application of BiofuelsAt the end of the 1980s, under the leadership of professor V. Gulbis (1929-2008)research in the field of alternative fuels was started and is still going on: usage of woodgas, ethanol-gasoline mixture, biodiesel fuel – rape seed oil ethylester and methylesterfuels and their mixtures with fossil diesel fuel as well as pure rape seed oil as fuel in dieselengines. For research in the field of alcohol fuel application, G. Birzietis was awarded theLatvia University of Agriculture – 70, 2009 39