BrainMap

Mrs. MIHAELA FLOREA

PhD

- INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA

Researcher

Publons/ResearcherID: B-6667-2011

Curriculum Vitae (26/03/2020)

Expertise & keywords

Energy biogenerators: Design of new electrocatalysts for PEMFCs working with bioethanol with application for portable devices Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1758 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); Ministerul Apararii Nationale prin Centrul de Cercetare Stiintifica pentru Aparare CBRN si Ecologie (RO); STIMPEX S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.unibuc.ro/prof/florea_mi/Proiect-de-cercetare-PCCA-56-20140/index.php

Abstract:

The scientific and technical challenges facing fuel cells technology is the cost reduction and increased durability of materials and component. The challenges are substantial and require scientific breakthroughs and significant technological developments coupled with a continued social commitment. Therefore, our partnership proposes to undertake a two years research program with the aim to develop a unique fuel cells based energy system for portable applications. The fuel cells will be powered directly by bioethanol and will be in the electrical power range of 0.001-100w.
The development of an appropriate electrocatalyst to achieve high activity, high stability and high selectivity for the anodic oxidation of bioethanol in a micro-fuel cell power source will be the main outcome of the project. Surprisingly, there is a lack of data in the literature concerning the effect of non-noble metals on the activity of electrocatalytic materials. The project aims at filling this lack, by providing a low metal loading and low cost catalyst formulation to be used as anode in the fuel cell, and this makes ERGBIOGEN project new and original.
The project requires the close association and collaboration between experts in the fields of materials, catalysis, electrochemistry and engineering. This is fulfilled by the choice of the consortium, and therefore this project presents a collaborative consortium of four leading research groups from Romania, with complementary expertise.

Wastewaters treatment through flocculation- oxidation processes mediated by red mud derived flocculants and catalysts Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0177 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU METALE NEFEROASE SI RARE - IMNR (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); EDAS-EXIM SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.unibuc.ro/depts/chimie/chimie_organica_biochimie_si_cataliza/PROIECTE-DE-CERCETARE/pn-ii-pt-pccaPN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0177-2013-4-01770/

Abstract:

The project aims the development of an innovative technology for the treatment of wastewaters with high organic loading which may occur from different sources such as: food processing, stock farming, tanneries, oil pumping stations, engine cleaning stations.
The ground principle for the new technology is fighting pollution by valorizing the useful components from pollutants, or briefly ”Pollutants fighting pollution”. In this way the benefic impact on the environment is practically doubled. On one hand the volume of industrial wastes polluting the soil and waters is diminished, and on the other hand after the treatment clean water is obtained while decreasing the consumption of chemical grade reagents utilized in water treatment, as well as the costs related to the consumption of energy, raw and auxiliary materials needed for their manufacture avoiding also the emissions of other pollutants.
The industrial waste which is going to be valorized for this purpose is the red mud which is yielded in huge quantities from alumina manufacturing by Bayer process. Red mud is a highly alkaline residue (pH >11,5) with high concentration of iron oxides (40-50%) along with other oxides such as Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, Na2O, CaO. It has elevated sodium concentration (>30 g/kg), and soluble alkalinity (≈30 g/kg as equivalent CaCO3). Due to its alkalinity and high content of fine-grained particles (>90% have sizes Taking into account the high concentration of iron oxides in red mud waste, this project aims the utilization of red mud as iron source in order to replace partially the chemical reagents (generally synthesis grade Fe(III) salts) used in the obtaining of coagulation-flocculation-oxidation agents and advanced oxidation catalysts used in wastewaters treatment, laying the grounds for a sustainable green technology for the treatment of high organic loaded wastewaters.
The following original aspects that were not investigated up to now will be addressed:
a) the utilization of red mud suspensions for the generation of ferrate anions (FeO42-) which are the most powerful oxidation agents that may be used in water treatment (as it may be seen from the variation of the redox potentials: FeO42- (2,2eV) > O3 (2,03 eV) >H2O2 (1,78 eV) > MnO42- (1,68 eV) > Cl2 (1,36 eV) > O2 (solved) (1,23 eV) > ClO2 (0,95 eV)). The ferrate anions are considered to be a „green oxidant” since after the ferrate (VI) treatment there are no toxic by-products and following the redox cycle Fe(VI) is reduced to Fe(III) which is a very good coagulant/flocculant. Subsequently, in the stage following the oxidation it may serve as coagulant/flocculant able to remove the non-degradable impurities.
b) the obtaining of red-mud derived ceramic foams by gel-casting method - water treatment advanced oxidation catalysts
c) the obtaining of nanostructured amphiphilic magnetic materials - carbon nanofibers/red mud ceramic foams by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method – efficient adsorbents of hazardous organic contaminants in wastewaters.
d) integration of the above mentioned obtained materials in the technology for the treatment of wastewaters with high organic loading.
The project enables the partnership between public and private areas in the priority domain 3- Environment. The partnership includes 5 participants: an university, 3 national research-development institutes, a private company EDAX EXIM SRL provider of equipments and specific tasks in the domain of wastewaters and water treatments which co-finances the project. The participation of the co-financer has the role to create the mechanisms for implementing the technologies developed by this project.

New catalysts and photocatalysts for decontamination and detoxification of chemical warfare agents Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1468 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: STIMPEX S.A.

Project partners: STIMPEX S.A. (RO); Ministerul Apararii Nationale prin Centrul de Cercetare Stiintifica pentru Aparare CBRN si Ecologie (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://nbce.ro/detoxchem.html

Abstract:

The project proposes the development of innovative technologies for the decontamination and detoxification of chemical warfare agents and other highly toxic chemicals, together with the development of appropriate application equipment. Results of the project will have an immediate contribution in the management of crisis situations involving chemical agents or chemical warfare extremely toxic, with the introduction of our systems of decontamination and detoxification in equipping specialized intervention team of the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, Ministry of National Defence, and other structures of the National Defence System. The technology proposed in this project is far less polluting compared to existing technologies and will have a high yield, outside, ensuring rapid decontamination and detoxification of chemical warfare agents and their degradation products. The project proposes the development of new materials that can be used in decontamination and detoxification processes, and also the development of three prototypes of application equipment. The first prototype will use photocatalists powders based on natural materials, able to use natural light or artificial light and address to the decontamination and detoxification of chemical warfare agents, their precursors and other toxic substances with a similar structure. The second prototype will use a suspension of catalysts and photocatalists in organic solution and will address to the sensitive equipment inside buildings, aircraft, vehicles, etc. The third prototype will use a suspension of catalysts and photocatalysts in aqueous solution which can be used for decontamination and detoxification of contaminated land, buildings and the exterior of equipments. In order to achieve these objectives, the partnership formed by S.C. STIMPEX S.A., University of Bucharest and Scientific Research Center for CBRN Defence and Ecology, will take aim at the development of new catalysts and photocatalysts and new systems for high-performance applications. Research teams that make up the Consortium are complementary and have good experience in the development of joint research projects.

Extensive valorization of lignin and salicylic acid to bulk and fine chemicals Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0731 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANICA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE "C.D.NENITESCU" (RO); BIOMASS ENERGY FARMING SRL (RO); POLL CHIMIC S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.unibuc.ro/depts/chimie/chimie_organica_biochimie_si_cataliza/PROIECTE-DE-CERCETARE/Proiect-151-din-2012/

Abstract:

Lignin represents one of the major sources of carbon, hydrogen and functional groups provided by the nature. However, due to its polymeric structure, it is not enough valorized for the moment, although except the desert areas, it is abundant in the world. One of the reasons of the un-sufficient valorization is the high content of oxygen in very diverse functionalities. The present proposal constitutes a multi-facet project based on several novelties. The first one refers to the nature of the chemical compounds are intended to be produced using lignin as starting material. The second novelty refers to the nature of the catalysts. They will exhibit two functionalities: one acidic to disrupt oxygen bonds and to catalyze acylation and alkylation reactions, and second, to hydrogenate the disrupted fragments. The new catalysts will be prepared as micrometer materials containing active supported nano-structured species to allow an easy penetration inside the polymers. They will present a high density of defects, directly connected to the population of the active centres. The chemical composition of the catalyst represents another novelty, since it should be cheap and recoverable. The fourth novelty refers to the combination of valorization of lignin with salicylic acid. This is also abundant in bushes/leafs and till now does not found an efficient extraction and use in Romania. Another expected novelty is the establishment of analytic methodologies. The methods proposed till now in the literature are rather contradictory. Based on these statements the main objective of the project is Extensive valorization of lignin and salicylic acid to bulk and fine chemicals. Several sub-objectives are derived from this general objective: cultivation of different species of energetic willows, an efficient extraction of Lignin and Salicylic acid, new catalytic technologies to valorize the raw materials to surfactants and lignans, project implementation into pilot plant, dissemination.

Biomaterials synthesis for polyesters industry with applicability in the production of ballistic protection equipments Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1683 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); Ministerul Apararii Nationale prin Centrul de Cercetare Stiintifica pentru Aparare CBRN si Ecologie (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); STIMPEX S.A. (RO); CROMATEC PLUS SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.unibuc.ro/depts/chimie/chimie_organica_biochimie_si_cataliza/PROIECTE-DE-CERCETARE/proi-1662/

Abstract:

Over the past two decades, polymers from renewable resources (PFRR) have been attracting increasing attention, primarily for two major reasons: environmental concerns, and the realization that our petroleum resources are finite. A third reason for the growing interest in polymers from renewable resources relates to adding value to agricultural products, which is economically important for many countries. The overall objective of this project concern the design of new polymeric materials with three key functional requirements: non-toxic, biodegradable, and minimal impact on waste management.
The concept of GREENBALEQUIP addresses the essential questions and challenges of moving toward a sustainable society in which bio-based feedstock, processes, and products are fundamental pillars of the economy. The project approaches not only the importance of preparing bio-polymeric materials and the technical issues related to this, but also the economics, infrastructure and policy surrounding the implementation of these biomaterials to the defense equipments industry, and the open market for further implementation to other polymers industry.

INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING SYNTHETIC AVIATION FUEL FROM ALGAL BIOMASS Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0083 2012 - 2016

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); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://algalsaf.icechim.ro/

Abstract:

INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING
SYNTHETIC AVIATION FUEL FROM ALGAL BIOMASS (ALGAL-SAF)
SUMMARY
ALGAL-SAF project focuses on the potential use of algae, as raw material for producing alternative fuels for aviation that could replace the petrochemical jet fuel up to 50% by volume without any durability problems, by an integrated technologies system starting from algae.
The overall objectives of the project aim to complete valorisation of algal biomass, using an integrated system wherein bio-feedstock is subjected to oil extraction to produce algal oil and then dehydrating of de-oiled algal biomass comprising carbohydrates, in the presence of catalysts to yield furan derivatives. Further, we propose, simultaneously catalytic processing technologies of fatty acid methyl esters and furan derivatives mixture by upgrading them into alcohol derivatives, and finally catalytic reforming processes for producing a mixture comprising iso/n alkanes, suitable for, or as a blending component for, uses such as an aviation fuel, being competitive and compatible, to current used fuels.No attempts were found in the literature about such an integrated system developed for synthetic aviation fuel production, as we have proposed in this project. We have found some knowledge gaps in the current state-of-art, as follows: (a) Selecting the microalgae able to grow in mixotrophic conditions for high yield algal oil production; (b) Mixotrophic microalgae culture, by supplementing culture media with crude glycerin, as carbon source and protein hydrolysate, as nitrogen source (c) Valorization of de-oiled algal biomass via furan derivatives, as precursors for aviation fuels; (d) Simultaneously catalytic processing technologies of fatty acid methyl esters and furan derivatives mixture by upgrading them into alcohol derivatives; (e) Simultaneously dehydration, hydrocracking and isomerization processes of alcohol derivatives, for producing iso/n alkanes, suitable as synthetic aviation fuel.
The project will contribute to environmental compliance of Directive 2009/28/EC, on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, which aims at achieving by 2020 a 20% share of energy from renewable sources in the EU's final consumption of energy and a 10% share in each member state's transport energy consumption.

Heterogeneous organocatalysts for the green synthesis of chiral glycidate intermediates Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0041 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea din Bucuresti

Project partners: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.chimie.unibuc.ro/cercetare/cataliza/idei321/

Abstract:

The use of catalysis in asymmetric synthesis is an efficient way for the production of sophisticated molecules following the atom economy concept. In this context, organocatalysis start to be more and more important bringing advantages both in respect of its synthetic range but also for economic reasons. Thus, one might expect that in the near future an increasing number of organocatalytic reactions will make the jump from academic synthesis to industrial application. On the other hand, making organocatalysts insoluble and consequently easily recoverable and reusable is a stately way to answer the principles of “Green chemistry”. In this context, the main objective of the present project is the preparation of efficient heterogeneous organocatalysts (e.g., inorganic carriers grafted chiral ketones, CMOFs with chiral ketones as pillars, magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts) for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral glycinates through the epoxidation of cinnamates derivatives structures. The project is expected to lead to the development of new organocatalysts, to new strategies in organocatalysis, to new insight into reaction mechanism of organocatalyzed reactions, to new methods in synthetic organic chemistry, and arousal of the interest of chemical and pharmaceutical industry in organocatalysis. Moreover, by implying PhD students in the project team it is expected to promote organocatalysis in education of young chemists in modern organic chemistry.

New chemical systems based on nanocrystalline frameworks and porous architectures for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells(IT-SOFC)operating with biogas Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1423 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2011/NANOBIOSOFC/index.html

Abstract:

Energy production based on fossil fuels is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) offer a great potential for increasing efficiency of power generation with additional environmental benefits. SOFC technology is currently under development. The state-of-the-art SOFC is operating at about 1000°C with high manufacture cost and low lifetime. The objective of the NANOBIOSOFC project is to improve this situation. Therefore, new chemical systems based on crystalline frameworks and porous architecture (with tailored structure, texture and morphology) and new cost-effective synthesis procedures will be developed in the framework of this project. The catalytic and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials will be further investigated in order to select the appropriate preparation procedure and composition for each SOFC component (e.g. anode, electrolyte, and cathode), as well as the optimal operating conditions. Several thin film deposition procedures will be used for the manufacture of single SOFC. SOFC testing under various conditions will be carried out. Thus, the most appropriate manufacture procedure which allows the highest performance under long-time operation conditions will be identified. The expected impacts and outcomes of this project are:
- Integrate and develop new materials for improving SOFCs technology;
- Increase knowledge about the influence of composition, structure and processing conditions on the catalytic and electrochemical properties of nanomaterials;
- Gain understanding of component interactions and processes in single SOFC fueled with biogas.

Synthesis of some C4, C5 carboxilic acid building block chemicals from renewable biomass resources. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1367 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANICA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE "C.D.NENITESCU"

Project partners: CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANICA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE "C.D.NENITESCU" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA SAPIENTIA (RO); MONDOIMPEX S.R.L. (RO); ASOCIAŢIA ÎNTREPRINDERILOR MICI ŞI MIJLOCII COVASNA - ASIMCOV (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.ccocdn.ro/index.php?id=28

Abstract:

It is well known that the reserves of oil, natural gas and coal are limited. In contrast, biomass is a reliable resource for fuels and chemicals in the long term. Supplementing petroleum consumption with renewable biomass resources is of critical importance in sustaining the growth of the chemical industry. A key to the chemical industries gradual shift toward the use of renewable biomass resources is the implementation of the biorefinery concept. Similar to a petroleum refinery, a biorefinery integrates a variety of processing technologies to produce multiple bioproducts from various biomasses. In 2004 the US Department of Energy published the report "Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass Volume I—Results of Screening for Potential Candidates from Sugars and Synthesis Gas". Levulinic and succinic acids are the two target molecules, selected from the twelve building block chemicals identified by this report, for which we intend to develop in the frame of this project sustainable industrial synthetic routes based on sugar containig renewable resources. A set of interconected technologies will be devised including: 1) conversion of alternative biomasses (wood, potatoes, corn) to levulinic acid using combined ultrasound assisted heterogeneous catalytic process; 2) synthesis of succinic acid from levulinic acid or furfural, main by-product of levulinic acid production, by novel heterogeneous catalytic processes; 3) conversion of levulinic acid to methyltetrahydrofurane; 4) conversion of glucose and/or glycerol to succinic acid by a fermentative process using novel genetically engineered E. coli strains. In agreement with this tasks apropriate research groups, with complementing expertise in organic synthesis, catalysts design and preparation, process development, bioengineering and biotehnology have organised a consortium together with industrial parteners interested biomass valorisation.

NEW STRATEGIES FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF FINE CHEMICALS BY CATALYTIC SELECTIVE OXIDATION Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0057 2011 - 2014

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea din Bucuresti

Project partners: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.unibuc.ro/prof/florea_mi/proi-cerc-te-105-2011/

Abstract:

The problem of identifying new materials and with sustainability concepts, and lowering until stopping the pollution, was situated by the EU as a priority element on the criteria list which should be considered for financing the FP7 projects. That’s why identifying new technological solutions for the preparation of new materials for oxidation processes and fine chemistry, with high efficiencies and in environmentally friendly conditions, is of high importance and relevant in this competition context. The present project will follow two main research directions: 1) The development and optimization of the synthesis routes of vanadium based catalysts by using different synthetic methods. The incorporation of the third element (Fe or Ga) in the oxide structures will be done by using coprecipitation and impregnation. 2) The catalytic investigation in hydrocarbon oxidation and fine chemistry, more precisely of toluene, p-xylene and 2-methyl-1-naphthol or 2-methylnaphtalene. In order to establish the relation between the materials history and their catalytic performances, all materials will be fully characterised by using techniques such as: BET, XRD, TG-DSC, FTIR, TPR, UV-VIS, RAMAN and chimisorption measurements in situ condition, XPS, etc. The technological effect of such a study is immediate, since it allows establishing scientific criteria for elements selection for industrial catalysts preparation and the extensive approach of surface phenomena occurring on catalytic solids.

Catalytic biogas conversion under polarization Call name: Joint Research Projects Romania-France - IDROFR-2011 call
PN-II-ID-JRP-RO-FR-2011-2-0058 2011 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: University of Bucharest

Project partners: University of Bucharest (RO); Institut de recherches sur la catalyse et l'environnement de Lyon (FR)

Affiliation: University of Bucharest (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

The main objective of the project is to contribute to the deeper understanding of the various phenomena involved in the catalytic reforming reactions of fuels to produce hydrogen when the catalytic process is based on the use of oxygen-permeable membranes, i.e. in conditions where the reactions are necessarily influenced by the transport of O2- ions to the catalytic site. It focuses on the use and the valorization of biogas produced by anaerobic digestion of organic wastes (methanizers). To this respect and as an innovative approach, it is intended to take into account the presence of main impurities (S-containing compounds and NH3) in the study. Thus the poisoning effect of S-containing compounds on the reforming catalysts will be addressed under the influence of polarization with the hope of finding new strategies to overcome this major issue. The conversion of S-containing compounds and NH3 will be also a major concern of the project in view of assessing the harmfulness of emissions released in the atmosphere after the process. Finally the risk of formation of carbon deposits commonly reported in the case of reforming of hydrocarbons will be examined. On these bases, effort will be put into the preparation and the study of innovative catalytic materials with conductive properties showing improved catalytic behavior in dry/steam reforming of methane (resistance to carbon formation, resistance to poisoning, low harmful emissions). Noble metal (NM) based materials will be studied with the aim of decreasing the NM loading. The preparation of mixed oxides with improved activity as substitutes to NM catalysts will be also investigated. The influence of the polarization will be carefully studied experimentally and compared with data obtained from modeling. Findings will be applied to design a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell fed with biogas containing main impurities (H2S and NH3) and operating at intermediate temperatures (700-800°C). The end-product will integrate a Catalytic Anodic Membrane layer deposited on an optimized commercially available Ni cermet anode and aiming at converting methane into hydrogen and hydrogen into electrical power. The objective of reaching electrical power more than 0.5 W.cm-2 at 800°C and stable operation for more than 1000 h will be targeted with the elaboration of original Cu based current collectors prepared by screen printing.
The consortium has been carefully assembled to provide the necessary human and technical resources required for a highly challenging and multidisciplinary project. Special care was dedicated to verify that all stages of the R&D programme investigated in the project have the necessary critical mass respectively to achieve the specific objectives. The participant groups of the Consortium have complementary expertise, very well connected to the thematic of the project. It comprises two groups from well known institutes and universities with complementary expertise: Romanian Partner UB (Department of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Catalysis from Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest) and for the French Partner the group of “Clean and Renewable Energies” which is formed from three teams, IRCELyon (Institut de Catalyse et de l'Environnement de Lyon) as principal investigator, LEPMI (The Laboratoire d’Electrochimie et de Physicochimie des Matériaux et des Interfaces) and LPMG (Laboratoire des Procédés en Milieux Granulaires) as colaborators.
The POLCA proposal will allow bringing together partners backgrounds and creating a synergy between self experiences to be applied to new fields of modern catalysis. This is the case of hydrogen production via methane and biogas reforming and its application in SOFCs. The project will certainly bring an effective added value to the sustainable development for both sides. This experience might be a key for further common actions between all partners.

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