Bridging Academia and Industry: Dr. Safa Mohammed Lafta Brings Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Research to the Swedish Dialogue
The Swedish
Knowledge and Research Centre (SKRC), through its Nordic R&D Bridge
initiative, is dedicated to connecting global research excellence with
industrial application. This mission takes center stage on November 24, 2025,
as we welcome Dr. Safa Mohammed Lafta for a pivotal lecture in the Swedish
Dialogue R&D Bridge Series.
Dr. Lafta’s profile embodies the spirit of cross-disciplinary expertise the SKRC champions. A highly accomplished professional and recent graduate of the prestigious PhD in Production Engineering program at the University of Technology, Baghdad, she has successfully translated her rigorous academic foundation into real-world strategic experience.
Currently, Dr. Lafta serves as a Technical Training & Energy Research Specialist at the Ministry of Electricity’s Directorate of Training and Energy Research in Iraq. This dual role—merging deep research capability with strategic national infrastructure focus—positions her uniquely to address the practical needs of R&D managers and engineers across the Nordic and MENA regions.
The Research: Innovation in High-Performance Materials
Dr. Lafta's work focuses on one of manufacturing's most persistent challenges: the efficient and high-precision machining of advanced hybrid composites. Her PhD research, titled “The Effect of Machining Parameters in ECDM on Hybrid Composite Materials,” is a significant breakthrough in the field.
The study investigates Electrochemical Discharge Machining (ECDM) as a non-traditional method for processing hybrid aluminum-based composites (Al6061 reinforced with SiC and B4C). These materials are essential for sectors requiring light weight, high strength, and extreme wear resistance—such as aerospace, advanced tooling, and robust energy infrastructure components.
The research's core finding is a game-changer for industrial efficiency. Dr. Lafta systematically identified how to optimize the ECDM process to maximize material removal while simultaneously enhancing the component's final quality.
Crucially, she demonstrated that incorporating Al2O3 abrasive particles into the electrolyte dramatically improves the Material Removal Rate (MRR) and achieves a superior surface finish Ra. This innovation reduces the operational challenge and cost associated with machining these hard-to-process materials.
Furthermore, her work achieved a measured peak hardness of 138HV in the optimized composites (a 45% increase over pure Al6061), providing data that directly translates to increased component longevity and reduced maintenance downtime for R&D-focused organizations.
A Focus on Strategic R&D Impact
Dr. Lafta’s presentation directly addresses multiple pillars of the Nordic R&D Bridge framework, including Research Impact & Services and Youth & Emerging Researchers. By presenting her fresh PhD findings, she demonstrates how young researchers can immediately contribute to Addressing Global Challenges through rigorous, industry-focused engineering science.
The
lecture is structured for maximum knowledge transfer, following a 60-minute
agenda that includes a deep-dive presentation followed by a dedicated 30-minute
interactive Q&A session. This format ensures that attendees—from
experienced R&D leaders to aspiring engineers—can fully grasp the
commercial value and technical implications of her findings.
The Swedish
Dialogue is proud to host Dr. Safa Mohammed Lafta. Her commitment to excellence
in production engineering research, coupled with her professional dedication at
the Ministry of Electricity, offers a powerful example of the kind of
impactful, applied knowledge exchange the SKRC was founded to facilitate.
Join
the Swedish Dialogue on November 24, 2025, at 8:00 PM (Baghdad) / 7:00 PM (CET)
to understand how optimized ECDM can drive the next generation of
high-performance manufacturing. Attendees will receive a Certificate of
Attendance verifying their professional development in this cutting-edge field.