BrainMap

Mrs. Sorina Iftimie

Dr.

Associate Professor - UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Web of Science ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/C-7316-2013

Curriculum Vitae (19/06/2023)

Expertise & keywords

New protein hybrid nanostructures for specific targeting in colon tumor cells Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-1323 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

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

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://fpce7.fizica.unibuc.ro/biomol/1323.htm

Abstract:

The project proposes an interdisciplinary collaboration between research teams from the University of Bucharest, the Faculty of Physics (UB, CO), the Transilvania University of Brașov, the Faculty of Medicine and the Research-Development Institute (UT, P1), and the National Institute of Materials Physics Magurele, Romania (NIMP, P2).

One way to facilitate the entry into cells of protein hybrid nanostructures, which encapsulate or are coated with drugs or other structures of medical interest, is the use of folic acid (FA) as a molecule that specifically targets tumor cells receptors.

The main goal of this project is to synthesize and characterize a new type of hybrid nanoparticles (NPs), consisting of serum proteins (albumin, transferrin), functionalized with FA and loaded with the flavonoid rutin (Ru). These hybrid NPs are stable, reproducible, highly effective, and specifically, target HT-29 colon cancer cells.

The objectives of the project will be achieved by: 1) the use of synthesis methods involving nanoprecipitation, desolvation, and stabilization of new nanoparticles of serum proteins loaded with Ru, functionalized with FA, 2) characterization of the morphology and properties of new NPs by structural (SEM, AFM, DLS), spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FT-IR, SPR) and electrochemical (EIS) methods and 3) application of synthesized nanohybrid on HT-29 cells.

The new hybrid nanostructures have not been the subject of other studies published in the literature, and the effect of these nanohybrids on the viability and proliferative capacity of HT-29 cells is not reported in the literature. In the future, the results of this project may be clinically useful in the design and use of nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer.

Impact of nanocomposite modified anodes on microbial fuel cells performance through changes in biofilm microbial community composition Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0956 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/anca-dumitru/home/research/biomoda-mfc

Abstract:

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are sustainable technology that potentially combines wastewater treatment and bioenergy production in a single step by exploiting the microbial metabolism developed on the electrode. Exploring of feasible MFCs technology could be the answer to the worldwide concern for development of alternative water cleanup technology. Despite all efforts, practical applications of MFCs still face a number of challenges and require extensive investigation. Among them anode materials and biofilm microbial community developed on the anode are identified to play a pivotal role in MFCs performance. The present proposal aims to bring new insights on the improvement of MFCs performance thorough anode modification with conducting polymers/nano- metal oxide nanocomposites correlated with characterization of biofilm microbial communities composition on modified electrodes. The outcome of the proposal will be quantified by: development of new modified MFC anode based on conducting polymers/nano-oxide metal nanocomposite; new insights in the understanding of biofilm microbial community selection on nanocomposite modified anode and MFC performance, increasing researchers potential by accumulating knowledge, expertise and results in the interdisciplinary field; reinforcement of the interdisciplinary team in a research area that becomes a necessity for higher chances in European projects competition and results dissemination in the scientific community.

Elastomeric tuneable metasurfaces for efficient spectroscopic sensors for plastic detection Call name: EEA Grants - Proiecte Colaborative de Cercetare
EEA-RO-NO-2018-0438 2019 - 2023

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); SINTEF AS (NO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://elastometa.ro

Abstract:

If current production and waste management trends continue, it is projected that roughly 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050. Plastics represent a significant environmental problem: They are for the most part not biodegradable, cause problems for terrestrial and aquatic life, and enter the food chain in the form of microplastics. A shift towards a circular economy has been proposed to meet these challenges, in which production, circulation and consumption do not leave behind negative footprints and do not deplete natural resources. An essential component in the transition to a circular economy involves turning waste into value, thereby giving incentives to reduce, reuse and recycle. Simplified and low-cost methods of sorting materials are currently making a great impact on the environment: It is estimated that the reverse vending machines of the company TOMRA alone capture 35 billion beverage containers every year, and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an equivalent of 2 million cars driving 10'000km annually.

Photonic sensors are ideally suited for material sorting due to the spectroscopy technique, which allows for discrimination between different polymer types by illuminating with near infrared electromagnetic fields and measuring absorption. An important development goal is to make such spectroscopy simple, affordable and energy efficient. The ElastoMETA project aims to design and fabricate functional nanostructured surfaces, known as metasurfaces, to meet these goals. These surfaces contain simple subwavelength nano-structures that can shape light which is transmitted through them. Despite their simplicity, they offer a new paradigm for advanced field manipulation due to unprecedented control of phase, polarization, amplitude and dispersion of the electromagnetic fields. The versatility of this approach is evident by the short time during which numerous realizations have been made: e.g. micro-lenses, filters, couplers, emitters and even holograms. With further development, metasurfaces are expected to have several advantages over existing optical sensor technologies for recycling applications (e.g. diffractive optics), in terms of (i) increased efficiency, (ii) relative ease of fabrication, and (iii) enhanced functionality.

The ElastoMETA project aims to develop designs and cost-effective nanostructuring processes for (a) tuneable, filtering and efficient lens designs, and (b) directional infrared emitters, for plastic detection. These developments are central to improving the efficiency and functionality of a spectroscopic microsensor for a circular economy. To this end ElastoMETA combines Romanian expertise in UV-nanoimprint and electron beam lithography from the National R&D Institute of Materials Physics (INCDFM) and the National R&D Institute in Microtechnology (IMT), and in theoretical photonics at University of Bucharest (UB) with Norwegian expertise at SINTEF Microsystems and Nanotechnology (SINTEF MiNaLab) in developing micro-optical sensor devices for industrial plastic and gas detection. This new long-term strategic partnership aims to bring developments at the forefront of photonics and nanotechnology towards commercial sensor applications for a competitive Romanian and Norwegian industry within the circular economy.

ElastoMETA demands close collaboration of the Romanian and Norwegian partners on interdisciplinary and interrelated work, related to i) design and simulation of functional structures acting as tunable, filtering lenses and directional sources, 2) process development using electron beam lithography for design verification, 3) UV nanoimprint lithography for cost effective nanostructuring of large area lenses, 4) embedding structures in elastomeric substrates to allow for mechanical tuneability 5) optical characterization and testing of the manufactured structures and 6) dissemination and evaluation of the project.

Feed-batch and continuous mode operation of microbial fuel cell (MFC) as an environmental friendly method for wastewater treatment with self-sustained electricity generation Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2260 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/anca-dumitru/home/research/bioecomfc

Abstract:

Sustainability in wastewater management requires energy and performance efficiencies. Energy recovery from waste is a major challenge at a time in which the Earth's resources are increasingly strained by human exploitation. The high concentration of dissolved or suspended organic matter present in most of the effluents offers a potential energy source. Development of a technology that uses this embedded energy as a resource, minimizes microbial growth and produces renewable energy, has an obvious potential to be a game changing technology for the sector.

In this aim, the recovery energy from wastewaters using microbial fuel cells (MFCs), where microorganisms oxidize wastewater constituents and convert their chemical energy into electricity with simultaneous wastewater purification, is a promising technology for replacing or integrating into existing energy-intensive wastewater treatment processes.

The present proposal combine the results generated in our current research on microbial fuel cells and interdisciplinary expertise of the research team and is focused on the validation of one of the advanced carbon nanostructures as modifier for MFC anode and to validation of the functional model of MFC operating in fed-batch condition. Furthermore, based on our knowledge regarding the MFC design, the present proposal aims to develop also a functional model of MFCs operating in continuous mode condition and its performance in laboratory environment.

The development of planar/3D electrode configuration based on the anode modification with nitrogen-containing carbon nanostructures, understanding of how microbial populations and biofilm evolve, the improvement of reactor configuration designed to operate under long-time experiments and different operation conditions, batch or continuous flow open new ways for practical applications of MFC for bioenergy production and wastewater treatment.

Nanowire-Templated Back-Electrodes for High Efficiency Solar Cells Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-0868 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://mdeo.eu/MDEO/Proiecte/TE115/ ; http://ava.myasustor.com/nanodell

Abstract:

This project deals with some of the yet remaining challenges related with the “Second Generation” of solar cells based on semiconducting AII-BVI heterojunctions, namely the improving of charge collection efficiency by smartly re-configuring the cell architecture. In this context, we proposed a novel “substrate”-type cell design relying exclusively on non-toxic chalcogenide Zn-based compounds, and owning nanostructured electrodes for improving the collection efficiency of the photo-generated charge carriers.

On one hand we will develop a reliable platform for the growth of localized arrays of vertically-aligned nanowires featuring geometrical parameters (i.e. density and aspect-ratio) adjustable in a large extent. Such nanowire-templated substrates will be used as highly-performant nanostructured back-electrodes for holes collection within the cell structure. On the other hand, we will improve the electrons collection too, by creating a novel and optimized ZnO-based “window layer/top transparent electrode” interface.

All the technological novelties approached in this project will certainly open an outstanding pathway towards large-scale integrability and manufacturing, not only of more efficient photovoltaic elements, but of the next generation of modern nanostructured devices, possessing small physical dimensions but extremely high functional surfaces.

Nanoimprint lithography for photovoltaic devices Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-0846 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://mdeo.eu/MDEO/Proiecte/TE25/

Abstract:

This proposal introduces the use of nanoimprint lithography (NIL) for the development of photovoltaic devices based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) as absorber. Our innovative design assumes that CdTe nanopillars (CdTe nnp) with dimensions of 500 nm × 500 nm and 700 nm × 700 nm will be prepared by NIL and electrochemical deposition, leading to an entirely nanostructured absorber. The heterojunction will be completed either by cadmium sulfide (CdS), zinc sulfide (ZnS), and zinc selenide (ZnSe), as window layers, deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. As back electrode, copper (Cu) and gold (Au) co-evaporated thin films will be used, while the transparent electrode will be obtained by radio frequency magnetron sputtering from indium tin oxide (ITO).

The specific objectives of this proposal are:

Ob1. The fabrication and complete characterization of constitutive and Cu:Au/CdTe nanopillars/CdS/ITO photovoltaic device

Ob2. The fabrication and complete characterization of constitutive and Cu:Au/CdTe nanopillars/ZnS/ITO photovoltaic device

Ob3. The fabrication and complete characterization of constitutive and Cu:Au/CdTe nanopillars/ZnSe/ITO photovoltaic device

The chosen of these materials was motivated by the very good results obtained for AIIBVI heterojunction, in planar configuration, and the good compatibility between CdTe as absorber and CdS, ZnS, and ZnSe as window layer, on one hand, and on the other by the extensive expertise of project leader in the research area of photovoltaic devices based on inorganic materials. Moreover, due to nanostructuring, the active area surface will be considerably increased and the photo-electric processes at the p-n interface will be improved, as so the overall performance of the device.

We admit that at the end of this project an innovative working routine of development of photovoltaic structures will be delivered together with complete reports describing the physical properties of customized devices and their components.

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.

Innovative technologies based on polymers for the obtaining of new advanced materials Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0428 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Partner team leader

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 NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE CHIMICO - FARMACEUTICA - I.C.C.F. BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU ELECTROCHIMIE SI MATERIE CONDENSATA - INCEMC TIMISOARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=41&lang=ro

Abstract:

The project is aimed at using the expertise that involved in consortium entities acquired in materials science. The consortium consists of three representative national institutes: INCD for Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM Bucharest, INCD for Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter - INCEMC Timisoara and INCD of Chemical Pharmaceutical - ICCF Bucharest, and of two prestigious universities: University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest and the University of Bucharest and a remarkable institute of Romanian Academy: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry – Petru Poni Iasi. Although having great tradition and noteworthy results, the first five institutions face a series of problems, from the lack of financial funds, equipment and the aging employees for ICCF and partly for INCEMC and ICECHIM, to the lack of highly qualified staff required for recent investments in equipment for all 5 institutions. In this respect, the project attempts relaunching the activity in the first 5 institutions of the consortium, by putting together the existing competencies, so as to develop new technologies in order to obtain new materials with high performance properties. Given that, 3 of the research teams are specialized in polymers (ICECHIM, Petru Poni and UPB) the developed technologies will use the polymers as intermediates or as a component in the finished product. To this end it is envisaged getting the titanium nitride for prosthetic coatings via inorganic-organic polymer nanocomposites, obtaining photocatalytic materials and antibacterial coatings by sol- gel reactions, obtaining of short-life or one-time use biomaterials from aliphatic polyesters and micro or nanocellulose and the development of new polyphase materials with medium or long life, based on biopolymers, through 3D printing. The project intends the full use of A1, A2, B and C checks in order to increase the institutional performance of partners.

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.

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.

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: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

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.

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