BrainMap

Mr. Adrian Bele

Dr.

- INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (21/03/2023)

Expertise & keywords

Intelligent tools for design, processing and optimization of new PS-POSS-IL (polysulfone-silsesquioxanes impregnated with ionic liquids) type membranes applied in CO2 gas separation Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3900 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.icmpp.ro/aisynpposs

Abstract:

Artificial intelligence tools (neural networks and genetic algorithms) will be used in order to find the most appropriate reaction conditions for obtaining and characterization of new polysulfone-silsesquioxanes membranes impregnated with ionic liquids (PS-POSS-IL) (with predetermined characteristics) as new materials suitable for CO2 capture and storage. Starting from a set number of experiments, in which new types of PS-POSS-IL will be prepared and characterized by changing the reaction conditions (including use of different polysulfones, different silsesquioxanes and a different content or different type of ionic liquid), a data base will be elaborated in order to use it further for modeling with artificial intelligence instruments (neural networks and genetic algorithms). In this way the best reaction conditions can be chosen for obtaining the best PS-POSS-IL membranes as superior materials for adsorbtion/ separation of the CO2. In the first stage of the project, the polysulfones will be obtained and characterized, then the needed silsesquioxanes. Thereupon the membranes will be elaborated from the previous obtained materials, using the phase inversion process. After the membranes will be prepared, they will be characterized for determining the most conducive conditions for manufacturing membranes with the highest CO2 adsorption performance, for their use in separation of CO2, using the artificial intelligence tools (especially neural networks).

Silicone-based modular artificial sensing skin for MMOD impact damage detection and evaluation system in spacecraft Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0156 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: https://icmpp.ro/silartskin/index.php

Abstract:

Spacecrafts (such as CubeSat) in low Earth orbit (LEO) are exposed to several hazardous environments including the impact made by micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD). There are 500,000 pieces of debris that are currently tracked and there are more than one million small debris pieces that can’t be tracked due to their small size. Collision results made by a piece of space debris can cause mechanical damage, material degradation, and, occasionally, the catastrophic breakup of operational spacecraft. Expeditions like Apollo 13 or STS-107 failed due to the lack of identification of external damages in the spacecraft. The project aims to develop a large-scalable method and a modular sensing technology based on silicone elastomers suppressing the disadvantages of other technologies intensely studied at the day. Basically, the proposed project aims to determine in real-time when an MMOD impact has occurred on a spacecraft shield or structure, area of the impact, depth, and importantly, where it occurred. Moreover, the proposed sensing technology will be operating on a wide temperature range (-70 to more than 150 oC), being lightweight and able to give real-time feedback to the operator, can detect simultaneous multiple damage impacts of different projectile sizes, as well as recovering the original shape after taking damage will be possible (self-healing properties).

Smart composite system with self-controlled configuration developed from shape memory/ amorphous magnetic materials in elastomeric matrices Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-4138 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA TEHNICA-IFT IASI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA TEHNICA-IFT IASI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); R&D CONSULTANTA SI SERVICII S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.phys-iasi.ro/en/projects/en/smamem

Abstract:

The present project aims to develop a novel smart composite system, constituted of shape memory alloy (SMA)/ amorphous magnetic materials embedded into elastomeric matrices (SMA-AM/ E) with self-controlled configuration and extended functionality, dedicated to the operation, detection and monitoring of fluid volume, temperature and transition parameters, such as recipients with controlled volume, hydraulic pumps, multifunctional pipes for complex fluid transportation or even stents. Thermoelastic SMAs, such as Ni-Ti-Cu(Nb, Ta) that are nonmagnetic and martensitic at room temperature (RT), will be designed and produced by the Company „R & D Consultanță și Servicii” (P3), under the form of cylindrical ingots. The “ Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi (P1) will homogenize the ingots that will be cut, hot rolled, heat treated and thermomechanically trained into active elements, which will be attached firstly into 2D flexible modules comprising 3 to 6 elements and finally into 3D systems. The National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics Iasi (CO) will produce, process and characterize the amorphous magnetic microwires, melt spun from Co-based ultra-soft magnetic alloys. CO will study the integration of amorphous microwires into the host composite consisting of a SMA skeleton incorporated into flexible elastomers. “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (P2) will synthesize and characterize the elastomeric matrix based on polysiloxanes, which needs to be flexible and temperature-resistant. CO, assisted by P1 and P2 will test the functionality of several variants of experimental smart systems with different number of 2D modules and different initial configurations of the modules comprising 3-6 active elements

Dynamic Dual Mode Materials for Human Thermal Comfort Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1885 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); ALL CIO INVEST SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: https://icmpp.ro/projects/l6/about.php?id=32

Abstract:

A large percentage of commercial energy use is directed for heating and cooling in a variety of technologies where an effective management of heat transfer can lead to significant reductions of the amount of energy used and therefore the energy costs involved. Among these technologies, one of the most significant in terms of energy consumption is building operation, which by itself accounts for ~ 40 % of global energy consumption, and their heating and cooling alone requiring ~ 36 % of this amount. This represents an exciting opportunity to dramatically diminish energy use worldwide with the development of novel personal thermoregulatory clothing. The development of an “ideal” personal thermoregulatory clothing which harmoniously brings together the advantages of passive strategies (i.e. low cost, straightforward implementation, and energy efficiency) with the on-demand control capabilities of active strategies has remained elusive to date. This project proposes an integrated nanocomposite material garment with tunable thermal infrared properties to solve this scientific challenge, using inspiration from the static infrared-reflecting design of the space blanket and from the dynamic color-changing ability of squid skin. This material will be able to regulate a heat flux of > 40 W/m2 with a transient mechanical power input for actuation of 3 %.

Soft electromechanical transducers based on 3D printed silicones Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3652 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DE CONSTRUCTII BUCURESTI (RO); UNDA TECH SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: https://icmpp.ro/projects/l6/results.php?id=5; https://icmpp.ro/ro/proiecte/l6/rezultate.php?id=5

Abstract:

It is proposed to develop an innovative and original 3D printing technology for electromechanical transducers (sensors and actuators) based on silicone dielectric elastomers (DETs) that will eliminate the disadvantages of their traditional processes, generally laborious, time-consuming and limiting regarding geometry complexity, dimensional accuracy, reproducibility. Also, taking into account the current challenges focused on material issues in additive manufacturing, where the use of silicones is just beginning, the proposed technology first involves the formulation and optimization of the dielectric and conductor layers for 3D printing of DETs, the construction of the printer and the development of adaptable software for production of the units with different shapes and complexity degrees.

The proposed solvent-free material is based on customized polysiloxanes in terms of molecular mass and structure, and consists of a mixture of two polysiloxanes side-functionalized, one with vinyl groups and the other with thiol groups. In case of electrode material, carbon black is added. Both mixtures contain organic photoinitiator capable of triggering upon UV irradiation the crosslinking of polysiloxanes by a "click" reaction (thiol-ene addition) with silicone elastomer formation. Taking place at room temperature, in the absence of metal-based catalysts and solvents, the process is a "green" one and the material is known to be biocompatible and environmentally friendly during use and reintegration into the natural cycle. The sensors and actuators will be printed using a dual-head cartesian system with one nozzle for injecting the conductive polymer and another for the dielectric one. Immediate applications are aimed at civil engineering as sensors for monitoring the strain in the structural elements, as dampers for attenuating the seismic movement in buildings, bridges and foundations but also in the field of material testing (determining the Poisson ratio in soil samples).

Green silicone-based interpenetrated polymeric “spider webs” engineered for wave energy harvesting Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0148 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: https://silweb.icmpp.ro/index.php

Abstract:

Renewable technologies began to develop rapidly after the 1973 oil crisis, converting various types of energy, such as wind and ocean into electricity. The most studied technologies regarding Ocean Energy Harvesting are wave energy converters (WEC). The WEC technology gained great attention and the research community developed different devices, like Oscillating Water Columns (OWC). To be able to convert Ocean Energy to useful electrical energy all WEC possess a power take-off (PTO) system. In the case of OWC is the air turbine, and difficulties encountered are the complexity of the mechanical parts, susceptibility to corrosion, high costs, deploying and maintaining. Ocean Energy Harvesting using Dielectric Elastomers (DE) as PTO systems is a relatively new technology with great potential aiming to reduce the main drawbacks of classic technologies. Silicone-based elastomers are the most studied class, due to their properties: high flexibility, low toxicity, resistance to weathering, good dielectric strength and operating on various temperatures (-120 to 200 ⁰C). The polar nature of the siloxane bond is a premise for good dielectric properties, but the methyl groups hinder the Si-O dipoles to approach one each other, thus they possess a low dielectric permittivity, which is still the main disadvantage along with tear strength. The main aim is to increase the conversion efficiency of silicone-based PTO by increasing the tear strength and the dielectric permittivity of silicone elastomers in an original approach which consists in obtaining new full polar/non-polar interpenetrated polymer networks (IPNs) mimicking at a molecular level the spider webs due to the versatile chemistry of silicones. The remarkable mechanical resistance of the spider web lies not only in the chemistry of the intertwined strands but also in its unique geometry, architecture adapted by the proposed polymeric networks.

Eco-innovative technologies for recovering of the platinum group metals from scrap catalytic convertors Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0185 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE "CORIOLAN DRĂGULESCU" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE (RO); INOE 2000 - FILIALA INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PENTRU HIDRAULICA SI PNEUMATICA BUCURESTI RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.3nanosae.org/ecotech-gmp/

Abstract:

Autocatalysts are used to convert vehicle exhaust (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, etc.) into less harmful products, such as: carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Platinum group metals (PGMs) are the active component in autocatalysts and consequently the auto industry is the largest PGM consumer. Limited PGM resources demands recycling to support an expanding auto market. Traditional recycling methods are using high temperatures and highly oxidative agents (e.g. aqua regia) making them large energy consumers and environmental pollutants. As a result, there is a need to develop alternative ways to recycle PGMs with a significant decrease in energy consumption and a reduced impact on the environment. ECOTECH-GMP project at hand draws from the knowledge, skills and competences of top leading Romanian research institutions in materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering for creating the know-how to develop the eco-technologies required to recycle PGM with zero emissions. There is currently no such technology available in the world. Four sub-projects are proposed to solve the issue of PGM eco-recycling, encompassing electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, hydrodynamics and bioelectrochemistry. The sub-projects are intertwined and function in synergy to deliver several solutions to the issue at hand. The potential of this project is mesmerizing for any interested company: small initial capital, low energy consumption and high throughput. The benefits for the society at large are thrilling: improved public health because of decreased toxic pollutants (chlorides, nitrates, nitrides, etc.) and creating new jobs owing to the potential of this technology to transform into an industry.

Hydrogen energy revolution driver – fuel cells, on the way from research towards production by mitigation of main technological barriers Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0194 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII CRIOGENICE SI IZOTOPICE - I.C.S.I. RAMNICU VALCEA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII CRIOGENICE SI IZOTOPICE - I.C.S.I. RAMNICU VALCEA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE PROGNOZA ECONOMICA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.icsi.ro/rofcc/; www.icsi.ro/rofcc-english-version/

Abstract:

Fuel cell is unanimously considered the core of the hydrogen –based energy revolution. It promises to impact environmental and economic issues facing the world every day. Modern lifestyles, high prices for diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, and the environmental impact of energy production have all made alternative power generation technology like fuel cells a necessity. The proposed project is looking to find bridges between several scientific disciplines in order to reduce the main technological barriers which hinder the commercialization of PEM fuel cell at large scale.

Electrochemical energy conversion involves complex developments of materials: due to the close link between electricity flow and corrosion processes, morphological changes, building of resistive layers and exhaustion of catalytically active components, material development for enhanced lifetimes becomes the major challenge in fuel cell basic research and development. At the same time, the topics of low-cost materials and processing have to be additionally tackled in order to achieve acceptable market costs. Advances in the development of new catalysts, new bipolar plates, enhanced solid electrolyte are only few of the foreseen development within the project, based on joining the existing capabilities proved in other topics by the partners. The proposal covers entire range of research from applicative industrial research focused onto optimization materials/processes until experimental development for testing and validation of the production technology including a comprehensive cost analysis on life time.

By connecting the capabilities of several research partners in complementary topics, from physics, chemistry (especially electrochemistry but not only), mechanics, processes automation, etc. the project will bring the fuel cell development technology close to the market and ready to fulfill the requirements of the new hydrogen based chain energy system.

Metal-organic frameworks with hydrophobicity fine-tunned by using silicones chemistry Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0642 2017 - 2019

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.silmofs.icmpp.ro

Abstract:

The project is devoted to design, synthesis and structural characterization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with controlled hydrophobicity required for certain applications such as gas storage, drug delivery systems, self-compatibilizing fillers for special energy composites, supercapacitors, etc. Different from the approaches reported in literature consisting in attaching hydrophobic groups near coordination sites, or post-synthetic grafting of such groups onto linkers, here will be used mainly ligands with siloxane spacers having attached to the silicon atoms one of the highest hydrophobic group, methyl, but also some derivatives inserting more longer (octyl), more rigid (phenyl, diphenyl), more polar (chloropropyl) or more hydrophobe (trifluoropropyl) groups in order to fine tune moisture stability of the resulted MOFs but also their lipophilicity and crystallinity. The high flexibility of the siloxane backbone allows the organic groups to be arranged and presented to their best effect. In addition, metals in high oxidation state will be used. The key steps in achieving the project objectives consist in engineering the spacer by using new approaches in silicones chemistry (i.e., Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction), attaching coordination groups (by thiol-ene addition or nucleophilic substitution), construction of MOF's and their isolation in a form accessible to characterize accurately. Thus original polydentate ligands mainly consisting in polycarboxylic acids and N-donor heterocycles with controlled diorganosiloxane or silane spacers will be obtained and used to built MOFs. The rare examples of assembling using the flexible linker, apart from those published by the authors of this proposal, and limited investigation in the field opens the innovative perspective for new knowledge and unique properties of MOFs.

Silicone-based energy conversion units built up by green chemistry Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0188 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://greenergy.icmpp.ro

Abstract:

The project responds by excellent science (future and emergent technologies) to one of the grand challenges facing EU society, i.e., secure, clean and efficient energy. Dielectric elastomers (DE) have emerged as promising smart energy-transduction materials ofering many advantages over other technologies, having good performance as generator (high strain, energy density, efficiency) and better material properties (low cost, high compliance, durability and environmental tolerance). Four major classes of dielectric elastomers have been established so far in this area: natural rubber, acrylics, polyurethanes and silicones, the latter occupying a special place by their unique properties and versatile chemistry. In this project, starting from the experimental proof-of-concept (TRL3) on the feasibility of energy harvesting devices built from silicone elastomers, the technology will be developed to TRL4. Thus, the project will deliver a laboratory-scale technology able to produce DEs energy harvesting elements adjustable on request, built up from alternating, highly stretchable and compliant dielectric/electrode layers, based on different silicone formulations. An original approach to ensure the best compliance between the dielectric and the electrode will consist in their co-crosslinking. The material characteristics will be optimized by synthesis and mixing with specially designed fillers, while the element geometry and number of layers will be adjusted according to end-user requirements. In doing so, special attention will be given to the choice of materials, working methods and their optimization, keeping in mind the principles of green chemistry. Thus, the synthesis of polymers and fillers, the film forming processes and co-crosslinking methods will be approached as to proceed as clean and cheap as possible, minimizing the use of solvents, avoiding by-products by using addition reactions with emphasis on click chemistry, and using unconventional energy sources.

New mechanisms and concepts for exploiting electroactive Polymers for Wave Energy Conversion Call name:
309139 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.polywec.org/

Abstract:

Wave energy has a great potential as renewable source of electricity. Studies have demonstrated that significant percentage of world electricity could be produced by Wave Energy Converters (WECs). However electricity generation from waves still lacks of spreading because the combination of harsh environment and form of energy makes the technical development of cost effective WECs particularly difficult.

PolyWEC introduces a new class of Polymeric WECs (PolyWECs), characterised by the employment of Dielectric Elastomer (DE) transducers.

The goal is to introduce a radical change in the traditional architecture of WECs that usually includes three basic components: mechanical wave absorbers, a mechanical transmission and a power take-off system. Due to their nature, PolyWECs can be conceived in a way that such three components are integrated into a single deformable lightweight and low-cost polymeric element. DEs have been largely investigated in the form of actuators for robotics and ICT applications. Preliminary studies on energy generation through DEs demonstrated their great potential in terms of cost effectiveness, efficiency and reduced complexity. Due to their intrinsic low mass, flexibility and resilience, as well as their capacitive nature and high voltage operation, DE technology perfectly matches the requirements of WECs.

Energy harvesting by dielectric elastomer actuators Call name:
PN-II-ID-RSRP-2012 2013 - 2015

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: EMPA Dübendorf

Project partners: EMPA Dübendorf (); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" ()

Project website: http://www.icmpp.ro/rsrp_energy_harvesting/energy_harvesting_en.ppt

Abstract:

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader	Download (131 kb) 04/09/2024
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects