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Andrei Ionut APOPEI

Geologist and Game Developer enthusiast

About Me

My name is Andrei Ionut APOPEI, I’m 35 years old, and as my website suggests, I’m a geologist. What I love about #Geology is that it helps us find the "truth about Earth" and offers a constant feeling of discovery; looking at the simplest mineral on a molecular level is like describing a whole new world.

My interests in #Geology and informational techniques, applied to a wide range of problems in the field of geoscience, had finally been refined enough that I knew that one or two major topics are not enough for me. Currently, Mineralogy, Ore Geology, Vibrational spectrometry are the scientific fields that best fit my interests.

These domains share a strong link, allowing people to understand Earth’s evolution and for me, to share my knowledge and practical work to others (especially for my students).

Currently, I’m looking for a research grant in the field of 3D technologies applied in Geoscience and Cultural Heritage.

Apopei et al. 2021 – Digital 3D models of Minerals and Rocks in a nutshell: Enhancing scientific, learning, and cultural heritage environments in Geosciences by using cross-polarized light photogrammetry. Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 16(1):237-249. DOI: 10.26471/cjees/2021/016/170 [download link]

Outside my </working hours>, I dedicate my free time to: software and game development, web design, photography (especially micro- and macro-), video editing and some electronics.

"Get busy living, or get busy dying." – from The Shawshank Redemption

Academic Positions

Associate Professor PhD - "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (2017 - Present)

Systematic Mineralogy (courses and laboratory), General Mineralogy (laboratory), Crystallography (courses and laboratory), Igneous Petrology (laboratory), Professional Software (laboratory).

Lecturer PhD - "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (2015 - 2017)

Teaching Assistant - "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (2011 - 2015)

Research

  • Damian G., Apopei A. I., Buzatu A., Maftei A. E., Damian F. (2023) - New Mineral Occurrences in Massive Sulfide Deposits from Mănăilă, Eastern Carpathians, Romania. Minerals, Volume 13(1), 111. DOI: 10.3390/min13010111 2023
  • Dincă G., Apopei A. I., Szabo R., Maftei A. E. (2022) - The Effect of Mn Substitution on Natural Sphalerites by Means of Raman Spectroscopy: A Case Study of the Săcărâmb Au–Ag–Te Ore Deposit, Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Minerals, Volume 12(7), 885. DOI: 10.3390/min12070885 2022
  • Damian G., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I., Damian F., Maftei A. E. (2021) - Hydrothermal Sphalerites from Ore Deposits of Baia Mare Area. Minerals, Volume 11. DOI: 10.3390/min11121323 2021
  • Apopei A. I., Buzgar N., Buzatu A., Maftei A. E., Apostoae L. (2021) - Digital 3D models of Minerals and Rocks in a nutshell: Enhancing scientific, learning, and cultural heritage environments in Geosciences by using cross-polarized light photogrammetry. Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 16, Issue 1, Pages 237-249. DOI: 10.26471/cjees/2021/016/170 2021
  • Maftei A.E., Buzatu A., Damian G., Buzgar N., Dill, H. G., Apopei A. I. (2021) - Micro-Raman — a tool for the heavy mineral analysis of gold placer-type deposits (Pianu Valley, Romania). Minerals, Volume 10, Issue 11, Pages 1-17. DOI: 10.3390/min10110988 2020
  • Damian G., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I., Szakács Z. L., Denuț I., Iepure G., Bârgăoanu D. - Valentinite and colloform sphalerite in epithermal deposits from Baia Mare area, eastern Carpathians. Minerals, Volume 10, Issue 2. DOI: 10.3390/min10020121 2020
  • Maftei A. E., Buzatu A., Buzgar N., Apopei A. I. (2019)- Spatial distribution of minor elements in the Tazlău river sediments: Source identification and evaluation of ecological risk. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 16, Issue 23. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234664 2019
  • Maftei A. E., Buzgar N., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I. (2019) - Distribution and minor elements contamination in urban and peri-uban soils area of Slănic Moldova, Romania. Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, August 2019, Volume 15, Issue 2, Pages 335-342. DOI: 10.26471/cjees/2019/014/084 2019
  • Apopei A. I., Damian G., Buzgar N., Buzatu A., Andráš P., Milovska S. (2017) - The determination of the Sb/As content in natural tetrahedrite–tennantite and bournonite–seligmannite solid solution series by Raman spectroscopy. Mineralogical Magazine, December 2017, Volume 81, Issue 6, Pages 1439-1456. DOI: 10.1180/minmag.2017.081.008 2017
  • Buzatu A., Damian G., Buzgar N., Andráš P., Apopei A. I., Maftei A. E., Milovska S. (2017) - Structural key features of bismuth and Sb-As sulfosalts from hydrothermal deposits − micro-Raman spectrometry. Vibrational Spectroscopy, Volume 89, March 2017, Pages 49–56. DOI: 10.1016/j.vibspec.2017.01.002 2017
  • Buzatu A., Dill H. G., Buzgar N., Damian G., Maftei A. E., Apopei A. I. (2016) - Efflorescent sulfates from Baia Sprie mining area (Romania) - Acid mine drainage and climatological approach. Science of The Total Environment, Volume 542, Part A, January 2016, Pages 629-641. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.139 2016
  • Apopei A. I., Damian G., Buzgar N., Buzatu A. (2016) - Mineralogy and geochemistry of Pb–Sb/As-sulfosalts from Coranda-Hondol ore deposit (Romania) — Conditions of telluride deposition. Ore Geology Reviews, Volume 72, Part 1, January 2016, Pages 857–873. DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.09.014 2016
  • Buzatu A., Damian G., Dill H. G., Buzgar N., Apopei A. I. (2015) - Mineralogy and geochemistry of sulfosalts from Baia Sprie ore deposit (Romania) – New bismuth minerals occurrence. Ore Geology Reviews, Volume 65, Part 1, March 2015, Pages 132–147. DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2014.09.016 2015
  • Apopei A. I., Buzgar N., Damian G., Buzatu A. (2014) - The Raman study of weathering minerals from Coranda-Hondol open pit (Certej gold-silver deposit) and their photochemical degradation products under laser irradiation. Canadian Mineralogist, Volume 52, Issue 6, Pages 1027-1038. DOI: 10.3749/canmin.1300054 2014
  • Apopei A. I., Damian G., Buzgar N., Milovska S., Buzatu A. (2014) - New occurences of hessite, petzite and stützite at Coranda-Hondol open pit (Certej gold-silver deposit, Romania). Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 9, Issue 2, Pages 71-78. 2014
  • Buzgar N., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I., Cotiugă V. (2014) - In-situ Raman spectroscopy at the Voronet Monastery (16th century, Romania): New results for green and blue pigments. Vibrational Spectroscopy, Volume 72, May 2014, Pages 142-148. DOI: 10.1016/j.vibspec.2014.03.008 2014
  • Buzatu N., Buzgar N., Damian G., Vasilache V., Apopei A. I. (2013) - The determination of the Fe content in natural sphalerites by means of Raman spectroscopy. Vibrational Spectroscopy, Volume 68, September 2013, Pages 220–224. DOI: 10.1016/j.vibspec.2013.08.007 2013
  • Buzgar N., Apopei A. I., Buzatu A. (2013) - Characterization and source of Cucuteni black pigment (Romania): vibrational spectrometry and XRD study. Journal of Archaeological Science, Volume 40, Issue 4, April 2013, Pages 2128–2135. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.12.034 2013
  • Buzgar N., Apopei A. I., Diaconu V., Buzatu A. - The composition and source of the raw material of two stone axes of Late Bronze Age from Neamț County (Romania) - A Raman study. Analele Ştiințifice ale Universității “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, seria Geologie, Volume 59, Issue 1, Pages 5-22 (ISSN 1223-5342, category B+). 2013
  • Apopei A. I., Damian G., Buzgar N. - A preliminary Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic study of secondary hydrated sulfate minerals from the Hondol open pit (Metaliferi Mts., ROMANIA). Romanian Journal of Mineral Deposits, Volume 85, Issue 2, Pages 1-6. 2012
  • Buzgar N., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I., Aștefanei D., Topoleanu F. - Raman study of the brownish-yellow pigment from a Roman Basilica (Dobrogea, Romania – 4th – 6th century A.D.). Analele Ştiințifice ale Universității “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, seria Geologie, Volume 57, Issue 2, Pages 15-18 (ISSN 1223-5342, category B+). 2011
  • Apopei A. I., Buzgar N., Buzatu A. - Raman and infrared spectroscopy of kaersutite and certain common amphiboles. Analele Ştiințifice ale Universității “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, seria Geologie, Volume 57, Issue 2, Pages 35-58 (ISSN 1223-5342, category B+). 2011
  • Buzgar N., Bodi G., Buzatu A., Apopei A.I., Aștefanei D. - Raman and XRD studies of black pigment from Cucuteni ceramics. Analele Ştiințifice ale Universității “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, seria Geologie, Volume 56, Issue 2, Pages 95-108 (ISSN 1223-5342, category B+). 2010
  • Apopei A.I., Buzgar N. - The Raman study of amphiboles. Analele Ştiințifice ale Universității “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, seria Geologie, Volume 56, Issue 1, Pages 107-125 (ISSN 1223-5342, category B+). 2010
  • Buzgar N., Apopei A.I. - The Raman study of certain carbonates. Analele Ştiințifice ale Universității “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, seria Geologie, Volume 55, Issue 2, Pages 98-112 (ISSN 1223-5342, category B+). 2009
  • Apopei A. I. - Preliminary study of optical microscopy rock classification using machine learning (ML) (in Romanian). National Symposium "Mircea Savul", 2023, Iaşi.
  • Apopei A. I. - Development of immersive 3D experiences in the field of Geology, using the anaglyph method (in Romanian). National Symposium "Mircea Savul", 2023, Iaşi.
  • Apopei A. I. - Mineral and Rock recognition software by means of Machine Learning (ML) (in Romanian). National Symposium "Mircea Savul", 2022, Iaşi.
  • Apopei A. I., Buzgar N., Buzatu A., Maftei. A. E. - Digitization of the mineral and rock collections from the "Grigore Cobălcescu" Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography (in Romanian). National Symposium "Mircea Savul", 2022, Iaşi.
  • Apopei A. I., Buzgar N., Damian G., Buzatu A. - Efectul substituției As-Sb în spectrele Raman obținute pe serii ale unor sulfosăruri comune. National Symposium "Mircea Savul", 2014, Iaşi.
  • Buzatu A., Buzgar N., Damian G., Apopei A. I. - Transformarea termică a sulfaților secundari. National Symposium "Mircea Savul", 2014, Iaşi.
  • Apopei A. I. - jVPM si mVPM: Microscop Petrografic Virtual. National Symposium "Mircea Savul", 2013, Iaşi.
  • Apopei A. I., Damian G., Buzgar N. - A preliminary Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic study of secondary hydrated sulfate minerals from the Hondol open pit (Metaliferi Mts., Romania). The Eighth International Symposium on Economic Geology. September 13th - 16th, 2012, Brad., ROMANIA.
  • Țurcanu S., Apopei A. I., Buzatu A. - Determinări petrografice asupra industriei pietrei șlefuite din așezarea cucuteniană de la Ruginoasa - Dealul Drăghici. Second Arheoinvest Congress, 7-9 May, Iași, 2012.
  • Buzgar N., Maftei E. A., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I. - Geochimia metalelor grele în sedimentele râului Tazlău. National Symposium “Mircea Savul”, 2011, Iaşi.
  • Buzgar N., Diaconu V., Apopei A. I., Buzatu A. - Raman study of two late bronze age stone artefacts from Neamţ county (Romania). First Arheoinvest Congress. Interdisciplinary Research in Archeology. Programme and Abstracts. ISBN 978-973-640-661-4.
  • Buzgar N., Cotiugă V., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I. - Identification of the pigments from historical monuments frescoes using Raman Spectroscopy. Simpozionul Naţional de Arheometrie, Bucureşti, Simpozionul Naţional de Arheometrie, 28-29 Octombrie 2010, Volum de Abstracte.
  • Buzgar N., Bodi G., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I. - Studiul Raman si XRD al pigmentului negru de pe ceramica cucuteniana / Raman and XRD studies of black pigment from Cucuteni ceramics. Simpozionul Naţional de Arheometrie, Bucureşti, Simpozionul Naţional de Arheometrie, 28-29 Octombrie 2010, Volum de Abstracte.
  • Buzgar N., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I., Cotiugă V., Topoleanu F. - Mineral pigments of Greco-Roman and Byzantine ages from Dobrogea. International Symposium: Geology of Natural Systems – Geo Iasi 2010 September 1 – 4, 2010 Iasi, Romania.
  • Buzgar N., Bârliba L., Buzatu A., Apopei A. I. - The Raman study of some pigments from Greek-Roman and byzantine era on Dobrogea artefacts. National Symposium "Mircea Savul", Iaşi.
  • Buzgar N., Apopei A. I. - The study of some carbonates with Raman spectrography. National Symposium "Mircea Savul", Iaşi.

Latest Projects

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Largest collection of 3D Rocks and Minerals

This is a comprehensive virtual 3D collection of minerals and rocks which are available online via the Sketchfab repository of the Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography "Grigore Cobălcescu".

On the Sketchfab repository, you can find also 3d crystal structures of minerals, 3d crystal forms, 3d geological objects, 3d fossils, 3d teaching resources, etc.

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www.faruitor.ro

3D website using WebGL technology.

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HOLO-MINERALS

The HOLO-MINERALS project aims to contribute to the dissemination, in a unique way, of the didactic material within the Grigore Cobășcescu Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography. The HOLO-MINERALS educational project has as its main goal the integration of interactive and immersive 3D technologies, at very low costs compared to VR technology and with a direct impact in the teaching-learning-evaluation process. Basically, the technology uses red-cyan anaglyph 3D glasses to ensure a stereoscopic 3D effect (depth effect). Basically, it turns the regular monitor into a volumetric one (hologram effect/embossed image).

Another novelty element is the fact that this technology tracks the positions of the user's head (using the web camera), in order to change the perspective of objects/3D space. The system thus renders holographic 3D images, depending on the user's viewing position. All the while, one can interact with the objects/space in various ways, using the mouse, keyboard and/or other peripherals.

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GeoloGIS

GeoloGIS aims to contribute to the dissemination of spatial geological data, through the construction of thematic maps that will be integrated into web-based cartographic services addressed to students, master's students, doctoral students, researchers and teaching staff, thus constituting the cartographic support on which the location of samples and of study areas, geological, geochemical, hydrogeological, mineralogical interpolations, etc.

The GeoloGIS portal includes thematic maps that allow users to explore, understand and quantify geological data.

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Iridescence

This short film aims to bring to light the aesthetic qualities and iridescent properties of labradorite. For both students and geology enthusiasts of any age, iridescence (or Schiller effect) is an optical effect that 'attracts' them to deepen the field of Mineralogy. As a former geology student, the lessons on the optical properties of minerals were some of the most fascinating lessons that made me love mineralogy even more.

Film selected for the finals @ On the Rocks - Geological Film Festival (2021 edition) - in the experimental film category.

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Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography

First geological museum in Romania, with more than 25000 samples of minerals, gemstones and rocks from all over the world. The museum has more than 25000 samples from all over the world. The oldest samples belong to the Krantz collection, purchased by Prof. Grigore Cobălcescu in 1888 from Dr. F. Krantz, Rheinisches Mineralien-Kontor, Bonn, Germany.

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jSulfoQuant

A computer program for a fast and accurate determination of Sb/(Sb+As) content ratio in the tetrahedrite-tennantite and bournonite-seligmannite solid solution series by at least one spectral parameter (band position or relative intensity) of their Raman spectra.

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The Mohs Scale Clock

This is a live-clock for geologists. You know the time if you know the Mohs' hardness scale.

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Virtual Microscope - Minerals

The Virtual Microscope - Minerals is a professional and interactive virtual petrographic microscope that allows geologists to examine and explore minerals and their microscopic features (this app contains only minerals in thin sections using transmitted light - non-opaque minerals).

The Virtual Microscope - Minerals makes Optical Mineralogy easier to examine a thin section and to understand the characteristic properties of each mineral without a petrographic microscope, which is known to be very expensive. It is mainly addressed to geoscience students/geologists as a guide in individual or supervised laboratory work.

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micROCKScopic.ro

A large thin-section collection of minerals and rocks under the petrographic microscope.

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Virtual Microscope - Ore Minerals

The Virtual Microscope - Ore Minerals is a professional and interactive virtual petrographic microscope that allows geologists to examine and explore minerals and their microscopic features (this app contains only minerals in polished sections using reflected light - opaque minerals).

The Virtual Microscope - Ore Minerals makes Optical Mineralogy easier to examine a polished section and to understand the characteristic properties of each mineral without a petrographic microscope, which is known to be very expensive. It is mainly addressed to geoscience students/geologists as a guide in individual or supervised laboratory work.

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3D Crystal Forms Lite

3D Crystal Forms Lite is a complete android application that is mainly addressed to Earth Science students/geologists/undergraduates as a guide in individual or supervised laboratory work. With the 3D Crystal Forms Lite app users can practice, improve, examine, and explore three-dimensional crystal forms.

All possible 48 crystal forms in one application. A collection of open, closed & isometric interactive 3D crystal forms.

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RDSS - Raman Data Search and Storage

This software was developed as an analytical tool for fast and accurate identification of unknown minerals by comparison of their Raman spectra with the indexed library of data.

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3D Geologist - Gold Rush Miner

3D Geologist - Gold Rush Miner is the first 3D adventure game for geologists dedicated to all regardless of their age, from children and students to old geologists or prospectors. 3D Geologist aims to help them to find the "truth about" Earth and offers a constant feeling of discovery; looking at the simplest mineral on a molecular level is like describing a whole new world.

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Geology Toolkit

Geology Toolkit is a thoroughly practical, lively and comprehensive application that allows geologists and hobbyists or even kids to examine and explore minerals and rocks features under the petrographic microscope or as hand-specimen.

Geology Toolkit makes Mineralogy and Petrology be easier to examine a thin section and to understand the characteristic properties of each mineral/rock without a petrographic microscope, which is known to be very expensive. The application is mainly addressed to geoscience students/geologists as a guide in individual or supervised laboratory work. A great thing about Geology Toolkit is that it works offline.

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Geology Stickers for WhatsApp

Now you can share funny geological stickers with Whatsapp to your geologists, friends, and family by using Geology Stickers for WhatsApp (WAStickerApps). These packs include an amazing variety of rocks. The stickers, also called emojis or memes, will bring your WhatsApp conversations a new geological look.

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More on GooglePlay

Other Projects

jTernaryPlot - Free Ternary Plotting Free

A free Java Ternary plot which is the way to classify igneous or/and sedimentary rocks. The ternary diagrams are used to represent the relative percentages of any three component system as A, B, and C.

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