BrainMap

Mr. Andrei Rotaru

Prof. Dr.

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Other affiliations

Scientific Researcher Grade II - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (Romania)

Scientific Researcher Grade II - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU ()

Teaching staff

Web of Science ResearcherID: A-9726-2014

Curriculum Vitae (14/05/2024)

Expertise & keywords

Realization of a multi-channel electrochemical probe for monitoring the evolution of sediments Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2019-0198 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: DFR SYSTEMS S.R.L.

Project partners: DFR SYSTEMS S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: https://fluensys.ro/cercetare/proiecte/semsed/

Abstract:

In an effort to monitor the quality of the environment, we developed a novel ecotechnology - an electrochemical probe with 128-512 working electrodes for analyzing electrochemical gradients in sediments at sub-millimetric resolution. The probe, called SEMSED, contains a package of electrodes, a computer-controlled channel selector, connected to a commercial potentiostat. The project proposes the advance from TRL4 to a pilot probe, level TRL6, submersible, technologically and experimentally validated. The novelty of the project is the use of CMOS electronic multiplexers / switches to digitally select the combination of electrodes needed to perform electrochemical measurements in sediments. Another novelty is the realization of solid reference electrodes and software dedicated to commands and communication. The ability of the probe to monitor sediment evolution without physical disturbance (as opposed to equipment on the market) is very important in analyzing how sediments change (increase and decrease, and how their chemistry changes between aerobic and anaerobic). This probe can be placed in freshwater or seawater and will monitor changes in chemical composition in sediments from ports, canals, lakes, estuaries, aquaculture biofilters, sapropelic sludge as well as sediments from settling tanks and sewage treatment plants. SEMSED probes will be located and validated in the field and used to monitor sedimentation rate, the redox status of sediments and identify key chemicals such as oxygen and hydrogen sulfide. The SEMSED probe will be able to operate autonomously (linked or not to an underwater electrical grid) for a long time without maintenance, and without moving mechanical parts, while monitored online. This novel eco-technology will expand the range of monitoring capabilities for users such as: national and European environmental agencies, fish farmers and managers of water treatment plants, canals, ports and waterways.

Advanced materials and laser / plasma processing technologies for energy and depollution: increasing the applicative potential and scientific interconnection in the field of eco-nanotechnologies Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0755 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PITESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: https://malasent46.wixsite.com/malasent

Abstract:

The MALASENT project proposes the development of research competencies of the consortium members in the field of advanced materials and their novel processing technologies, as well as a potential transfer towards industrial beneficiaries, for the energy production and complex decontamination of water and air. The scientific objectives associated this project proposal are the following:

- development of catalytic systems based on advanced materials processed by laser techniques and plasma, for complex processes of decontamination of residual waters and reduction of toxic exhaust gases emitted by internal combustion engines.

- development of heterostructures of advanced materials obtained by laser techniques and plasma for the production of energy through photolytic dissociation of the water molecule or photovoltaic.

- integration of the advanced materials through laser/plasma techniques in photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications at the industrial level.

The project proposal aims to consolidate, numerically and professionally, the human resources of the consortium, especially for the partner institution with recovery possibilities. Moreover, the project pursues an increase in the service providing capabilities for research services and in the establishment of consolidated collaborations with industrial beneficiaries, as well as in the visibility at the national and international level of the consortium members.

Strain - engineered complex oxide thin films for energy generation applications Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-2433 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: https://seeinglaser.wixsite.com/seeing

Abstract:

The scientific motivation of this project proposal is to engineer complex oxide thin films based on bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) by implementing new approaches of inducing strain for enhancing functional properties or even opening new ones. The aim of using strain engineering approach is to reveal the changes in optical properties as well as in the electrical ones for enhancing the efficiency of these materials in energy generation applications such as photocatalytic water splitting one. Different from the conventional epitaxial misfit homogenous strain induced in ferroelectric or multiferroic thin films, in this proposal strain gradients will be induced into the film’s thickness by growing compositionally graded thin films (e.g. Y-BFO thin films with Y-concentration varying with thickness) where the evolution of the lattice parameter with composition variation will impose a “chemical pressure” as driving force of the strain gradient. The other method is the orientation-driven strain control through substrates with different crystallographic orientation, as it has been already demonstrated for PbTiZrO3 materials, because there is the possibility of applying biaxial strain along other crystallographic planes than the “classical” (00l) and to engineer complex ferroelectric domain geometries Within this proposal, new strain engineering methods will be used on materials with different crystalline structures: Y-doped BiFeO3 is having a perovskite ABO3-type structure while the newly discovered KBiFe2O5 is having an A2B2O5 brownmillerite- type structure. The materials have been chosen on one hand due to narrow band gap values (1.97-2.35 eV for Y-BFO and 1.6 eV for KBiFe2O5), which are useful features in photocatalytic behavior, and on the other hand to confirm the efficiency of the induced strain pathways for different crystalline structure. The obtained thin films will be designed mainly having in mind the enhancement of their photoelectrochemical water splitting activity.

Fabrication of photofunctional guest/layered double hydroxide host hybrid thin films Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1550 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://ppam.inflpr.ro/TE_271/photolay_en.htm

Abstract:

The preparation of a highly photofunctional hybrid thin films of intercalated chromophores in Layered double hydroxides (LDH) matrix by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is investigated, and the functionality of the films will be examined through the optical properties introduced by the chromophore. The use of composite of organic chromophores offers a number of advantages. An interesting class of chromophores is coumarins and coumarins derivates. Two systems will be studied: coumarin intercalated in MgAl-LDH and coumarin and dodecyl sulfate (DS) co-intercalated in MgAl-LDH. Layered double hydroxides are materials of a growing interest in the field of material chemistry due to their structural anisotropy which allow an easy functionalization by intercalation of some species with specific properties. Finding proper conditions for the deposition of the photofunctional guest/layered double hydroxide host hybrid thin films would be the difficulty and the challenge of the project. The project is of scientific impact because for a large number of optically functional materials, both for passive (absorption) as well as active (emission) materials the incorporation into a matrix is an inevitable necessity for their further applications. The functionality of coumarins is exploited mostly in the solution phase therefore confined them between two “hard” layers and next, fixing them on a substrate as thin films is a first step to fulfill in order to extent their applicability.

Application of laser techniqes for the fabrication of biosensors based on microfluidic real-timp detection systems Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1992 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); OPTOELECTRONICA - 2001 S.A. (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROBIOLOGIE SI IMUNOLOGIE "CANTACUZINO" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://ppam.inflpr.ro/SOLE.htm

Abstract:

The project SOLE deals with the design, fabrication and characterization of a microfluidic “Lab-on-Chip” system to perform DNA analysis and to detect pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The DNA analysis is based on the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify the DNA of interest and on the measurement of fluorescence emitted by fluorogenic compounds intercalated in the amplified DNA.

Therefore, the SOLE project aims 3 specific objectives: (1) design, fabricate and characterize a microfluidic PCR device, which allows the amplification of the DNA of interest i.e. from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; (2) Implement, characterize and calibrate an electro-optical setup for optical measurement of fluorescence signal emitted by amplified DNA and (3) to integrate in a "Lab-on-a-Chip" system, the electro-optical detection setup to the PCR amplification device.

This corresponds to the development of a fully operational miniaturized Real-Time PCR system, able to perform quantitative detection of the DNA of interest and consequently, a state of the art development in terms of biosensors.

With this, we also aim to contribute to the consolidation of a national capability to develop, entirely in Romania, portable and cost effective diagnostic system for general purposes. In fact, this is a strategic motivation for us and an important characteristic of this project, since diagnostic system are important not just for environmental monitoring and control (our target here), but also for medicine, public health, and biology.

Orthopaedic implants obtained from multifunctional "Gum" alloys Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1643 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); R&D CONSULTANTA SI SERVICII S.R.L. (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); TEHNOMED IMPEX CO S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://www.mdef.pub.ro/research/IMPLANTGUM/ro/index.html

Abstract:

The use of more sophisticated and more expansive biomaterials for medical devices (as will be ours) practically does not affect the implantation expenditure, because the total involved cost is essentially determined by the surgery and patient’s treatment after implantation. Moreover, the faster osseointegration, less stress shielding avoiding bone atrophy, guarantee implantation success making longer the implant life (over 20 years instead of actually 10 years), improving the patient comfort and also reducing the costs for drugs and reimplantation. The project objective is to obtain orthopedic implants from a new biomaterial, with advanced properties, able to eliminate as many possible causes that lead to surgical intervention.

A group of special beta Ti alloys with unique physical-mechanical properties and large range of possibilities to be used in medical and other applications are “Gum” alloys. From 2003, the development of these alloys acquired a large scientifically and technical interest, because of their special properties. Their composition belongs to beta-type Ti alloys and is basically expressed as Ti (Ta, Nb, V) + (Zr, Hf, O). “Gum” alloys exhibit excellent mechanical multi functionality at room temperature: an ultra-low Young’s modulus (Young’s modulus 60-70 GPa) and a non-linear elastic behaviour, an extended elastic limit, ultra high strength (> 1 GPa), superplastic-like deformability, Invar-like thermal expansion, and Elinvar-like thermal dependence of the elastic modulus. The mechanical properties of the alloy investigated in the present project, a “Gum” alloy type, superior to other materials on the market, make possible to obtain medical devices with considerably increased lifetime, which will lead benefit regarding the patient's life quality and economic advantages.

The enhanced characteristics of the proposed implant biomaterial are: (1) high biochemical compatibility, demonstrated through SBF corrosion and citotoxicity tests of both bioalloy (containing only non-toxic elements); (2) high biomechanical compatibility, demonstrated through the obtained special advanced properties of the “Gum” alloy (improved mechanical properties: tensile strength >1000 MPa; super-elasticity; superplasticity permitting cold plastic working close to technical limit of 99.9 % with no work hardening at room temperature; near zero linear expansion coefficient; a low, constant elastic modulus, close to those of human bone 30–40 GPa).

The needs in biomaterials/implants, at the world level, do not stop growing. The load-bearing implants market (representing 20-25% form implantable devices market) including a significant part of orthopedic and dental prosthetics, dental crowns, implants for maxillofacial surgery, artificial limbs, fixtures, is a large one, estimated at a few billions €. This situation creates favourable conditions for the application of research results at industrial level.

The project has high success chances because its outcomes are two new products necessary on the market and their manufacturing technologies that can be implemented at two industrial agents in Romania that have technical and technological capacity to achieve these products.

Electrically stimulated scaffolds for tissue engineering Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1187 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://ppam.inflpr.ro/elitiss_ro.htm

Abstract:

The project relies on an innovative, sound and unique combination of clean, environmental friendly and spatiotemporally accurate laser techniques for producing biofunctionalized conducting tridimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering. The project addresses the synergistic combination of major pillars of science and technology (Micro-Nano-Bio-Info), in the framework of Convergent Technologies for Improving Human Performance: (a) nano-micro science and technology-by using laser processing techniques for scaffolds fabrication; (b) biotechnology and biomedicine-by scaffolds biofunctionalization with biologically active agents and by analyzing the cells cultured within the scaffolds. (c) information technology-by developing advanced computing and application codes for tridimensional scaffolds fabrication and for monitoring the cells cultured within them. The laser techniques will be integrated in a three-step protocol, comprising scaffolds fabrication, biofunctionalization and testing. Rigid (titanium) and flexible organic-inorganic hybrid polymeric scaffolds will be obtained. Each of them will be biofunctionalized with polypyrrole-based conducting polymers combined with biologically active agents e.g. growth factors, drugs. Electrical stimulation of the scaffolds will trigger a spatiotemporally localized control of cell growth and the delivery of biologically active agents. The process occurs outside the body i.e. non invasive, ex vivo tissue engineering. This will lead to a new generation of biofunctionalized conducting tridimensional scaffolds with potential for bone/cartilage replacements, skin grafts and nerve regeneration. In all, the integrated platform proposed by the project will emerge as a new tissue engineering approach for modulating cell growth, proliferation and organization into functional tissues. The proposed methods based on clean, environmental friendly laser techniques will improve the therapeutic effects of tissue engineering technologies.

Hybrid inorganic-organic nanocomposites films of layered double hydroxides with hydrophobic/protective coating surfaces Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1462 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://ppam.inflpr.ro/PCCA_137_ro.htm

Abstract:

The aim of the project is to produce and study layered double hydroxides (LDHs) thin films modified with organic compounds in order to obtain hydrophobic surface acting as protective coatings. The LDH component will be Zn-Al LDH and Mg-Al LDH prepared at different Me(2+)/Me(3+) ratios. LDH will play either a host material role, to accommodate organic molecule such as fatty acids and macromolecules as a vinyl acetate copolymer or, a guest role, to produce hybrid nanocomposites of LDH/polymers. Laser techniques, pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) will be used for the deposition of LDH –based thin films. It is a novel application of laser techniques for the fabrication of complex nano-structures. Extensive characterization will be performed in order to evidence the critical elements which influence the chemical composition and surface topography of the films, the two main elements governing the wettability properties of surfaces. The host matrix composition, the compatibility between the organic and the inorganic component, deposition conditions, protocols of preparation will be correlated with the hydrophobic properties of the as-prepared films. All the materials used for HYLAYHY project, the inorganic LDH component and the organic compounds are environmentally friendly.

Novel hybrid metal-organic and polymeric thin film materials for sensor development Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0301 2011 - 2014

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: Institutul National pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei - INFLPR

Project partners: Institutul National pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei - INFLPR (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://ppam.inflpr.ro/TE_12_en.htm

Abstract:

This project is an intention to create structures of special materials, such as conducting polymers (e.g. polyaniline) and hybrid metal-organics (e.g. 2,2’-dihydroxyazobenzene coordinated compounds); the reasons we intend to use such materials is because these are easy to develop through chemical procedures that are already known, and are subsequently suitable to laser and plasma processing for thin film development (thicknesses may vary from tens of Ångstroms up to few hundred nanometers). In order to develop good quality thin films and/or nanostructures of polymeric and/or hybrid metal-organics, a modern and versatile technique will be used in order to achieve the goals of this project: matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation, or MAPLE. This technique gives the possibility to develop nano- and micro-structured multilayers of such materials that would otherwise be difficult to obtain, due to solvent- or substrate-thin film incompatibility. MAPLE also gives excellent control in thickness, structure and stoichiometry, even when a compositional gradient is needed or in nanostructures. MAPLE consists in freezing a solution of the guest material (usually 1-5% in its suitable solvent, referred to as matrix), in liquid nitrogen, and then irradiate this target/frozen solution with a chosen laser wavelength; the thin films and/or nanostructures are collected on a substrate closely situated to the target (~4 cm), while the solvent is pumped out by the vacuum system.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator
List of research grants as partner team leader
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