BrainMap

Mr. Cristian Hornoiu

Dr.

Senior researcher II - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: C-3926-2011

Curriculum Vitae (03/04/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Influence of hydrogen addition on the explosivity of LPG-air gaseous mixtures Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0369 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.icf.ro/pr_2022/PCE%2038_2022.pptx

Abstract:

The main objective of this project is the investigation of hydrogen influence on gas-phase combustion of hydrocarbons in air, in deflagration regime, by experimental and numerical methods. Under the project, relevant initiation parameters (the quenching distance and the minimum ignition energy) and propagation parameters (normal burning velocity and propagation speed) will be examined, in correlation with the initial composition and pressure of flammable mixtures and with characteristic flame properties (adiabatic flame temperature, total concentration of active radical species).

The study will be realized with LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)-air mixtures with added H2, at various initial LPG concentrations within its flammability limits, hydrogen fractions (5-30 vol%) and initial pressures, within 0.5 and 2.0 bar, at ambient initial temperature. LPG has the typical composition of Romanian blends.

The estimated scientific results delivered by the project consist in the full characterization of LPG-air-H2 mixtures from point of view of flammability parameters, in order to obtain safety operating characteristics for storage, transport and manipulation of such mixtures and to develop increased energetic efficiency with low pollutant emissions.

CARBON SUPPORTED METAL OXIDES PRODUCED BY SUPERCRITICAL WATER IMPREGNATION METHOD Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1241 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2020/APASUPER.pptx

Abstract:

The APASUPER project deals with preparation, characterization and testing supported metal oxides to be used as sorbent materials in separation processes carried out under supercritical water (scH2O) conditions. The one-step preparation method (continuous scH2O impregnation of metal oxides on carbon) is here presented as novelty. It will be developed by combining the available knowledge with the very recent information on the coexistence of gas- and liquid-like phases, observable when scH2O interacts with porous carbon (Maxim et al. Nat. Comms. 2019). The project has both an exploratory and an inter-disciplinary character and aims to be the first step towards long-term collaboration between the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Romania (host) and Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland (main partner). During the research stages at the Swiss partner, cutting-edge research will be performed at PSI’s large-scale facilities using neutron/synchrotron radiation. In this way, the project will contribute to spread the excellence within Europe by bringing the scH2O science to the attention of the Romanian research community. The materials prepared, characterized and tested during this project might contribute to the implementation at large-scale of the promising scH2O technologies, which can in turn help to achieve the 6th (clean water and sanitation) and the 7th (affordable and clean energy) Sustainable Development Goals on UN’s new 2030 agenda.

Micro-nanotechnologies for monitoring of greenhouse gases Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2073 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2019/TECH4GREEN/index.html

Abstract:

The main purpose is the monitoring of greenhouse gases which are directly linked with the human activities. To this scope the project will develop a new technology for the fabrication of smart, miniaturized sensor array for greenhouse gases monitoring. A microsensors array based on alumina transducers and MOx (metal oxides) and polymer materials will be developed. The targeted gases considered as main contributors to the greenhouse effect, are methane, ozone, carbon dioxide and water vapors. The microtransducers are made up of alumina µ-chips with interdigitated gold electrodes on top (front side of the transducer) and platinum microheater on the backside. The microsensors array will contain undoped and doped MOx sensitive films (SnO2, ZnO, SnO2-ZnO, CuO) and polymers deposited by safe and low-cost chemical routes (sol-gel and hydrothermal method).

The novelty of the project consists of: a) the significant improvement of properties of the proposed materials by controlling the nanometer-level architecture oxide (nanowires) and by utilizing the multilayered mixed structure containing MOx and polymeric films; b) new technology for microsensors fabrication on thin alumina with very low power consumption. A laboratory platform and a mobile apparatus for gas detection will be tested. In Romania a project focused on monitoring of greenhouse gases, comprising detection, correlated with geographical and environmental conditions, data acquisition and interpretation is new. The two years duration will allow to optimize and to demonstrate the technology up to TRL 4, to fabricate the sensors (TRL 4), to start the data acquisition and interpretation. All these developments will allow a long-term prediction algorithm for pollution evolution, geographical mapping of areas with the highest pollution, prediction of local and global warming, under different RCP scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways), monitoring of local evolution of these gases.

Smart Portable System for VOCs detection Call name: P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET
ERANET-M.-VOC-DETECT 2019 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); NANOM MEMS SRL (RO); Institute for Technical Physics and Materials Science (MFA), Centre for Energy Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HU)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/voc-detect

Abstract:

Most human environments are characterised by the presence of a large number of chemical substances which mainly belong to the group of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Numerous studies revealed the toxic and carcinogenic effects of these VOCs which usually can be found in indoor air, but the tools for the detection of VOCs are still not very precise and too expensive.

The project will develop new sensors based on nano MOX and CNT materials for VOC detection, integrated into a smart portable system providing quantitative information about the concentration of Formaldehyde and Benzene in indoor air.

The results will be:

- Technology demonstrator and Smart, portable system prototype and new formaldehyde and benzene sensors;

- Technology for thin sensitive films deposition and integration in the microtechnology steps flow for sensors fabrication on silicon – Demonstration;

- E-Nose system, including sensor array, data processing algorithms and software for VOCs accurate detection.

Sustainable autonomous system for nitrites/nitrates and heavy metals monitoring of natural water sources Call name: P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET
M-ERA.NET-WaterSofe 2016 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); NANOM MEMS SRL (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2016/WaterSafe/index.html

Abstract:

The project sets to develop a new energy autonomous system based on (photo)electrochemical sensors for detection of different ionic species in natural water sources and ultra-thin solar cells (UTSC). It focuses on three directions: high efficiency, new materials in solar energy harvesting and fabrication of small UTSC and the power stabilizing device able to supply the needed voltage to the sensors and electronic module; new microsensors for detection of nitrites/nitrates and heavy metals in water; low cost autonomous energy system integration and fabrication.

The harvester will include a UTSC, a dedicated storage and a power stabilizing device. SnO2, TiO2, ZnO materials will be optimised for sensors and (TiO2, ZnO,CuxS)or(CZTS, CuxS, TiO2) for the solar cells. Bacterial flagellar filaments will be investigated and engineered as sensitive biolayer for heavy metal detection. The project will provide a technology demonstrator and water monitoring system prototype.

Piezoelectric MEMS for efficient energy harvesting Call name: P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET
ERA-M-PiezoMEMS 2015 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); ROMELGEN S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/piezomems

Abstract:

The project proposes to develop a new piezoelectric harvester based on micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) devices and piezoelectric materials together with storage module and power circuitry. It focuses on small-scale power energy harvesting techniques (1-100µW) for autonomous operation of portable or embedded micro devices and systems. The harvester will include a MEMS device based on 10÷20 micrometric structures, covered with a piezoelectric thin film (ZnO/doped ZnO or KNN), connected together for increasing the power density.

Expected results: New technology and Prototype of a piezoMEMS harvester for powering portable biomedical devices or sensor networks, tested in real environment applications. Potential benefits: Green and cheap energy, reduction of CO2 emissions, improving quality of life. The project will impact the field of MEMS and piezomaterials manufacture, portable medical devices, sensors networks and green energy production.

Electronic Nose for detection of low concentration pollutant and explosive gases Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1487 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); ROMELGEN S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2014/PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1487/

Abstract:

The aim of the project is the realization of an „electronic nose” for detection of very low concentration of pollutants and explosive gases. To obtain such a device, a microsensor array will be fabricated using integrated and miniaturized silicon based microtransducers. The microtransducers containing a microheater and interdigitated electrodes on top are built on a thin Si3N4 membrane suspended on four arms. The microsensor array will contain metallic-oxide based sensors, namely TiO2, ZnO and HfO2 nanostructured materials with special morphologies, with large surface areas, patterned on top of the interdigitated electrodes. These are one order of magnitude more sensitive than „normal materials” and able to detect very small quantity of gases. The novelty of the project consists: a) the significant improvement of properties of the proposed materials by controlling the nanometer-level architecture oxide (nanostructures) by forming ordered nanoporous structures, nanorods, nanotubes, spheres, and thin films with controlled morphology and porosity; b) new technology for microsensors fabrication with very low power consumption; c) using HfO2 nanotubes obtained by chemical methods for sensor application. The microsensor array based on TiO2, ZnO and HfO2 nanostructured materials will be tested as sensors for 7 gases: H2, CO, propane, NOx, NH3, CH4, H2S. The microsensor arrays will be encapsulated and coupled with an electronic module which will allow interfacing with a computer. A laboratory platform and a mobile apparatus for gas detection will be elaborated and tested especially for interior microclimates. The use of the microsensors together with information technology will improve these microclimates and will reduce their energy consumption.

New BImetallic nanoparticles with applications in water CLEANing of chlorinated compounds and BIOSensors Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0054 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2011/Project_Bicleanbios.ppt

Abstract:

The project proposes the use eco-friendly bimetallic nanoparticles with controlled composition, morphology, structure and chemical state in catalytic and photocatalytic abatement of toxic chlorinated compounds in water via dehydrochlorination reaction. The fine tuning of nanoparticle structure prepared by polyol method is expected to bring crucial improvements by increasing the catalytic activity and resistance against poisoning compared to existing materials. A strategy for improving the catalytic performances is proposed by using ordered mesostructured Al2O3 as supporting material which will be synthesized by combined microemulsion-hydrothermal techniques. In addition, the photocatalytic hydrodechlorination reaction over bimetallic nanoparticles assembled in a controlled manner with TiO2 will be investigated for the first time. The materials will be characterized by a bunch of physico-chemical techniques (XRD, XPS, fractal analysis, gas titration TPO, TPR, Cyclic Voltammetry). Also they will be tested for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Another important application envisaged is to develop new highly sensitive and stable biosensors based on bimetallic nanoparticles. The immobilized biorecognition element(s) on a modified working electrode with bimetallic NPs will be evaluated to identify the most promising systems for biosensor construction.

The targeted technical goal is to develop a laboratory technology for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of chlorinated compounds in polluted waters. Sensitive and stable biosensors devoted to TCE assessment and based on bimetallic nanoparticles use are also planned to be developed at prototype level.

In order to achieve these ambitious objectives, in the three years proposed, a well-balanced and multidisciplinary consortium of three partners has been created. All the participant members have a well-established reputation in catalysis, material science, bio-chemistry and physico-chemical characterization techniqu

nanoPerovskites in one-dimension: synthesis, structure, properties Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0160 2012 - 2015

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul de Chimie Fizica Ilie Murgulescu

Project partners: Institutul de Chimie Fizica Ilie Murgulescu (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2011/1DnanoPEROVSKITES.htm

Abstract:

Modern technology demands nanostructures. Recently, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures, including nanowires, nanotubes and nanorods, have been considered as the most promising building blocks for nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic devices. Worldwide efforts in both the theory and the experimental investigation of growth, characterization and applications of 1D nanostructures have resulted in a mature, multidisciplinary field. Within this context, the main aim of this project is to elucidate the correlations between dimensionality and properties of some 1D nanostructured complex oxides with perovskite structure obtained by bottom-up chemical methods. The synthesis of some ferroelectric and multiferroic perovskites type nanomaterilas will receive a special focus and the process optimization will be guaranteed by exhaustive characterization based on electron microscopy techniques. The electrical (ferroelectric, multiferroic) and thermodynamic properties of the resulted 1D nanomaterials will be investigated in order to establish the size-shape-properties connection to further applications.

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