BrainMap

Lucian Ion

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Researcher | Teaching staff | Manager

Expertise & keywords

Advanced nanoelectronic devices based on graphene/ferroelectric heterostructures (GRAPHENEFERRO) Call name: P 4 - Proiecte Complexe de Cercetare de Frontieră
PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0033 2018 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

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); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

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

Abstract:

Applications such as high-frequency and neuromorphic circuits, optoelectronic/plasmonic detection of biomolecules or thermo-opto-electronics energy harvesting, require tunable and reconfigurable functionalities. Graphene is suitable for these applications because of electrostatic doping, its optical constants being tuned via gate voltages. However, oxide substrates limit the mobility in graphene to few thousands cm2/V•s. On the contrary, the mobility in graphene/ferroelectric (G/F) heterostructures is 2-3 orders of magnitude larger. The groundbreaking nature of the project is based on the possibility of significantly enhancing the functionality of graphene-based transistors/devices by using crystalline ferroelectric substrates instead of common oxides or SiC substrates. The G/F heterostructures allow: (i) the achievement of very high mobilities in G/F field effect transistors (FETs), which push the transistor gain in the 0.3-1 THz range, far above 70 GHz at which the maximum gain is attained nowadays, (ii) the fabrication of uncooled tunable detectors working in the THz and IR, (iii) the exploitation of the hysteretic resistance behaviour, essential for neuromorphic applications such as artificial synapses, (iv) the fabrication of reconfigurable microwave circuits, and (v) of tunable thermoelectronic devices, since graphene displays a giant thermoelectric effect. The project will consist of the design, fabrication and testing of groundbreaking, innovative nanoelectronic devices, in particular ultrafast electronic devices, neuromorphic circuits for computation, reconfigurable and harvesting devices, all based on the outstanding physical properties of G/F heterostructures. All fabrication techniques for growing graphene-ferroelectric heterostructures in this project should be scalable at wafer scale. The project is implemented by a consortium of 3 national R&D institutes and the leading Romanian university, which have the necessary advanced infrastructure.

Extensive use of experience in space and security activities Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0371 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE STIINTE SPATIALE-FILIALA INFLPR

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE STIINTE SPATIALE-FILIALA INFLPR (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); CENTRUL INTERNAŢIONAL PENTRU PREGĂTIRE AVANSATĂ ŞI CERCETARE ÎN FIZICĂ-FILIALĂ A INCDFM BUCUREŞTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL ASTRONOMIC (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "DUNAREA DE JOS" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.spacescience.ro/projects/vess

Abstract:

The goal of the project is to improve the institutional performance of the partners, including those with the potential for relaunching, by developing space and security competencies and by encouraging the orientation of research activities in pragmatic directions. Space activity involves the development of technologies and technologies validated in extreme conditions, which have significant applicative potential in various priority economic and social domains.

The VESS project is based on the experience gained by the Coordinator through participation in ESA scientific missions, the development and validation of flight software and hardware components, the development of countermeasures in the context of human crew space missions. Partners contribute with their own skills in areas such as math physics, computer science, advanced technologies, astronomy. VESS will provide knowledge sharing and exploitation within and outside the consortium by creating technology transfer and knowledge transfer offers to other areas of activity. Furthermore, VESS will allow joint use of existing research infrastructures for partners. The four component projects are oriented, each by its specificity, both to the consolidation of the Romanian presence in the activities of ESA, as well as to the capitalization in the economic and social environment of the obtained results. Ensuring synergic interaction between component projects at the level of the complex project will maximize the chances of success and superior valorisation of the results. The joint RDI program to be developed will lay the foundations for a field of competence in space and derivative applications. The offer of services to the socio-economic environment will be achieved by organizing workshops that will be provided with adequate advertising. The patenting of the results will be done by the partners directly involved in the activities that produced these results.

The dynamics of atomic and nuclear systems in extreme light Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0792 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.nicolin.info/WWW/IDEI2016.htm

Abstract:

Motivated by the two-folded scientific plan of the Nuclear Physics pillar of the Extreme Light Infrastructure European Facility (ELI-NP), which bridges nuclear physics with ultra-intense laser fields, we propose here a series of frontier investigations into dipole nuclear excitations and the interaction of electrons, atoms and metallic clusters with high-intensity and/or high-energy radiation. The present proposal will try to answer several open questions which are very hotly debated concerning the collectivity of PDR, isovector and isoscalar structure, its macroscopic picture and the effects of the coupling with other modes. We expect that the results of our investigations will generate new proposals for the experimental plan of ELI-NP, in particular on the topics of pygmy dipole resonance and the interaction between coherent gamma rays and nuclei.

Since ELI-NP has the potential to generate new states of matter, such as the high density and cold plasmas, which can couple the dynamics of electrons to nuclear systems, we will also focus our efforts on the interaction between intense laser fields and electrons (both bound and free), atoms and clusters. Moreover, the interaction between intense laser fields and electrons is of utmost experimental interest due to its potential to reach accelerating gradients three orders of magnitude larger than those obtained by conventional means, consequently reducing the required acceleration distance by the same factor.

The joint study of the phenomena discussed above is also motivated by the fact that several nuclear processes, including photonuclear reactions, can be influenced by intense laser pulses. The research carried out in this project will involve young master and PhD students, who will elaborate their theses on topics related to the current proposal and in this way our project contributes directly to the new generation of laser and nuclear scientists that will be active during the operational phase of ELI-NP.

Nanostructures for quantum and plasmonic computing Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0122 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.mdeo.eu/MDEO/Proiecte/ID35/Main.php

Abstract:

The project addresses the problem of fast, reliable and accessible computation motivated by the fact that present-day classical Boolean computers are reaching rapidly their limits. Two alternative approaches based on new principles and architectures will be investigated in this multidisciplinary project: quantum and plasmonic computing, the objective being the development of novel and compact configurations of quantum and plasmonic logic gates and algorithms implemented using nanostructures.

This multidisciplinary project will investigate

(i) quantum computing configurations in ballistic two-dimensional electron gases/materials, focusing on developing compact configurations for quantum algorithms working at room-temperature and/or using current measurements as readout procedures.

(ii) logic gates in the plasmonic slot configuration, which involves gap surface plasmons propagating along narrow dielectric gaps in metals (of the order of 100 nm) that can be fabricated with standard technologies.

(iii) tunable plasmonic slot logic circuits with enhanced functionality, in which two-dimensional materials with gate-tunable refractive index influence the outcome of nearby plasmonic circuits.

Vectorial MOKE approach for the investigation of microstructured magnetic thin films. Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0327 2017 - 2018

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.infim.ro/95PED_MicroMag

Abstract:

A complex method for the investigation of some important magnetic parameters of technological interest for magnetic recording media or concerning the magneto-conduction functionality of lateral micro-sized senzors with nanometric thickness is proposed. The considered approach, based on the suitability of the magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) for the investigation of microstructured magnetic thin films, involves both the realization of a specific multifunctional magneto-optic device and the implementation of different measuring methodologies providing information on the magnetic behaviour of the micro-magnetic systems. With respect to the first issue, the practical realization and development of a demonstrative model of advanced high precision optoelectronic device for measuring complex magnetic properties in micrometer sized and nanometer thick magnetic components is envisaged. Innovative solutions in adapting new configurations for the MOKE investigation, via micro-sized focusing on vizualized magnetic micro-structures and specific sample stage with three dimensional scanning and rotational degrees will be considered. The main advantages of the proposed multifunctional vector system (TRL3 level) as compared to already existing MOKE systems will be: (i) the combination of precision, speed and reliability of local (micrometer size) measurements, (ii) the ability to be adapted to both fundamental and applied scientific research and (iii) the suitability for controlling the production process of multi-component (integrated) sensors and actuators. With respect to the second issue, different complex methodologies (TRL3 level) for obtaining as much as complete information on the hysteretic behaviour, anisotropy directions, easy axis distribution, magnetic relaxation phenomena in microstructured thin films and even on magnetic domain configuration will be proposed and implemented on the multifunctional MOKE demonstrator.

Multilayered Photovoltaic Structures for Space Applications Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0776 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO); MGM STAR CONSTRUCT S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://mdeo.eu/MDEO/Proiecte/PN288-2014/

Abstract:

Thin film based PV structures are well fitted for space technology, due to their reduced mass. This proposal aims at investigating technological routes for fabricating thin film based multiple junction photovoltaic (PV) structures of the type ZnS/ZnSe/CdTe in superstrate configurations and to study their endurance to energetic (2-10 MeV) protons and alpha particles, which are the main components of cosmic rays, at 10^10 - 10^14 cm^-2 fluencies. In the superstrate configuration one starts with depositing the transparent front-electrode onto the glass substrate which supports the entire structure, and then, on top of it the ZnS, ZnSe, CdTe layers and finally the back-electrode. The efficiencies of the cells in superstrate configurations will be characterized, and also their endurance to irradiation. Special attention will be paid to the physical properties and the electrical response of the back-contact metal/CdTe. CdTe, an excellent photon absorber with a forbidden gap of 1.4 eV and a large light absorption coefficient, is known as a “difficult” semiconductor: due to its rather large work function, a special care must be taken to prepare a quasi-ohmic low-resistance contact with a metal. Ion implantation will be used to control electrical properties of CdTe layer, by doping with properly selected electrically active impurities. A special attention will be paid to the quality of interfaces; an optimization of the PV structures will be performed. The nature of the defects introduced by irradiation will be studied and their influence on the performance of the structures will be indicated.

High efficiency electrospinning Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1017 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); ADINA S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.infim.ro/projects/high-efficiency-electrospinning

Abstract:

The main objective of the project is to develop a highly efficient alternative of the electrospinning method for preparing polymer nanofibers. The fabrication process we develop aims at using, instead of the classical spinnerets (syringes and pipettes), arrays of metallic micronic and submicronic tubules.

Secondary objectives will be the fabrication of functional metallic fibers, fabrics and products based on it for shielding applications and of complex fibers and fabrics for photovoltaic applications.

The process of electrospinning has numerous advantages. Properties of the fibers can be well controlled. The fibers are very thin and have a high length to diameter ratio, thereby providing a very large surface area per mass unit. A wide range of polymers can be processed in this manner including here natural polymers such as collagen, fibrinogen or polysaccharides. Is a method that allows one to deposit very thin polymer fibers, diameter down to few tens of nanometers.

Although the process is studied since long time ago, a scan through recent scientific literature presents the main shortcoming of the method, the low yield in terms of quantity of material produced.

Thus, the consortium approaches a problem of high technical and scientific interest, namely to develop an alternative to the method in order to increase the efficiency of nanofiber fabrication through electrospinning. We aim at replacing the classic syringe needle, pipette or other capillary with an array of metallic micrometer or submicrometer tubules prepared by a template approach.

The main objective of the groups involved in the present project is related to making the transition from the simple preparation of nanostructures towards fabricating functional nanostructures , namely of polymer, metallic and complex semiconducting fibers with high application potential. The research which will be performed is channeled in a direction strongly connected to the tendencies at international scale.

Analogies between electron transport in nanostructures and light propagation Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0224 2011 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Universitatea din Bucuresti

Project partners: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://mdeo.eu/mdeo/proiecte/ID0224/

Abstract:

The project will explore the analogies between propagation of electromagnetic waves and electron transport in both semiconductor nanostructures governed by the Schrödinger equation and graphene, described by the Dirac equation. In the first case, the analogies are based on the formal similarity between the time-independent Schrödinger equation and the Helmholtz equation, while in the second case the spinor wavefunction in graphene can be put into correspondence with the polarization states of light, electromagnetic field components or light propagation in photonic bandgap structures with a honeycomb lattice. Although electrons and photons differ in many aspects, such as quantum statistics or electric charge, analogies between them have been evidenced in ballistic, i.e. collisionless, and multiple-scattering propagation regimes, when phase coherent effects are preserved. The aim of the project is to develop analogies for cases that have not been studied before, with the intent to emphasize the differences as well as the similarities between electron and photon propagation. In particular, the project is expected to contribute theoretically and experimentally to a better understanding of electron transport in asymmetric inhomogeneous disordered nanoscale conductors and could lead to the design of novel devices based on the analogies between electron and light propagation.

Perovskites for Photovoltaic Efficient Conversion Technology Call name: EEA Research Programme under EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014
EEA-JRP-RO-NO-2013-1-0116 2013 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); University of Oslo (NO); Science Institute, University of Iceland (IS); Reykjavík University (IS); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); OPTOELECTRONICA - 2001 S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

The perovskites, having general formula ABO3, with A and B cations of different valences, are multifunctional materials. Depending on the composition they can behave very differently, having properties specific to metals, dielectrics, ferroelectrics, ferro(ferri)magnetics or super- and semiconductors. Most of these materials are inorganic, as for example the well-known ferroelectrics BaTiO3 or PbTiO3. Other perovskites can be hybrid, if the cation A is replaced with an organic radical. This is the case for halide perovskite compounds (CH3NH3PbX), with X=Br, Cl, I, found recently to possess excellent light absorbing properties in the visible-near infrared spectrum. The use of these materials in solar cells had led to a rapid increased of the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) in the last year up to about 15 %. The typical solar cell is including a transparent electrode (ITO or FTO, both quite expensive and with deficient materials), a TiO2 layer as electron transporter, a halide perovskite as light absorber, a hole transporter (e.g. spiro-OMeTAD), and a counter electrode (e.g. Ag). All these layers can be deposited by low cost technologies. The combination of the relatively high PCE with the low cost technologies makes this type of hybrid photovoltaic solar cell very attractive for future development.

The main objective of the project is to develop perovskite-based photovoltaic devices towards “all perovskite” solar cells with power conversion efficiencies approaching 20% and fabricated with affordable, environmental friendly materials and technologies. The specific objectives are: 1) to understand the mechanisms behind the high efficiency obtained using a hybrid halide perovskite as visible-light absorber; 2) to increase the PCE by using oxide perovskites with ferroelectric properties (e.g. BaTiO3) as carrier transporter; 3) to develop flexible solar cells by replacing the ITO/FTO transparent electrode with metallic nanowebs. The project goals go well beyond the present state-of-the art by trying to integrate a ferroelectric layer as carrier transporter, taking advantage of the presence of its spontaneous polarization, and by replacing the ITO or FTO electrodes with a metallic nanoweb offering more robustness and flexibility.

The final goal is to have an efficient structure with transparent electrodes on both sides, able to collect not only the sun-light but also the light coming from the artificial sources used, especially during the winter, inside office buildings or large malls. Therefore, the project has a very high innovative potential. On the other hand, in-depth studies will be performed in order to understand the physical phenomena in perovskite solar cells. Ways to enhance the performances can be found if the physics behind the functioning of these devices is well understood and if the fabrication technologies are well mastered.

A broad range of complementary experimental techniques – all available within the consortium - will be used to prepare and characterize these structures. Regarding the preparation, the goal is to use low cost printing like methods for deposition of the component layers in the final device. Other methods (e.g. sputtering, vapour deposition or laser ablation) will be used to prepare samples for investigating the physical properties in relation with the structural, electrical and optical quality. The feedback will be used to improve the deposition methods and the structure architecture. Also, the experimental results will be used as inputs in theoretical models allowing predictions for further enhancement of the PCE. The consortium is composed by 6 partners: 3 from Romania (a national research institute as coordinator, an university and a SME as end-user); 2 from Iceland (2 universities), and 1 from Norway (university). The consortium members have all the necessary skills, expertise and infrastructures to successfully fulfill the project objectives within the requested budget.

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