BrainMap

Lorena Iancu

IIIrd degree researcher

Researcher - Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Researcher

Expertise & keywords

3D technologies and experimental solutions for cultural heritage diagnosis and preservation Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3885 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://icechim.ro/project/ped-687-2022/

Abstract:

This project will materialize in transdisciplinary collaboration between the team of specialists: archaeologists, archaeometry, and computer scientists and will lead to the development of 3D technologies (3D laser scanners and photogrammetric methods) for storing information in digital format about the Dobrogean medieval heritage built of stone (Sacidava Fortress) which has not been investigated so far. The new 3D technologies proposed to be used for scanning, photography and moving, will serve to map the archaeological site and will be supplemented with physicochemical and biological studies, through analytical techniques of structural, compositional, and morphological characteristics to assess chromatic uniformity, degradation status, and other information related to the period, geographical location, shape, construction material, level of degradation. It is known that the artifacts are particularly vulnerable, and their release from the environment where they were buried accelerates the processes of corrosion and degradation, which can lead to the destruction of archaeological evidence.

The characterization of historical materials will include non-destructive methods in situ and in the laboratory: chromatic analysis, UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, SEM / EDS, thermal analysis, compressive strength, strength to frost, the crystallization of salts. Based on the results obtained, tests will be performed on model substrates prepared in the laboratory and on real samples (received from site archaeologists, in compliance with legislation) by using nanomaterials (substituted hydroxyapatite derivatives) that meet the criteria of compatibility with historical materials. The mapping of this archeological site, its degradation state, the elaboration of new solutions for the conservation of the stone surfaces exposed in the atmosphere and humidity due to the proximity of the Danube, will be achieved.

Innovative solutions for the protection and preservation of book and manuscript paper Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3183 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: COMPLEXUL MUZEAL NAŢIONAL "MOLDOVA" IAŞI

Project partners: COMPLEXUL MUZEAL NAŢIONAL "MOLDOVA" IAŞI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.aspirationped.ro

Abstract:

ASPIRATION will create a strong relationship between cultural heritage, conservation, technological innovation, economic development and competitiveness, contributing to the safeguarding and understanding of cultural property, in its aesthetic and historical meanings, physical integrity, context and social aspects. The project will respond to serious preservation/restoration problems of paper historical objects, offering solutions through a new multi-steps preservation process, such as cleaning fragile cellulose-based documents, metal-inks ‘corrosion’, conservation treatments by mass de-acidification, creating an alkaline reserve, a proper storage environment for the treated bio-based materials (books, papers, textiles, leather, wood) within archives or museum collections, combining the eco-friendly solvents and nanotechnology and with a protection process for storing the artefacts in an oxygen depleted atmosphere. The project will offer a clear presentation and argumentation of TRL, the solutions already patented being transferred from the experimental proof of concept (TRL3) (EP2626464 B1) technology validated in lab (TRL4) through testing and validation of the whole treatment process: non aqueous de-acidification, significant improvements of paper cleaning surface (by gellan, psyllium and synthetic silicate colloidal gels), dye corrosion, strengthen with polysaccharide compounds (CMC) with a minimal stress. Also, will be a transferring process from technology formulated concept (TRL2) to (TRL4), for the storage steps in order to reduce the degradation for a long time (> 20 years) by setting a protective oxygen depleted atmosphere storage process, to avoid the impact of degradation due to the presence of atmospheric oxygen and with low protection costs. In integrum, will be a concerted treatment/cleaning/storage technology of conservation for the books and manuscripts paper from library and archive materials.

NEW DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND REVITALIZATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPONENTS FROM NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0476 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "VALAHIA" TARGOVISTE (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: https://icechim.ro/project/tehnologii-noi-de-diagnoza-si-tratament-pentru-conservarea-si-revitalizarea-componentelor-arheologice-ale-patrimoniului-cultural-national-arheocons/

Abstract:

The cultural heritage, as a source of national historical and cultural authenticity, is subjected to deterioration, and for stopping it, some specific procedures are required: cleaning, replacement of old materials and application of new protective materials compatible with the original, and advanced monitoring with sustainability assessment. The consortium of the present project has a unique expertise in Romania, recognised in Europe, through the many published papers, essential projects in Romania (Basarabi Churches, Potlogi Palace, etc.), OSIM and EPO patents, technology transfer, nanomaterials in chemical and biological preservation for cultural heritage objects and objectives; the partner institutions complement each other on a regional basis in the working plan of the whole project.

The overall objective of the project is to develop new materials, new methods and technologies that obey the principles of authenticity, reversibility and value, with a strong impact on immobile cultural heritage objects (fresco, basreliefs and mosaic) and mobile (decorative artefacts from ceramics, glass, metal, bone, objects of art and archaeology). Specific objectives: Developing innovative technologies for protecting national cultural heritage, multidisciplinary cross-sectoral approach, encouraging young professionals as leaders in heritage preservation, exploitation of research results for new jobs, promoting heritage education, professional expertise among all factors involved in the patrimony protection system.

The project, with a high degree of innovation and originality, applies unique technologies in Romania based on new materials compatible with the original materials and develops new techniques practical applied to: Roman Mosaic and Hypogeum Tomb, Constanta, Adamclisi Museum (basreliefs), Constanta County, Corvin’s Castle (Fresca Loggia Mathia) and Archaeology Museum, Hunedoara.

Innovative technologies for advanced recovery of waste materials from IT and telecommunication equipment Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0652 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA 1 DECEMBRIE 1918 ALBA IULIA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: https://tradeit.utcluj.ro/

Abstract:

Although in 2016, at global level, the quantity of WEEE was over 45Mt (increasing 3-5% yearly), the estimated recycling rate only reaches 15-20%. Out of the total WEEE quantity, IT and telecommunication equipment waste (WEITT) represents c.a.15%, while printed circuit board waste, albeit only 3-6% of the total DEIT waste, concentrates 40% of the recoverable metals. At international level, the usual industrial technologies are mainly based on physical-mechanical and pyro-metallurgic procedures, but require high energy consumption and generate toxic by-products. At national level, reported research on WEITT processing is limited to the laboratory, while industrial processing agents only collect DEIT for export.

The consortium, composed of the Technical and Babeș-Bolyai universities of Cluj-Napoca, "1 Decembrie 1918" of Alba Iulia, Technical "Gheorghe Asachi" of Iași, INDO-INOE 2000 Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation subsidiary ICIA and the National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry, will elaborate, test and validate a complex of installations and optimised technologies for the integral reclaiming of WEITT materials, based on the following principles: 1) minimal energy consumption and reduced quantities of secondary waste, with reduced environmental impact, 2) smart disassembling and separation (mechanical, electrical and electrochemical) in order to obtain new or recycled materials with high purity and high economical value, 3) valorification of resulted plastic materials through non-polluting chemical technologies and their reintroduction in the production process, 4) development of a platform for monitoring environmental impacts and for learning reclaiming technologies for DEIT material 5) transfer of the developed technologies to companies in the Romanian reclaiming and recycling industry.

COMPOSITES WITH HIGH IMPACT STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE BASED ON RECOVERED POLYPROPYLENE Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Cecuri de inovare
PN-III-P2-2.1-CI-2017-0674 2017 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: BERIMPEX SRL

Project partners: BERIMPEX SRL (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=32

Abstract:

This project aims the development and implementation of an innovative obtaining process of high-impact resistant composites and endurance based on recovered polypropylene.

The practical objective of the project is to improve the competitiveness and the level of technological development of the beneficiary (S.C. BERIMPEX SRL) by implementing the obtaining procedure of innovative high-impact resistant recovered polypropylene composites.

The reintroducing into the economic circuit of recovered polypropylene especially from technological waste and packaging leads to significant energy and material savings compared to the monomer and subsequent polymer synthesis, contributing also to environmental decontamination.

The final point of the project will be the composites implementation to the beneficiary which will materialized in replacement the raw materials used in present (native polypropylene) to obtain different items by injection molding.

The use of the composites based on recovered polypropylene and styrene-diene block-copolymers as raw materials instead of native polypropylene will lead to a 32 % decrease of the manufacturing costs, also ensuring superior impact strength and an increase of about 50 % of endurance, elements that are prerequisites both for the production growth and diversification and for widening market outlets.

The research team from The National Research and Development from Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM Bucharest involved in the project as service provider has a rich experience in the obtaining and characterization of plastics and elastomers, proven by numerous studies, projects and publication in the project domain.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR OPAQUING AND PHOTOCHEMICAL PROTECTION OF SURFACES PAINTED WITH ACRYLIC PAINTS Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Cecuri de inovare
PN-III-P2-2.1-CI-2017-0599 2017 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: DECOBOX INTERNATIONAL SRL

Project partners: DECOBOX INTERNATIONAL SRL (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=36&lang=ro

Abstract:

For wood finishing, both for practical and aesthetic purposes, some paint layers are applied, the obtained film being able to improve the wood surfaces strength to crush, spots and scratches. Depending on the quality of products used in decoration and used technology a matte or a glossy film are obtained. The acrylics paints are now considered to be some of the most important solutions for such applications, being appreciated for the color intensity, quick drying and high solubility. Because the glossy surfaces are susceptible to photodegradation induced by exposure to light, it is necessary to find a solution for preventing the painted layer deterioration with long lasting effects of pictorial art and cultural heritage preservation.

At the same time, for aesthetic reasons of certain painted objects, it is desirable to have opaque surfaces, or to convert the matte surface into glossy one. This is reflected in the necessity / objective of this project: solving a problem of the economic agent linked to lack of a solution of opaquing the shiny surfaces by offering of a solution suspension based on nanoparticles - a metal oxide TiO2 and hydroxyapatite, which concerted provides both opacity of a glossy painted surface, their photostabilization due to the effects of photocatalyst titanium dioxide and getting the remediation effects induced by hydroxyapatite through its antimicrobial capacity and its ability to cover the pores generated by the degradative effects induced by light on painted surfaces (in case of painted works of art).

Innovative solutions to increase energy efficiency of buildings and industrial equipments by using composite thermal insulating biodegradable materials Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1709 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); CEPROCIM S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.ir.ro/biotherm

Abstract:

The BIO-THERM project proposal refers to environmentally friendly products obtained from renewable raw materials, intended for insulating industrial buildings and equipment. The products submitted to be created by the project are biodegradable, with a high useful life and a low risk of bio-deterioration and fire. The project’s theme complies with Research theme 3.1.2, Environmentally friendly products (green chemistry), Research Direction 3.1, Means and mechanisms for reducing environmental pollution, Area 3, Environment.

The project’s overall goal is to obtain new biodegradable thermal insulating composite materials and their innovative use in order to increase the thermal efficiency of industrial buildings and equipment. The project’s specific goals are:

(i) The selection of fungus and bacteria groupings that efficiently form spongy structures from a mixture of lignocellulose, plastic and mineral materials;

(ii) The creation of inoculating bio-products for the fabrication of biodegradable thermal insulating composite materials;

(iii) Developing specific thermal insulating material forming procedures;

(iv) Determining the new materials’ characteristics;

(v) Setting the optimum usage methods for the thermal insulation of industrial buildings and equipment;

(vi) The intellectual protection of the innovative solutions;

(vii) The technical and economic and eco-efficiency analyses of the new biodegradable thermal insulating composite materials;

(viii) The wide-scale dissemination of the results obtained within the project

The project develops existing solutions for obtaining thermal insulating materials from spongy structures formed by fungi grown on lignocellulose waste, via contributions that reduce the disadvantages of the known solutions.

The goal of introducing thermal resistant recycled plastic materials (ex. polypropylene) is to reduce the bio-deterioration potential (by limiting the biocomposite’s bio-degradation speed) and to increase the mechanical strength by creating a framework of improved resistance.

Co-cultivating fungi with bacteria that stimulates their growth and forms biofilms on the plastic materials in the mixture aims to reduce the material fabrication time (and to increase the direct economic efficiency) and to achieve compatibility between the hydrophobic (recycled plastic materials) and hydrophilic (lignocellulose material) components.

The absorbing mineral materials (for ex.. kieselgur or zeolies) reduce water activity in the substrate (drying in the final fabrication stage), limiting the bio-deterioration potential, providing the required micro-elements to accelerate the growth of microorganisms in the cultivation stage and reducing the risk of fire.

Using the granular bio-preparation with fungus and bacteria spores allows the material to be fabricated in various shapes, by growing it into molds specially formed for the desired applications, by controlled development on the surfaces it was sprayed along with the growth substrate mixture, by directed in situ cultivation to fill cavities. Directed in situ cultivation provides the ability to repair the thermal insulating materials created using this process, increases its useful life and eco-efficiency.

The final drying of the resulting process down to less than 10% material humidity is meant to deactivate the microorganisms and to provide the thermal and physical characteristics needed for the intended uses.

By varying the lignocellulose and plastic material mixture composition, as well as using different microorganism groupings (fungi forming the spongy mycelium and bacteria that stimulate fungal growth and make the substrate compatible), materials with different properties, for various uses, may be obtained.

Reuse waste polypropilenes using a new additive Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0181 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PENTRU ACOPERIRI AVANSATE ICAA S.A.

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PENTRU ACOPERIRI AVANSATE ICAA S.A. (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://icaaro.com/doc/Fisa%20prezentare%20REPOLY.pdf

Abstract:

The main goal of this project is to reintroduce the recovered polypropylene after its lifetime use in the economic circuit as high performance composite materials. There will be used the current industrial technology for melt alloying of the components. The project task consists in the obtaining of new styrene-isoprene block copolymers with thermoplastic elastomeric properties for advanced recycling of recovered polypropylene. A new technology is proposed for the obtaining of styrene-isoprene block copolymers-recovered polypropylene composite materials with high performance impact strength especially below 0°C. The recycled composite material is cheap and shows higher impact strengths (2-4 times higher) even than the unused initial polypropylene form current production according to our recent experimental results. Therefore, advanced recycling of polypropylene wastes could be ensured with favourable effects for depollution and environmental protection.

The present research focuses on establishing the molecular and compositional parameters for styrene-isoprene block copolymers resulting in recovered polypropylene composites with optimum properties.

The synthesis of styrene-isoprene block copolymers will be done by solution sequential anionic polymerization of monomers with n-BuLi as initiator which permits precise and reproducible block copolymers to be obtained. The molecular weights of the polystyrene and poly-isoprene blocks are well defined with a narrow distribution.

Solution polymerization is a modern non-polluting technique with low water consumption and the solvent is fully recovered at the end of the synthesis of styrene-isoprene block copolymers and then reused. In this way the resource is preserved and the environment is not polluted with waste waters.

These block copolymers will be obtained with certain structures and physico-mechanical properties so that their melt alloying with recovered polypropylene will lead to high impact composites.

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