BrainMap

Daniel Lincu

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Expertise & keywords

Design of novel composite materials based on mesoporous matrices by exploring the nanoconfinement effect Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-1548 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://comconf.chimie.upb.ro/

Abstract:

The project deals with antibiotic-free antibacterial strategies based on nanomaterials, a hot topic of research because mankind is facing with a growing resistance on bacteria and aims to develop novel composites containing polyphenols nanoconfined into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) chemical modified to enhance their stability and to improve health benefits due to synergistic effect of components for topic applications with antibacterial properties. The project will explore unconventional extraction techniques (pressurized liquid extraction or ultrasound-assisted extraction) and pre-treatments to obtain phenolic extracts with desired chemical profile, surface engineering for the design of modified MSN to develop novel formulations for extracts with health benefits, tailoring polyphenols - MSN interactions for enhanced phytocompounds stability when are encapsulated in MSN, as well as an appropriate release. Antimicrobial and effects at cellular levels of formulations containing polyphenols will be assessed. For extracts obtaining as vegetal material will be used wild berries from Romanian mountains. For envisaged application, mesoporous silica will be modified not only with organic groups, but also with inorganic nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO, Ag, or Cu) to contribute to composites bactericidal activity. The polyphenols-silica composite with best features will be incorporated in a natural polymer for wound dressing applications.

One–Pot Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose into Platform Molecules: Lactic Acid Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-4171 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://celmollac.wordpress.com/

Abstract:

Lactic acid(LA) has attracted a significantly attention of the researchers due to its wide application in food processing and preservation, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries and mainly in the synthesis of the polylactic acid. The production of LA in the presence of the heterogeneous acid catalysts attracted the attention of researchers because they are environmentally more sustainable according to the principles of green chemistry. Taking into account the previous studies published, the water-tolerant nature of niobium(V) Lewis acid sites, the strong metal support interaction properties of titanium oxide with transition metals, the existence of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites on the surface of niobium oxide as well as the catalytic activity of titanosilicates in the production of lactic acid derivatives from sugars we propose in this project to validate the process for the synthesis of Nb-based catalysts for the first time to the best of our knowledge, such as niobium doped titanium oxide prepared by solution combustion synthesis, Ti-silicalite-1 with MFI framework and bimodal pore systems (micro-/mesoporosity) supported niobia and activated carbon (obtained from spent ground coffee) supported titanium and niobium oxides and to develop also an experimental model for one-pot conversion of cellulose into lactic acid over Nb-based catalysts,aforementioned, at laboratory scale.

The prepared materials will be exhaustively characterized by using different several techniques such as Pyridine-FTIR, NH3- TPD, XRD, BET, XPS, SEM-EDX, TEM, TG/DTA with the aim to establish a physico-chemical characteristics - catalytic performances correlation in the synthesis of LA from cellulose. Parameters such as: the effect of the amount of catalysts tested, reaction time, reaction temperature will be explored in order to optimize the cellulose conversion to LA.

Transfer of innovative co-crystallization technologies for the development of nutraceutical functional products Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0393 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: TERACRYSTAL SRL

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

Affiliation:

Project website: https://teracrystal.com/research/

Abstract:

The project proposal "Transfer of innovative co-crystallization technologies for the development of nutraceutical functional products -INOCRYSTAL", aims to (i) validating a functional model for the preparation of nutraceutical functional products obtained by (ii) innovative technologies based on the co-crystallization of resveratrol and piperazine and (iii) strengthening TeraCrystal's innovation capacity in obtaining new products with nutraceutical properties for the livestock sector, both for the domestic and foreign markets. This project proposal capitalizes on the results of its own research, obtained through the collaboration between the two partners (TeraCrystal srl and the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Romanian Academy) and materialized by obtaining an international patent (US 20210032210A1). Based on the results obtained at laboratory scale, a functional model (TRL5) is proposed, which involves cocrystals obtained by the homogenization/milling technique of resveratrol and piperazine in the presence of ethyl alcohol. A discontinuous technological process is used with 2 kg rods. It can be estimated that the product thus obtained possesses nutraceutical functions and generates a profit of 30.000 euro/month for a 100kg production. It is also proposed to patent the technology for obtaining the nutraceutical product and to disseminate the results by participating in two international conferences and publishing three ISI listed papers.

Advanced medical systems for boron-capture enhanced proton therapy Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-1827 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://amsbpcept.chimie.upb.ro/

Abstract:

The project, Advanced medical systems for boron-capture enhanced proton therapy (AMSBPCET), is complex interdisciplinary research that integrates the expertise of chemical engineers, physicists, and biologists from three research groups, two from University “Politehnica” of Bucharest and one from Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering.

The scope of the project is proof-of-concept technology (TRL4) for obtaining advanced systems containing mesoporous silica functionalized with boronic acid (MSN-B) loaded with an antitumoral agent (At) for boron proton-capture enhanced proton therapy (BPCEPT) that integrates multiple functionalities: carrier for an antitumoral compound–MSN-B, targeting the tumoral tissue due to the presence of boronic acid groups, presence of moieties containing boron for 11B proton capture therapy, and the delivery of the antitumoral compound into tumoral tissue triggered by protons beam irradiation. The novelty of this project consists in using for the first-time mesoporous silica functionalized with boronic acid as nanocarrier for an anticancer agent for combining boron proton-capture therapy with chemotherapy for an enhanced effectiveness of the cancer treatment. 6 objectives have been identified for fulfilling the project aim: (i) obtaining of MSN-B with particles size lower than 100 nm for targeting and accumulation into tumoral tissue; (ii) loading of MSN-B with an antitumoral agent (MSN-B-At); (iii) assessment of the cytotoxicity of MSN-B and MSN-B-At by highlighting the main endocytotic mechanisms involved in nanoparticles uptake; (iv) evaluation of MSN-B and MSN-B-At for BPCEPT. (v) Assessment of MSN-B and MSN-B-At internalization by hyperspectral microscopy; (vi) demonstration at laboratory scale the functionality of developed MSN-B-At systems for BPCEPT.

Metal-ceramic nanocomposites: next-generation thermal energy storage materials Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1456 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

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

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

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2019/TE166_2020.pdf

Abstract:

Currently, the only “green” technology which can replace polluting coal or gas power plants for continuous energy generation is Concentrated Solar Power. This can be coupled with thermal energy storage, typically using molten salts. However these materials have limited operating temperature range, leading to decreased plant efficiency. The MOST project aims to study innovative metal – porous ceramic composites for high temperature energy storage. The materials will act as shape-stabilized phase-change materials (PCM), using both latent and sensible heat storage. Latent heat storage at elevated temperatures improves the heat to electricity conversion efficiency, yielding lower cost per kWh. This approach is based on a concept demonstrated by the team in 2015, involving the maximization of heat storage agent through nanoconfinement into porous oxide matrices. The projects aims at both fundamental studies of metal/semi-metal nanoconfinement into porous inorganic matrices and applicative research aiming to increase the TRL of these materials to at least 2. A laboratory demonstration of gram-scale synthesis of a nanocomposite PCM with at least 50% wt. metal and shape-stability will be carried out.

The project proposes a multidisciplinary approach and aims to consolidate the research team position as a leader in the field of shape-stabilized phase change materials with high storage potential for elevated temperatures (>200 °C), based on nanoconfinement effects. Furthermore, the project activities are aimed at both applicative and fundamental research, increasing the team international visibility and capacity for further collaborative projects with industry and academia, as well as addressing the important challenge of mitigating anthropogenic carbon emissions associated with energy generation.

Nanoplatform for natural and synthetic compounds with synergistic cytotoxic effect Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2553 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.researchgate.net/project/Nanoplatform-for-natural-and-synthetic-compounds-with-synergistic-cytotoxic-effect

Abstract:

This project is an interdisciplinary research that integrates the expertise of chemists, physicists and physicians, involving three research groups, two from UPB and the other from UMF that have already collaborated. The scope of this project is the development and testing at laboratory scale of a new complex targeted nanoplatform containing functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) coated by fucoidan, a natural sulfated polysaccharide with anticancer and immunotherapeutic activity, for Irinotecan that integrates at least 3 functionalities (TRL4): carrier, targeting and intracellular delivery. The development of the new platform is based on the concept that an oral administration of the Irinotecan, a cytostatic agent, commonly used for colon cancer, combined with fucoidan, could increase its therapeutic efficiency and reduce side effects and its gathers the most advanced scientific results for the encapsulation, targeting and controlled intracellular release of the cytostatic agent (TRL3). All these components were proved to be valuable for the drug delivery systems, but all of them were never assembled in a single advanced delivery system with expected synergistic effect, and this is the step forward in our research and the novelty of this proposal for a laboratory demonstration. Based on our knowledge, it is for the first time that Irinotecan-loaded MSN is combined with fucoidan for a synergistic anticancer effect. Another novel aspect of this proposal consists in identification of membrane/intracellular localization of nanoplatform used for cytostatic agent delivery by using hyperspectral microscopy. Modulation of Irinotecan-nanoplatform cytotoxic activity will highlights the main endocytotic mechanisms involved in nanoplatforms uptake.

COMPLEX VALORISATION OF BLACK SEA REGION BIORESOURCES BY DEVELOPING AND APPLYING INNOVATIVE AND EMERGING BIOTECHNOLOGIES Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0701 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO); INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE MARINĂ "GRIGORE ANTIPA"-I.N.C.D.M. CONSTANŢA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); STATIUNEA DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU VITICULTURA SI VINIFICATIE MURFATLAR (RO)

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

Project website: https://univovidius.wixsite.com/inobiomar

Abstract:

Natural products from marine species are increasingly studied as their functional properties are discovered. These properties have benefits for human health while depending on their geographical region of origin. As abundant marine resources with insufficiently exploited therapeutic potential exist, the present proposal aims to harness the Black Sea bioresources through developing innovative technologies for obtaining biorenewable pharmaceutics preparations. The membrane/bioadhesive disks preparations consist of bioactive compounds from marine extracts encapsulated into mesoporous functionalized silica matrices and have controlled release. The Black Sea bioresources valorization will be improved by using the residual biomass from technological flux as biofertilizer for vineyards. New technologies for efficient extraction and preservation of active ingredients, encapsulation in pharmaceutical and nanostructured silica matrices, obtaining modern, therapeutically/cosmetic efficient formulations tested in vitro, will be developed. The project will be completed by a multidisciplinary consortium composed of UOC, INCDM, UPB, INCDSB, having a new research center with personnel deficit (Romanian Academy-ICF) and a relaunching center- SCDVV Murtfatlar, which will develop and use the common infrastructure, existing and newly created human resources, both through the project implementation and future collaborations, while strengthening the partners’ institutional capacity through improving their services offers. The project will achieve TRL 5. The main goal of the complex project can be achieved through the complementarity of the 5 component projects, having 6 patent applications and developing new fabrication technologies for 3 pharmaceutical formulations with synergetic action as deliverables, which can be translated to economic beneficiaries.

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