BrainMap

Mrs. Alexandra Bargan (Nistor)

Ph.D.

Research Assistant - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (05/11/2023)

Expertise & keywords

Improved technologies for the development of electrospun polysulfone membranes integrated in an extracorporeal device applicable in renal failure Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-2700 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://icmpp.ro/techmembreid/

Abstract:

Renal failure is one of the major health issues faced by many people worldwide, having a negative economic impact on health systems, due to the increasing prevalence of the disease. This shortcoming highlights the urgent need for innovations on to dialysis therapies, by development of new approaches/strategies and dialysis therapeutic modalities that are cost-effective, accessible and offer improved patient outcomes. As a result, one of the challenges of the project is to catalyze the fundamental redesign of dialysis, supported by a series of innovations in biomaterials field used for hemodialysis and to develop a novel technology able to overcome the disadvantages of conventional dialysis technologies and to offer numerous advantages. Thus, in order to achieve these improvements, the innovation of this project consists in the design and development of new bioactive functionalized hollow membranes - fibrous functionalized bioactive membranes based on quaternized polysulfones - with improved characteristics (modeled and controlled morphology, biocompatibility, hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance), which will be used as medium separations in an extracorporeal innovative device which will be tested and validated at the laboratory-scale. Consequently, the project will provide a new high-performance technology, tested and validated at the laboratory-scale, which will ensure an advanced hemodialysis treatment, contributing significantly to the quality and efficiency of the systems that address human and by thematic approach being connected to international directions on research-medical development namely the main fields Eco-nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Life Sciences – Biotechnology.

Intelligent tools for design, processing and optimization of new PS-POSS-IL (polysulfone-silsesquioxanes impregnated with ionic liquids) type membranes applied in CO2 gas separation Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3900 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.icmpp.ro/aisynpposs

Abstract:

Artificial intelligence tools (neural networks and genetic algorithms) will be used in order to find the most appropriate reaction conditions for obtaining and characterization of new polysulfone-silsesquioxanes membranes impregnated with ionic liquids (PS-POSS-IL) (with predetermined characteristics) as new materials suitable for CO2 capture and storage. Starting from a set number of experiments, in which new types of PS-POSS-IL will be prepared and characterized by changing the reaction conditions (including use of different polysulfones, different silsesquioxanes and a different content or different type of ionic liquid), a data base will be elaborated in order to use it further for modeling with artificial intelligence instruments (neural networks and genetic algorithms). In this way the best reaction conditions can be chosen for obtaining the best PS-POSS-IL membranes as superior materials for adsorbtion/ separation of the CO2. In the first stage of the project, the polysulfones will be obtained and characterized, then the needed silsesquioxanes. Thereupon the membranes will be elaborated from the previous obtained materials, using the phase inversion process. After the membranes will be prepared, they will be characterized for determining the most conducive conditions for manufacturing membranes with the highest CO2 adsorption performance, for their use in separation of CO2, using the artificial intelligence tools (especially neural networks).

Silicone-based modular artificial sensing skin for MMOD impact damage detection and evaluation system in spacecraft Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0156 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://icmpp.ro/silartskin/index.php

Abstract:

Spacecrafts (such as CubeSat) in low Earth orbit (LEO) are exposed to several hazardous environments including the impact made by micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD). There are 500,000 pieces of debris that are currently tracked and there are more than one million small debris pieces that can’t be tracked due to their small size. Collision results made by a piece of space debris can cause mechanical damage, material degradation, and, occasionally, the catastrophic breakup of operational spacecraft. Expeditions like Apollo 13 or STS-107 failed due to the lack of identification of external damages in the spacecraft. The project aims to develop a large-scalable method and a modular sensing technology based on silicone elastomers suppressing the disadvantages of other technologies intensely studied at the day. Basically, the proposed project aims to determine in real-time when an MMOD impact has occurred on a spacecraft shield or structure, area of the impact, depth, and importantly, where it occurred. Moreover, the proposed sensing technology will be operating on a wide temperature range (-70 to more than 150 oC), being lightweight and able to give real-time feedback to the operator, can detect simultaneous multiple damage impacts of different projectile sizes, as well as recovering the original shape after taking damage will be possible (self-healing properties).

Emerging 2D materials based on two-dimensional permethylated metal-organic networks Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2000 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://2dpermosil.ro/

Abstract:

After the discovery of graphene with the set of properties that essentially distinguish it from other allotropes of carbon, ultra-thin layered materials, classified as 2D nanomaterials, enjoy a growing interest due to their unique properties. In this context, very recently become of interest 2D MOFs. But in the crystallization process, 2D layers stack on the basis of intermolecular interactions, leading to higher dimensional materials. To manifest behavioral particularities specific to a 2D material, they must be isolated individually or in multilayers with thickness/surface aspect ratio as small, which is a challenge that seek solutions through different approaches (top-down or bottom-up). The project idea is to design and synthesize two-dimensional metal-organic networks with extremely weak intermolecular interactions, which facilitate delamination in nanosheets. The originality and the key to success in this approach is the use of ligands containing permethylated silicon units which by their natural exposure shield the structure and prevent the establishment of noticeable interactions. New ligands and combinations thereof will be prepared and used to coordinate various metal ions or clusters. Nanosheets formed will be evaluated as such, but also the effect of their incorporation in silicone matrices for the development of materials responsive to stimuli. Their common nature creates the premises for a better compatibility and forming advanced composites.

New “green” technology for advanced water treatment based on functionalized polysulfones/ionic liquids membranes Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3013 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: https://icmpp.ro/greentechmembr/

Abstract:

The GreenTechMembr project addresses one of the big problems facing the society on the water pollution, as a result of the developments brought by the industrial revolution. Unfortunately, part of this water is polluted by industrial plants, mining, oil or gas exploration, fertilizer and pesticide residue used in agriculture. Wastewater reclamation/reuse has become a reality and has been attracting attention as a potential countermeasure for alleviating water shortage problems; so water treatment is truly essential to improve environmental and life quality. As a result, the main objective of the GreenTechMembr project is to provides a new "green" technology for advanced water treatment able to overcome the disadvantages of conventional technologies and to offer numerous advantages (minimum energy consumption, high selectivity, technical feasibility and low volume of waste), thus representing a green, compact and economical alternative system. In order to achieve these improvements, which contribute significantly to the quality and efficiency of the systems that address human health, the innovation of this project consists in the design and development of new types of surfaces- polysulfone membranes functionalized with ionic liquids - with improved characteristics (modeled and controlled morphology), integrated in an innovative unit treatment, tested and validated at the laboratory-scale, for the treatment of water through a technological process of microfiltration. Consequently, the project will provide a new sustainable technology, high performance, tested and validated at the laboratory-scale, which will ensure the water depollution, and by thematic approach being connected to a main direction of international research, namely the main field Environment - Sustainable Development - Global Changes.

Dynamic Dual Mode Materials for Human Thermal Comfort Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1885 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); ALL CIO INVEST SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: https://icmpp.ro/projects/l6/about.php?id=32

Abstract:

A large percentage of commercial energy use is directed for heating and cooling in a variety of technologies where an effective management of heat transfer can lead to significant reductions of the amount of energy used and therefore the energy costs involved. Among these technologies, one of the most significant in terms of energy consumption is building operation, which by itself accounts for ~ 40 % of global energy consumption, and their heating and cooling alone requiring ~ 36 % of this amount. This represents an exciting opportunity to dramatically diminish energy use worldwide with the development of novel personal thermoregulatory clothing. The development of an “ideal” personal thermoregulatory clothing which harmoniously brings together the advantages of passive strategies (i.e. low cost, straightforward implementation, and energy efficiency) with the on-demand control capabilities of active strategies has remained elusive to date. This project proposes an integrated nanocomposite material garment with tunable thermal infrared properties to solve this scientific challenge, using inspiration from the static infrared-reflecting design of the space blanket and from the dynamic color-changing ability of squid skin. This material will be able to regulate a heat flux of > 40 W/m2 with a transient mechanical power input for actuation of 3 %.

Mimicking living matter mechanisms by five-dimensional chemistry approaches Call name: P 4 - Proiecte Complexe de Cercetare de Frontieră
PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0050 2018 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO); CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANICA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE "C.D.NENITESCU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.intelcentru.ro/5D-nanoP/

Abstract:

Mimicking the living matter mechanism of cooperation by complementarity represents one of the most challenging tasks of supramolecular chemistry. For now the solution consists in using particularly designed molecular unimers, endowed with the necessary amount of chemical information.

The 5D-nanoP project is dedicated to interfacing the fundamental research area of constitutional dynamic chemistry with the practical approaches of medicinal chemistry and biomedical applications. In the spirit of a metaphor of Jean-Marie Lehn (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1987), the project aims to materialize the concept of 5D chemistry in designing, synthesizing, characterizing, and using molecules with conditional affinity, to build versatile supramolecular nanoplatforms able to vectorize compounds of pharmaceutical or biochemical relevance, and genetic actuators, all of them involved in physiologic and pathologic processes at cell- and tissue-level.

The project will add the layer of 5D chemistry over the backgrounds of molecular assembling line techniques to produce particulate nanoplatforms, self-assemblable in the virtue of the chemical information stored by the designed unimer molecules. Two modern techniques of building dynamic chemical structures will be considered: (i) the use of self-immolative linkers, and (ii) the space stepwise and time phased (microfluidic) assisted synthesis. To prove the applicability of the produced nanoplatforms, an ex vivo cell cultivation system will be developed to emulate tissue/tumor niches.

Eight teams will be involved in the 5D-nanoP project to cover the main addressed research areas: (i) the in silico molecular design, (ii) the development of a unimers chemical library, (iii) the development of a molecular assembling line, (iv) the conjugation of the developed platforms with chemical species of biomedical interest, (v) the build of ex vivo emulating niches, and (vi) the bio-oriented assessment of nanoconstructs efficacy.

Eco-innovative technologies for recovering of the platinum group metals from scrap catalytic convertors Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0185 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE "CORIOLAN DRĂGULESCU" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE (RO); INOE 2000 - FILIALA INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PENTRU HIDRAULICA SI PNEUMATICA BUCURESTI RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.3nanosae.org/ecotech-gmp/

Abstract:

Autocatalysts are used to convert vehicle exhaust (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, etc.) into less harmful products, such as: carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Platinum group metals (PGMs) are the active component in autocatalysts and consequently the auto industry is the largest PGM consumer. Limited PGM resources demands recycling to support an expanding auto market. Traditional recycling methods are using high temperatures and highly oxidative agents (e.g. aqua regia) making them large energy consumers and environmental pollutants. As a result, there is a need to develop alternative ways to recycle PGMs with a significant decrease in energy consumption and a reduced impact on the environment. ECOTECH-GMP project at hand draws from the knowledge, skills and competences of top leading Romanian research institutions in materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering for creating the know-how to develop the eco-technologies required to recycle PGM with zero emissions. There is currently no such technology available in the world. Four sub-projects are proposed to solve the issue of PGM eco-recycling, encompassing electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, hydrodynamics and bioelectrochemistry. The sub-projects are intertwined and function in synergy to deliver several solutions to the issue at hand. The potential of this project is mesmerizing for any interested company: small initial capital, low energy consumption and high throughput. The benefits for the society at large are thrilling: improved public health because of decreased toxic pollutants (chlorides, nitrates, nitrides, etc.) and creating new jobs owing to the potential of this technology to transform into an industry.

Metal-organic frameworks with hydrophobicity fine-tunned by using silicones chemistry Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0642 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.silmofs.icmpp.ro

Abstract:

The project is devoted to design, synthesis and structural characterization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with controlled hydrophobicity required for certain applications such as gas storage, drug delivery systems, self-compatibilizing fillers for special energy composites, supercapacitors, etc. Different from the approaches reported in literature consisting in attaching hydrophobic groups near coordination sites, or post-synthetic grafting of such groups onto linkers, here will be used mainly ligands with siloxane spacers having attached to the silicon atoms one of the highest hydrophobic group, methyl, but also some derivatives inserting more longer (octyl), more rigid (phenyl, diphenyl), more polar (chloropropyl) or more hydrophobe (trifluoropropyl) groups in order to fine tune moisture stability of the resulted MOFs but also their lipophilicity and crystallinity. The high flexibility of the siloxane backbone allows the organic groups to be arranged and presented to their best effect. In addition, metals in high oxidation state will be used. The key steps in achieving the project objectives consist in engineering the spacer by using new approaches in silicones chemistry (i.e., Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction), attaching coordination groups (by thiol-ene addition or nucleophilic substitution), construction of MOF's and their isolation in a form accessible to characterize accurately. Thus original polydentate ligands mainly consisting in polycarboxylic acids and N-donor heterocycles with controlled diorganosiloxane or silane spacers will be obtained and used to built MOFs. The rare examples of assembling using the flexible linker, apart from those published by the authors of this proposal, and limited investigation in the field opens the innovative perspective for new knowledge and unique properties of MOFs.

New coordination networks containing polyfunctional flexible bridges Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2012 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2012-4-0261 2013 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.icmpp.ro/cazacu0261/pce_2012_4_0261_en_2016.ppt; http://www.icmpp.ro/cazacu0261/pce_2012_4_0261_ro_2016.ppt

Abstract:

The project aim is to bring developments in the metal-containing materials field by the preparation of new metal-organic networks using ligands with high flexible siloxane spacer between the complexing groups. Networks having single metal ions or polynuclear clusters as nodes will be prepared. The later will be obtained and subsequently used as secondary building units (SBUs) or generated in situ concomitantly with the network formation. Original di- tetra- and polycarboxylic acids as well as amine ligands containing siloxane moieties will be used as SBUs for the metal-organic structures infinitely extended into one, two or three dimensions (1D, 2D or 3D, respectively) via more or less covalent metal-ligand bonding. The siloxane moieties confer flexibility to the networks, thus structural adjustment through rotations and twists of structural units are expected, leading to better uptake of different guest molecules. Both building blocks (siloxane ligands and metal clusters) and networks prepared on their basis will be fully characterized from structural point of view by using adequate techniques (elemental, spectroscopic, X-ray diffraction). The specific properties (as for example: sorbtion behavior, magnetic, catalytic, biological, etc.) will be evaluated in order to identify possible applications of the new materials.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects