Following six years of technical Industrial experience, Stephen Abela decided to further his studies at university. He received his B.Eng (Hons) degree in Engineering from the University of Malta in 1998. The same year, Stephen Abela joined the department as Research assistant. In this capacity, Stephen helped the department in the setting up of the heat treatment facility and establishing itself as the heat treatment and surface engineering service supplier in Malta. He joined the academic compliment of DMME in 2000. In 22nd June 2007 Stephen Abela received a PhD degree from the University of Malta, for his work related to the develop Ion Beam Assisted Deposition technology for magnesium alloys. He was subsequently promoted to lecturer where he now lecturers' various courses at both under and postgraduate level while he continues his research particularly focusing on surface engineering of light alloys and water treatment technologies using renewable energy.
Surface engineering for wear and corrosion protection
Investigation of Corrosion on complex systems
Surface engineering for Biomedical applications
Design of assistive devices for persons with quadriplegia
Surface engineering of light Alloys
Water treatment using renewable energy
ABELA, S., AZZOPARDI, D. & BUHAGIAR, J., 2010. , pp. Plasma Anodizing of Magnesium Alloys-in Surface Modification Technologies 23.
ABELA, S. & GRECH, M., 2007. Investigating the room temperature IBAD deposition of Al2O3, on magnesium alloys. , pp. IBAD crystalline alumina coatings for magnesium alloys.-16th IFHTSE Congress.
ABELA, S.G., MAURICE, 2002. , pp. The development of hard coatings for light alloys.-1st International Surface Engineering Congress and the 13th IFHTSE Congress.
Projects lead: 1. Developing an Interdisciplinary Material Testing and Rapid Prototyping R&D Facility. Cohesion Policy, OPI(2007-2013), ERDF project 12: Value 5000,000 Euro 2. Solar Desalination An MCST funded Project R&I 2006-027, Value 240,000 Euro 3. Elcor, Controlling the electrochemical corrosion of industrial diesel engines at Malta Freeport, RTDI project funded by Malta Freeport and signed in 2012, Value 20,000 Euro 4. SolWasTU, Micro solution for Solar waste water treatment. Project about to begin, private funded project, Value 45,000 Euro
Coordinated for UOM Diacom, An MCST funded Project R&I 2010-025, in collaboration with IMA Ltd. Value 94,000 Euro
