BrainMap

Mrs. Ana Camelia Grosan

Dr.

Senior Researcher II - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: I-1915-2015

Curriculum Vitae (24/08/2021)

Expertise & keywords

Transfer Phenomena in Special Porous Media Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0993 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://math.ubbcluj.ro/spepom/

Abstract:

A solid body may have a double porosity structure (bidisperse porous medium -BDPM). In these cases, the solid structure of the medium is composed of clusters of large particles that are agglomerations of small particles. Thus, a BDPM is a standard porous medium in which the solid phase is replaced by another porous medium. Several applications of BDMP are related to the heat transfer engineering, especially to thermal insulation and heat pipes related technologies. Other applications of the bidisperse porous media are related to catalytic chemistry and methane recovery from coal deposits. A special category of porous medium is that formed by encapsulated phase change materials (EPCM). This kind of porous media is formed by particles encapsulating a phase change material (e.g. paraffin). During the variation of the temperature this material will suffer a phase change (e.g. liquid – solid or solid – liquid) and a latent heat will be absorbed or released. On other hand, in real problems the physical properties of the fluids and porous media are variable depending on time, temperature, concentration, etc. A very complicated problem arises when (hybrid)nanoparticles, formed by multiple components, are added into fluids and the viscosity and thermal conductivity of the fluid are modified. In order to realistically model physical phenomena we have to take into account these dependencies. We will study the transport phenomena for the above mentioned problems.

Wine fingerprint recognition based on spectroscopic methods and Artificial Intelligence Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-1095 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/winerec-ai/index.html

Abstract:

One of the most important questions in enology and prevention of wines adulteration are related to the correct assessment of geographical origin, cultivar and vintage. Apart from the continuous improvement of analytical methods, an important aspect is related to the development of reliable data processing tools. Metabolomics represents the comprehensive and nonselective analytical chemistry approach aimed to prove a global description of all the metabolites present in a biological sample at any given time. The main methods of metabolomic analysis rely on spectroscopic detection. Two basic approaches are used in metabolomics: target and nontargeted (profiling and fingerprinting) analysis. Presently, the main analytical techniques that are used for food metabolomics studies are nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as well as mass spectrometry (MS)- based techniques. Beside these, Raman spectroscopy also proved a high potential for the development of new recognition models for food and beverage differentiation and starts to benefit by an increase interest from research and control laboratories in this regard. Nowadays, an emerging step in the development of food and beverages authentication tools is given by the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the construction of recognition models with respect to predefined criteria (i.e. geographical origin, cultivar, vintage). The project aims the development of an innovative web application for wine authenticity control which will rely on new recognition models for wine discrimination according to geographical origin, cultivar and vintage. The models will be built using artificial intelligence (AI) for the advanced data processing of the 1H-NMR and Raman spectra. Different Machine Learning algorithms (ML) will be used for the models’ development. The approach based on which the best recognition models will be built will be further used for the web application development.

Metabolomic approaches – challenges and a step forward in honey recognition. Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0644 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/honeyomics/

Abstract:

At EU level, the demanded honey quantities are not satisfied by internal production. As a result, significant quantities are imported from other countries outside EU (i.e. China, Argentina) which need a rigorous control, honey being the third most adulterated product in the world. Its price tendency will be directly reflected in the rarity of a certain honey type, either in terms of geographical or botanical origin. In this case, the temptation of passing some counterfeit, cheap honeys under the label of some exclusive ones, in order to gain an illegal profit exists among some sellers or unfair producers. In this context, this project aims the development of new chemometric models able to differentiate among honeys with distinct geographical and botanical origin and also to detect honey adulteration through the addition of cheaper honey types to much rare honey varieties. Metabolomic approches based on vibrational (IR, Raman) and fluorescence spectroscopies will be developed, their classification potential being compared and validated based on acknowledged methods like isotope and elemental profiling. The large generated experimental data sets will be processed using supervised chemometric techniques (LDA and SIMCA) as well as artificiall intelligence (Machine Learning). The development of predictive models able to differentiate among distinct honey varieties and to identify adulterated samples using Machine Learning will represent a novelty at international level.

Rapid detection of Thiabendazole pesticide in frozen fruits and vegetables commercialized on Romanian stores Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3004 2020 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/rapiddettbz/

Abstract:

The extensive use of Thiabendazole (TBZ) pesticide as a preservative to ensure freshness has resulted in its frequent detection in water resources and in soil from fruit and vegetable production areas. The EU REGULATION regarding the maximum residue levels for thiabendazole in or on certain products, define the pesticide residues and maximum residue levels in mg/kg in fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

So, pesticides, just like TBZ directly pollute the environment and contaminate foods ultimately being absorbed by the human body. Their residues contain highly toxic substances that have been found to cause serious problems to human health even at very low concentrations. In this project we propose to put into the practice and validate in laboratory a fast, sensitive, prompt and cheap analytical methodology for TBZ assessment in frozen fruits and vegetables, based on the Raman scattering technique, in conjunction with the plasmonic properties of noble metal nanoparticles exploited with the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Therefore, our approach here is to test and validate in laboratory the TBZ detection method for the various frozen fruits and vegetables, comercialized in Roamanian stores, and prospecting the TBZ identification and quantification in frozen products. Plasmonic -based micro-SERS approach will be extended to in situ analysis with highly sensitive portable instruments, opening an avenue for reliable in situ food monitoring programs in Romania.

Portable integrated system for rapid and selective Sunset Yellow Detection Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2410 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); SITEX 45 SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/porta-syd

Abstract:

Synthetic colorants – commonly referred to as ‘food additives’- have been usually allowed and intensively used in food industry to replace natural color in thousand of products, thus artificial food dye consumption has increased by 500% in the last 50 years, and children are the biggest consumers. The controversies concerning azo-dyes use date back to the 1920s, when increasing evidence indicated that their consumption pose potential risks to humans, causing severe health adverse effects. In this context, the current project research proposal is motivated by the necessity to tackle few of the current society requirements regarding the need to regulate food quality and to provide safety assurances for consumers by developing portable, cheap and sensitive detection devices with direct applicability in preventing the increased use of highly toxic color additives in food industry and reducing the potential negative side-effects associated with artificial food dye consumption on human’s health. Our main goal is to take a new nanocomposite polymer/graphene-based material out of the lab and transfer it into a real world applications which exploits at maximum the extraordinary and versatile graphene properties, by integration of modified electrodes in novel electronic systems that can revolutionize multiple industries, especially the sensor applications, with direct beneficial impact in health and life sciences. The research team targets to take use of the high sensitivity and selectivity of an already existing modified electrode obtained in our group (from the surface area modification of a glassy-carbon electrode, with a new type of chitosan/graphene nanocomposite material) in order to fabricate a low cost sensing electrochemical platform adapted for the rapid, on-site and real time quantitative analysis of trace levels of SY from commercially available food and beverage products.

Assessment of content and distribution of trans fatty acids in food products from Romanian market Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3502 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/tfas-food/index.htm

Abstract:

Trans fats, also named trans fatty acids (TFAs) are a particular type of unsaturated fatty acid. The partial hydrogenation used in food industry lowers the number of double bonds and increases the hydrogen amount thus creating trans fats. The mandatory requirement in many countries to declare the amount of trans fat present in food products which led to the need for sensitive and accurate methodologies for a rapid quantification of trans fats. The originality and novelty of the proposed project: „Assessment of content and distribution of trans fatty acids in food products from Romanian market” (ACRONIM: TFAs-FOOD)” is based on a complex investigation for the detection of TFAs in vegetable oils and food products by the combination of complementary analytical methods such as GC-FID, GC-MS, FT-IR, Raman and also with chemometric methods for the processing of analytical data. The limits of the current approaches in the field are related mainly to the following aspects: i). until now there are no studies regarding the measurement of content and distribution of trans fatty acids in food products present on the Romanian market although there is COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2019/649 that is to apply from 1 April 2021 for all the countries of the European Union and which limits TFAs in foods (maximum 2 grams per 100 grams of fat); ii). until now in Romania there are no validated analytical methods regarding the assessment and distribution of fatty acids in food; iii); in Romania the food products are not labelling correctly, the content of trans fatty acids not being specified.

Transylvanian spirits – from story to local fingerprint Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1699 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/transyprint/index_files/index_ro.htm

Abstract:

The project scope is to strength the expertise of our laboratory, through the development of new analytical services, able to assure the fruits distillates authentication, with respect to the geographical and botanical origin, based on acknowledged and emerging techniques for this purpose.

To achieve the main scope of the project, the identification of isotopic and elemental fingerprint of some Transylvanian distillate types (plums, pears, apples, cherry and apricots) will be performed. Thus, this project will allow the development of the first Romanian database which would contain traceability markers for the correct classification of Transylvanian fruits spirits. By the corroboration of this markers, through supervised chemometric methods, the development of chemometric models able to differentiate among geographical origin as well as, the fruit variety which was the precursor of obtained distillates will be generated.

The novelty elements of the project at national and international will consist in: i) The first isotopic and elemental fingerprinting of Transylvanian fruit distillates with the main aim of their further certification in accordance with the EU legislation; ii) Development of new chemometric models for geographical and varietal origin discrimination of distillates; iii) Application of metabolomics (based on vibrational and 1H-NMR spectroscopies) for the classification with respect to geographical origin and variety of Transylvanian fruit spirits; iv) Identification of specific fingerprint of Transylvanian distillates with respect to the fruit variety which was used as raw material.

The achievement of project objectives will contribute to the international and national promotion of the Transylvanian distillates based on scientific argument, using different dissemination tools (i.e. paper publication in high impact ISI journals, results presentations in scientific events as well as to the economic environment).

Formic acid/carbon dioxide, a couple for renewable catalytic hydrogen storage Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1326 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/ru143/Home.htm

Abstract:

The growing need for energy requires development of new energy sources/carriers and more efficient utilization of energy. Hydrogen is the ideal energy carrier due to its natural abundance and non-polluting nature.

The development of hydrogen storage technologies for mobile applications still requires overcoming some technical barriers.

Different hydrogen storage paths have been envisaged: from the classical storage technologies, namely pressurization and cryogenic liquefaction, to the solid phase storage in metal hydrides, or physisorbed on a solid surface (metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks) and the organic liquid hydrogen carrier (LC) under ambient conditions.

Chemical hydrogen storage can became competitive if the storage material fulfils some requierements: high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen content under ambient conditions, energy-efficient reversible charge and discharge, the absence of byproducts, long-term stability, low toxicity, easily available at a large scale and at a low price. The challenge is to find suitable organic carriers.

Formic acid is a promising candidate for reversible hydrogen storage. The aim of this project is to study formic acid decomposition/formation using a new type of catalysts: metallic nanoparticles confined in metal-organic frameworks, to exploit the nanoparticles confinement and the nanoscale properties for reactions of formic acid dehydrogenation and carbon dioxide reduction under mild conditions.

New nanocomposites based on biocompatible polymers and graphene for dental applications Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1282 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); APEL LASER S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/biograf/

Abstract:

In modern dentistry, both the early prevention of tooth decay and the development of new and efficient restorative materials are generally targeted. Although tremendous efforts have been made in promoting oral hygiene and fluoridation, the prevention of early caries lesions are still challenges for dental research and public health. Recent studies have indicated that nanotechnology might provide novel strategies in dentistry.

Graphene consists in a one-atom-thick planar sheet of sp2–bonded carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Graphene is considered to be the “thinnest and strongest material in the universe” and therefore it has remarkable physical and chemical properties, including superior Young’s modulus (1 TPa) and tensile strength (130 GPa). Recent studies have shown that graphene can be used as nanofiller and can dramatically improve the properties of polymer-based composites at a very low loading (0.1-5 wt.%).The results so far reported in the literature indicated that graphene/polymer composites are promising multifunctional materials with significantly improved tensile strength and elastic modulus, electrical and thermal conductivity. Despite some challenges and the fact that carbon nanotubes/polymer composites are sometimes better in some particular performance, graphene/polymer composites may have wide applications in dentistry due to their outstanding properties and the availability of graphene in a large quantity and at low cost.

Within the BIOGRAF project we plan to develop: ► a new nanocomposite material based on biocompatible polymers and graphene to be used in dental restorations ► new ex vivo tests to identify the host reaction to this material, in relationship with some biologic risk indicators. The final aim of the project is to develop modern and standardized therapies of caries lesions through the development of the novel nanocomposite material based on biocompatible polymers and graphene.

The present research project fits very well into the research domain 7. Materials, processes and innovative products since a new nanocomposite material with graphene will be manufactured which will fulfill the bio-safety criteria and have biocompatible properties with the local cellular environment. By its specific objectives BIOGRAF corresponds to the research thematic 7.1.6. Advanced materials and biomaterials for improving the quality of life (health, sport, education) because: ► a new nanocomposite material with graphene will be developed, for better medical treatments ► complex inter-/multidisciplinary studies will be performed, in order to elaborate and validate new standardized therapies based on advanced materials ►the development of a new perspective in dentistry, based on advanced theoretical and practical knowledge ► a research network will be developed which can ensure human resources for the top scientific research ► articles will be published in highly-ranked journals (ISI) ► research papers will be presented at international conferences ►valuable information will be disseminated among PhD/PostDoc students and researchers in the field of nanocomposite materials ►the equipments that will be purchased will develop the existing R&D infrastructure.

BIOGRAF project is aiming to deliver the following end-product(s)/ expected results:

► a new nanocomposite material with graphene, to be used in dental restoration therapy

► one laboratory technology for the synthesis of the nanocomposite material

►3 ISI papers, in highly ranked journals

►a patent.

Dermatological Products based on Hybrid Biomaterials Obtained from Anthocyanins and Metallic Nanoparticles Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0914 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/natnanomed/pag%201.html

Abstract:

The main concept of the project proposal is the study of the influence of the application of some new therapies involving the use of new biomaterials based on metallic nanoparticles and natural organic compounds separated from fruits (anthocyanins, aminoacids, poliphenols) at skin level. The macroscopic and microscopic changes induced by metallic nanoparticles (nanomaterials) applied topically on skin can be evaluated by using high frequency ultrasound. By means of the obtained results, a mathematical model of how the nanoparticles help organic molecules to penetrate the skin and to influence the evolution of collagen layer will be developed.

Synthesis of high purity graphene by CCVD-IH method on noble-metal catalyst for studying DNA oxidation Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0129 2011 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/idei129/index.htm

Abstract:

This project proposes the identification of parameters necessary to obtain in a single step synthesis high-purity graphenes, decorated with Au or Pt nanoparticles. To accomplish this task, we propose the development and study of novel Au or Pt supported on MgO catalytic systems, that can be used in the inductive heating-CCVD method, to grow composites of graphenes and Au/Pt nanoparticles. We propose to study the influence of the synthesis conditions on the morphology of the graphene layers and the uniformity of Au/Pt nanoparticles distribution throughout the graphitic structure. The integration of the noble metal nanoparticles (Au, Pt) into the graphitic structure of layers, rather than just attaching them chemically on the graphitic surface, has some major advantages related to the electronic properties, better structural integrity, and better distribution uniformity. Finally, the graphenes decorated with Au or Pt nanoparticles will be used as active components into highly sensitive electrochemical electrodes to study the oxidation processes of adenine, guanine and DNA strands. These studies could be the foundation for the development of new technologies with high sensitivity and specificity towards the understanding of various bio-chemical reactions that could include the DNA degradation. Moreover, the results of this study could be integrated in technological platforms used for the detection of various deseases and medical conditions.

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	Download (98.48 kb) 13/01/2017