BrainMap

Mr. Liviu-Marian Duta

Senior Scientific Researcher, I-st degree

Senior Scientific Researcher, II-nd degree - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Liviu Duta completed his PhD in Solid State Physics (2013). Since 2016, he is a Senior Scientific Researcher in Lasers Department (INFLPR). He has 17+ years of experience in the field of laser processing and characterization of various types of materials. He organized several International Conferences, is an active Reviewer and a member of Editorial Boards. He is a Guest editor for 8 Special Issues, and a member of the Scientific Committee of the Doctorate School in Physics. Since 2009, he was responsible for 10+ international specialization stages of students coming from French Universities. His current research interests include thin films deposition, biomaterials and protective coatings, characterization methods, natural-origin calcium phosphates as sustainable biofunctional coatings for medical applications. He published 60+ scientific papers, 3 book chapters, 4 editorials, 1 eBook, and was awarded 2 Patents and 6 international prizes. He has 1400+ citations, with a H-index of 21.

Web of Science ResearcherID: G-3417-2011

Curriculum Vitae (20/02/2024)

Expertise & keywords

Marine-derived hydroxyapatite coatings as sustainable biomaterials for implantable applications Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1449 2021 - 2022

Role in this project:

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://marineha.inflpr.ro/

Abstract:

Over the last decades, the bone tissue engineering field has expanded to be able to address a plethora of bone-related traumas and to deliver a viable and efficient substitute to allografts or autografts, by combining bioactive materials and cells for bone tissue ingrowth.

Synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of the most widely used calcium phosphates in implantology. Because obtaining synthetic HA implies polluting, time-consuming and expensive approaches, researchers found a simple, economic and highly productive alternative to produce HA, i.e. to extract it from sustainable biological resources (bones and biogenic materials), considered nowadays only wastes of the food industry. Despite its excellent bone regeneration properties, HA is very brittle in bulk and characterized by poor mechanical properties. In contrast to their excellent mechanical properties, the Ti implants elicit low osseointegration rates. To overcome these shortcomings, HA can be applied as a coating onto the surface of Ti implants, to significantly improve the overall performances of the structures, by successfully combining the excellent bioactivity of the ceramic with the mechanical advantages of the metallic substrates. Therefore, in the field of thin film growth, the PLD technique stands as a simple, versatile, fast-processing, and cost-effective method, which allows for a precise control over the growth rate and morphology to obtain high-quality structures.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in literature on the synthesis by PLD of doped marine-derived HA coatings and their complex physical-chemical, mechanical and biological investigation. The aim is to fabricate biocompatible implant coatings, from natural renewable, low-cost resources of important application potential in the biomedical field, with emphasis on the prevention of the bacterial adhesion and further biofilm development, which are nowadays a major concern in the realm of health-related problems.

Laser welding of aluminium based metal matrix nanocomposites under high speed imaging and spectroscopic monitoring Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-2015 2018 - 2020

Role in this project:

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://cetal.inflpr.ro/newsite/te-136

Abstract:

Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMnC) are light metals or alloys (matrix) reinforced with nanosized elements. The resulting composite material will have the properties of interest of the metal such as lightweight and resistance to corrosion, but will also gain strength, ductility, and wear resistance, elastic modulus, multiplied by orders of magnitude. However, MMnC are not widespread yet in our everyday life due to the difficulties impeded in joining these metals by conventional welding. The main element of difficulty is to keep the nanoparticles homogeneously spread in the liquid matrix during the welding process. Another drawback for particular aluminium based matrixes is the generation of brittle phases which reduce the mechanical properties of the seam. Therefore current approaches are limited to using stir welding for joining MMnC, the only approach that provided until present some positive results in reducing pores, cracking and dissolution of the reinforcement. The aim of this Project is to conduct welding on such materials using laser sources and to provide significant improvements that will put laser welding on the map for viable welding techniques in case of MMnC materials. We will use different laser sources with variable wavelength and pulse duration, process monitoring by optical spectroscopy, imaging and an in-depth physico-chemical and metallurgical study of the welds. We will use new techniques in order to solve this problem: use of laser beams with very short pulses, use of defocused beams of low energy on thin sheets of MMnC (so that welding to be conduction welding instead of keyhole welding and reducing liquid movement), tests with rapid cooling using liquid nitrogen, low concentrations of dispersed nanoparticle phase in order to diminish clustering phenomena.

In vivo testing of novel doped biological-derived hydroxyapatite thin films synthesized by pulsed laser deposition techniques for a new generation of metallic implants Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2016-1568 2018 - 2020

Role in this project:

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://lspi.inflpr.ro/2018/PD6/index.html

Abstract:

An implant represents a medical device or tissue designed to permanently or temporarily replace or support any damaged part of the human body aiming to enhance its functionality. There are still reports of a great number of metallic implants that suffer integration failure in the host body because of scarce biocompatibility and/or poor osseointegration.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a biocompatible material used as a bone replacement due to its proven osseoconductive properties. However, bulk HA presents weak mechanical properties. In contrast to their excellent mechanical properties, the Ti implants elicit low osseointegration rates. Therefore, their surface functionalization with HA coatings is considered to significantly improve osseoconductivity.

The reliability, fast processing and low production costs have advanced Pulsed Laser Deposition as a versatile method used in the field of thin film synthesis.

A great challenge of the nowadays intensive research in the field of bioactive materials is to reach biomimetism. Therefore, these materials have to behave similar to the human bone in order to be easily integrated into the living body, without inducing adverse reactions. The targeted material should contain oligoelements, which are normally present in the human healthy bone and are important for its functionality, and eventually dopants able to boost its bioactivity. The simplest way to obtain a HA with a bone-like composition, is to manufacture the powders from sustainable materials, such as those of biological origins. Compared to synthetic HA, these novel materials have a great ability to create perfect connections with the host tissue at the implantation site.

The limited reports available in the literature and the recent progresses made by our research team on the synthesis and exhaustive analyses of these renewable materials, validated their use for in vivo tests and the envisaged results should offer guidance toward future medical applications.

Innovative multifunctional nanoparticle-mediated delivery of antimicrobial peptide for improved performance of medical implants Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0884 2017 - 2019

Role in this project:

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://lspi.inflpr.ro/2017/BIOMATE142/

Abstract:

Antimicrobial agents have dramatically reduced the number of deaths from infectious diseases since their introduction 70 years ago. However, through overuse and misuse, many micro-organisms have become resistant to them.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are gaining increasing interest as potential therapeutics due to their ability to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their potential as antibioﬁlm agents. Since AMPs target bacterial membranes, it will likely be difficult for microorganisms to develop resistance to AMPs.

In this Project, we will use antimicrobial peptides nanoencapsulated in mesoporous biopolymeric/magnetic nanoparticle composites materials.

The nanovectors will be delivered to implant surfaces as thin coatings via laser light, using a deposition technique called MAPLE (Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation).

The deposited nanoparticle layers will be thoroughly investigated by AFM (surface roughness of coatings, surface parameters, 3D surface profiles), SEM (particles shape, coalescence, diameter assessment), TEM (biopolymer crystallinity, visualization of composing layers), XRD (crystallinity of composing elements), FTIR (comparison of functional peaks from both targets and coatings spectra) and adherence tests at the substrate-nanocoating interfaces.

The antimicrobial activity will be assessed on planktonic and biofilm embedded in ESKAPE Gram-negative rods pathogens.

Biocompatibility and antibacterial efficiency of nanovectors will be tested in a final in vivo step on white holoxenic mice.

The absolute novelty of this project consists of establishing novel antimicrobial strategy with preventive and therapeutic value for the management of antimicrobial resistance. Another proposal breakthrough consists of performing a slight modification of the MAPLE experimental set-up by using a cooler for the substrate also - reverse MAPLE that is supposed to increase the porosity of deposited nanocomposite and thus increase its adsorption capacity.

3D laser additive manufacturing of cranial metallic prostheses functionalized with bioactive ceramic coatings Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-1309 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

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 MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO)

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

Project website: http://cetal.inflpr.ro/projects/LaMP/PED241/

Abstract:

This Project starts from an existing technology for synthesis of personalized cranial prostheses developed in collaboration between the Laser-Surface-Plasma Interactions Laboratory in INFLPR and Dr. Oblu Hospital in Iasi and it aims towards a radical modification of the method for easier implementation, an increase in prostheses shape and dimensions flexibility and a drastic reduction of production costs. The initial procedure started with acquisition of commercial metallic prostheses shaped in form of a mesh (1), their coating with a thin film of bioactive ceramic by pulsed laser deposition, identification of fractures dimensions by computer tomography (3), manual cutting of the meshes function of the wound dimensions (5). The new method involves a single step direct synthesis by laser additive manufacturing of a prosthesis with required dimensions covered by a bioactive layer, starting from metallic and ceramic powders. The aim is to eliminate the steps that involve acquisition of expensive commercial devices and the deposition techniques that require high vacuum and heating of the prostheses at high temperatures. We aim at the end of the Project to delineate the technology that will allow a single user to scan a patient by computer tomography, the fracture’s dimensions to be introduced in a pre-established CAD-CAM software and with the push of a single button to be able to generate in real time a prosthesis with required dimensions and functionality.

Ag/Si doped carbon layers for medical applications Call name:
2014 - 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 ()

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

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/contracte%20noi/site%20CarLa/index.html

Abstract:

This innovative R&D project is focused on the new technological dimension for the antibacterial and osseointegrated coatings. The CarLa project is connected with the topic of materials science and engineering (design of new interfaces, surfaces and coatings in form of Ag/Si doped DLC) including usage of nanotechnologies and production processes for coatings fabrication. Apart from the technological part, project consists also of coatings’ characterization and mechanical properties estimation. Project predicts also the industrial partners (SMEs) and commercialization of the results that is why it also includes the third part of research – biological tests. That consists of its multidisciplinary character. The aim of the project is to solve the global problem of society and medicine on the whole world. Through that project inscribes to the strategic aim of the M-ERA.NET Programme – increases interdisciplinary cooperation in order to create a powerful network to tackle European and global challenges – in this case post-implantation complications which are caused by the infections and/or allergy induced by alloying elements. The expected results of this project will cover elaboration of Ag/Si doped carbon coatings, their mechanical verification, biological evaluation and testing under industrial conditions in order to introduce to the market the new safe product with satisfying osseointegration, antimicrobial and mechanical properties.The results of the CarLa Project are expected to be for the big benefit of the European industry and society. The industry will get an ecological, simply, cheap and easy to implement technology in favor of healthier society – the offer of biomaterials with better properties giving faster healing processes for patients and lower risk of infection during and after implantation. Trough that it fulfills the efforts of new innovation oriented economy in EU.

Thanks to the technologies, which will be worked out in the frame of this project, new markets will be opened not only for these represented by the industry partners (dentistry and orthopedic) within the confines of the project consortium. We also expect that technologies we are going to apply will have a wide range of potential to be used in many branches of industry, also apart from these provided by the SME partners. The cooperation in the frame of transnational consortium give us a chance to exploit international technology and market expertise.

Highly adherent biological Hydroxyapatite thin films synthesized by pulsed laser deposition techniques for medical applications Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1570 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

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://lspi.inflpr.ro/contracte%20noi/site%20TE%20108/index.html

Abstract:

The surface functionalization of the implants represents an advanced development in implantology. Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings for implants are the subject of recent researches pointing to the improvement of biointegration.

This project aims to improve the efficiency of the public health system by studying and developing of Pulsed Laser Deposition protocols for the synthesis of biocompatible nanostructured layers of innovative materials (biological HA, simple or reinforced with various ions) onto metallic substrates (Ti and Ti alloys) for implantology.

The synthesized nanostructures with controlled morphology, structure, thickness and adherence will be thoroughly studied by complex physical-chemical and mechanical investigations. During in-vitro specific bioactivity assays (Simulated Body Fluids), the physical-chemical modifications of the implant’s surface will be monitored as an effect of the interaction with the biological fluids. In-vitro cell cultures and antimicrobial tests will consist in the study of adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of cells and bacterial and fungal strains adhesion onto the studied materials, in order to quantify their biological response.

The expected results refer to obtaining competitive biomimetic implants with increased functionality and biological efficiency as compared to the ones synthesized by plasma spraying, the single technique used nowadays for coating of medical implants.

Processing and immobilization by laser techniques of carbon based nanocomposite materials for high performance optoelectronic devices Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2012 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2012-4-0292 2013 - 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)

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

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/Contracts/Contracts.html

Abstract:

The aim of the proposed project is the synthesis and deposition of graphene based materials in form of continuous thin films by laser induced forward transfer. The final objective is the versatile and inexpensive production of graphene-based structures for flexible and transparent electronic devices as interactive displays and organic solar cells. In particular, polymers with high absorbance at the wavelength of the incident laser radiation such as polystyrene (PS), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) will be used as sacrificial matrices for the immobilisation of conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) - graphene oxide nanocomposites. The structures will be immobilised onto flexible polymer sheets of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), PET and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), commonly used for flexible electronic devices. As a starting material we shall use graphene oxide dispersions. As a first step of our investigations the photoreduction of graphene oxide through direct laser irradiation will be performed in order to achieve a versatile, environment-friendly and low-cost method for graphene production. Afterwards, graphene-based materials will be transferred to the polymeric substrates by laser technique. The physicochemical mechanisms involved in the laser-matter interaction processes will be studied and they will be associated to the compositional, structural as well as functional properties of the obtained materials.

Complex high surface area photoactive nano-materials for environmentally-friendly energy production and organic pollutants degradation Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1235 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

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

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

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/Contracts/Contracts.html

Abstract:

The extension of absorption range of commercial photoactive oxide semiconductor catalysts from the UV, representing only about 4 % of the solar radiation, to the visible region, about 42 % of the solar spectrum will be achieved by nanostructuring leading to the increase of the active surface area, addition of noble metal nanoparticles as well as anion and cation dopant inclusion. The influence of dopants concentration, noble metal nanoparticles size, density, and shape, as well as active surface area on pollutant removal efficiency will be systematically investigated.

Multi-parameter nanosensors synthesized by advanced metal oxide technologies Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0735 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei (INFLPR)

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

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei (INFLPR) (RO)

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/contracte%20noi/site%20ID%20304/index.html

Abstract:

The main goal of this project is the research, design, testing and prototype fabrication of multi-parameter sensors based on nanostructured metal-oxides. A selection of advanced laser-assisted techniques (PLD - pulsed laser deposition; CPLD - combinatorial pulsed deposition, MAPLE - matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation, LIFT - laser induced forward transfer, PLALM-pulsed laser ablation in liquid media) along with alternative non-laser based techniques such as MS - magnetron sputtering will be considered to fabricate high-quality nanometric/nanostructured metal oxide layers. The multipulse laser ablation will be conducted in parallel with ns (excimer) or fs (Ti:sapphire) laser pulses. The materials of interest for sensing in this project are Fe2O3, TiO2, ZnO, and WO3. The end products will be advanced thermo-photo-tenso-gas-magnetic-bio sensors (multi-parameter sensors) in form of thin films, nanoparticles or nanowires on integrated microelectronic and optical components. The sensing structures will be: monosensors based on single metal oxide layers, multi-parameter sensors with alternate layers in form of parallel strips or superposed layers of the same oxide in different structures, or multi-parameter sensors with alternate layers in form of parallel strips of different oxides. For all types of deposited nanostructures, the sensing performance will be boosted through coverage with noble metal nanoparticles generated by PLALM.

Investigations of ZrC thin films properties for TRISO nuclear fuel applications Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0407 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

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

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

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

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/contracte%20noi/site%20ID%20337/index.html

Abstract:

Zirconium carbide is a refractory material, with a very high melting temperature, good thermochemical stability, high hardness, a rather low cross section for thermal neutrons capture and a high retention rate of the nuclear fission products. These properties are critical for the use of ZrC thin films for nuclear fuel encapsulation applications in very high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactors using tri-structural isotropic coated particles (TRISO). There are many unknowns regarding such complex and demanding applications. The investigations to solve them were hampered by the lack of suitable quality ZrC films. We obtained using the pulsed laser deposition technique some of the best quality ZrC films reported so far: nanohardness higher than 40 GPa, density above 97% of the bulk value, surface roughness below 1 nm (rms), good crystallinity and oxygen content below 1.5%. These ZrC films are ideal to perform investigations about the diffusion coefficients of Pd and Ag, chemical interactions with nuclear fission products, the energetics of defects formation, diffusion and clustering during irradiation, the influence of defects and understoichiometry (loss of C) on the microstructure, thermochemical and mechanical properties, the interaction with H and Xe. Three groups from the University of Florida, University of Nevada Las Vegas and CEA Orsay will join forces with us to tackle these complex and multidisciplinary problems.

Hard and adherent carbon thin films synthesized by pulsed laser deposition for wear protection of metallurgical cutting and drilling tools Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2012 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2012-3-0379 2013 - 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)

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

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/Contracts/Contracts.html

Abstract:

This proposal focuses on the synthesis by pulsed laser deposition of hard carbon films and their physico-chemical, mechanical and tribological characterization. Diverse amorphous or nanocrystaline structures with different sp3/sp2 ratio will be obtained, by varying deposition parameters such as fluence, atmosphere, pressure, substrate temperature, target-substrate separation distance. All deposited films will be preliminary characterized in terms hardness. The most interesting structures will be investigated by SEM, AFM, XRD, XRR, XPS or Raman spectroscopy and mechanically in terms of adherence, hardness, Young modulus, wear resistance and fretting. The evolution of mechanical properties function of films structure will be observed by tracing diagrams “deposition parameter/carbon structure” and “hardness/structural parameter”. A model that takes into account structural parameters of carbon films to explain the evolution of mechanical properties will be developed. Metallurgical cutting blades and piercing drills will be covered by PLD with the best carbon films in terms of mechanical properties and studied in real applications susceptible to wear and high temperatures. The coatings will be subsequently studied for wear signs, cracks and delamination. A microscopic comparison with uncoated or WC and ZrC carbide coated standard tools will be performed. The final goal is to obtain tools covered with carbon films by PLD superior in resistance to commercially available solutions.

Pulsed laser nanostructuring, assembling and immobilization of biomaterials Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0083 2012 - 2014

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei (INFLPR)

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

Affiliation:

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/Contracts/Contracts.html

Abstract:

Laser-assisted methods prove some key advantages over the other deposition/transfer techniques: the accurate control of the layer thickness and/or expulsed material, absence of contamination, uniform distribution of material over quite large areas and rather easy synthesis of multistructures. Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) method was particularly developed to provide a soft laser transfer of organic and/or biologic materials. Other advanced transfer method is Laser Direct Writing (LDW), also known as Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT). LDW technologies are used to transfer materials on complex 2D or 3D structures. The main goal of this project is the fabrication of multi-layered structures of Exopolysaccharides (EPS) and Immunoglobulins (Ig) in order to get a better immobilization of the protein, without using any other additives, like lipids. To this aim we will use MAPLE or LDW to deposit EPS and Ig on appropriate substrates. The protein immobilization depends on composition, reactivity, wettability, and roughness of the substrate surface. Special attention will be paid to adhesion and stability of the layers. Functionality of the structures will be proved by immunostaining assays. A second goal will be the targeted delivery of specific drugs combined and/or not with Ig proteins by controlling EPS solubility in different biological fluids.

Nanostructures processed by laser techniques for photovoltaic applications Call name:
PN-II-RU-TE-2009-1-98 2010 - 2013

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 ()

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

Project website: http://lspi.inflpr.ro/contracte%20noi/site%20TE%2084/Varianta%20in%20engleza/index2.html

Abstract:

In the frame of this project, we demonstrates the possibility of increasing improving the efficiency of photovoltaic conversion of solar radiation into electricity using two innovative concepts by trapping and coupling of light. These two research directions are based on surface plasmon resonance and nanostructured materials with potential for photovoltaics industry.

Due to its versatility and advantages, the laser will be the main tool which will be applied in all technological procedures and processing developed in this contract. This project follows to improve the trapping and coupling efficiency of light which will result in a significant increase of solar cell efficiency structures.

Therefore, in our studies we employed a variety of materials in the form of thin layers or bulk and mixture of oxides doped (ZnO, TiO2, ITO, In2O3), metals (Mg, Al, GA, Au, Ag, Pt), p-, n-type or intrinsic semiconductors (Si, SiGe, CdTe, CdS, ZnTe, etc) to manufacture photovoltaic structures that are based on these innovative concepts.

The thin films and nanoparticles will be fabricated by laser techniques adapted to the goals of project. In our studies of surface nanostructuring will be used the radiation emitted from a wide range of pulsed laser sources with different properties. The proposed investigation techniques are complementary and provide a complete characterization of all synthesized structures.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader	Download (122.24 kb) 20/02/2024
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects