BrainMap

Mr. Elena Niculina Dragoi

PhD

- UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Web of Science ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/D-6256-2011

Curriculum Vitae (21/03/2023)

Expertise & keywords

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR LIGNOCELLULOSIC CROP RESIDUES PROCESSING TOWARDS CIRCULAR ECONOMY INTEGRATION Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3384 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://sustelcr.icpm.tuiasi.ro/

Abstract:

Lignocellulosic crop residues (LCR) represent an important biomass category resulted from agricultural harvesting activities. Such materials consisting of plant parts are of little economic value and regarded as crop wastes. Opportunity of the project proposal is obvious in the light of the existing high available amounts of LCR, further considered as raw materials, the existing knowledge on their processing and the chemical composition.

Another strong argument is the need off boosting up the economy of papermaking fiber production by using such materials by preliminary extraction xylan based hemicelluloses (XHC). The challenges of the project proposal concern: the finding the most favorable approach for separation of polymeric form of xylan and further process the extracted LCR to adequate papermaking quality fibers; recovery and reuse of the alkali consumed in XHC separation; removal of inhibitory compounds valorization the residual liquid flows to chemicals by biotechnological approach; to find adequate treatment of final effluents for reuse or discharge. Specific life cycle assessment tools will finally indicate the environmental performance of the practically demonstrated LCR processing approaches.

Superior valorization of the biomass through recovery of valuable compounds Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0153 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.cercetare.icpm.tuiasi.ro/proiecte/BIOEXTR/, http://omicron.ch.tuiasi.ro/~acblaga/index_en.htm

Abstract:

In the project “Superior valorization of the biomass through recovery of valuable compounds", that joins the top of the world-wide research on bio-separation of natural compounds with important applications in medicine, food and cosmetics research, the separation of some vitamins, carboxylic acids, carbohydrates and lipids by extraction and pertraction with ionic liquids will be studied. These extraction techniques offer the advantages of the high efficiency and selectivity, the reduction of the separation duration, the reduction of solvent loss, and, in the case of pertraction, the possibility to transport the solute

against its concentration gradient. Using ionic liquids in extracting bioactive natural compounds from biomass not only leads to a green process, but also improves the extraction efficiency from a thermodynamic point of view. Furthermore, these methods can be applied for separating the natural compounds with thermic and chemical liability.The project will significantly contribute to the knowledge of the separation mechanism of natural compounds by non-conventional extraction techniques (reactive extraction,

pertraction), to the quantification of the influence of the main factors on separation efficiency, to the modeling, optimization and scaling-up of these processes, in the purpose of improving the technologies applied for these compound's production.

Artificial Intelligence based modelling and optimization of a hybrid system developed though symbiosis of multiple wastewater treatment methods Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1052 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.ai-hss.icpm.tuiasi.ro

Abstract:

The AI-HSS project aims to provide a small-scale industry ready complete system optimized for wastewater treatment, with a focus on pollutants such as colorants, cyanide, antibiotics and black liqueur. In order to reach this ambitious goal, a multitask laboratory-scale system (referred to as REM, with novel elements) combining multiple treatment methods will be modeled, improved, optimized, and prepared for automation and control. The objective is twofold: (1) to extend the REM applicability, to optimize its design and performances and to establish its efficiency and economic potential, thus taking it a step forward to industrial feasibility; (2) to develop a general Artificial Intelligence (Artificial Neural networks and Bio-Inspired Metaheuristics) based modelling-optimization methodology that can be easily applicable to large area of pollutants, with a clear demonstration on a handful of examples. The aim is to provide answers to important questions from the efficiency perspective and to generate a comprehensive knowledge database and new algorithms integrated in an efficient and easy to use software that could be further used in the automation process. To highlight the AI-HSS flexibility and ability to provide optimal results, the new system will be tested on a set of industrial effluents. This will represent an important step in the eventual scale-up to a large industry ready treatment system.

From human to virus. Optimization algorithms with chemical engineering applications Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0551 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://pce-91-2021.info

Abstract:

The project goal is to develop advanced modelling and optimization methodologies based on biologically-inspired algorithms, as a new software product and improved algorithms, with a high-level of novelty and complexity. The main topics are: 1) Algorithms inspired from the human behaviour of learning and cooperation, 2) Algorithms inspired from human competitive behaviour, 3) Algorithms inspired from virus behaviour. Starting from a series of basic variants of some representative components from the specified classes, new, improved variants will be created, by modifications performed on the algorithms (introducing different mechanisms and operators) or by hybridizations with other algorithms (made locally or globally), applying an original automated software methodology.

The association of optimization algorithms with different models (neural networks, support vector machines etc.) determines the obtaining of complete modelling and optimization methodologies, within which the selected optimizers perform both the optimization of the model and of the process. The case studies selected in the field of polymerization processes represent consistent applications of the implemented algorithms.

This proposal, having an interdisciplinary character, is supported by a team of computer scientists and chemical engineers, working on the interface of the two fields, artificial intelligence - chemistry, with competence and experience in both areas.

Biofiltration of air from urban automotive underground spaces Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1520 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://gsor10.wixsite.com/bio-auto

Abstract:

Objectives and approaches. This projects aims to provide a suitable biofiltration technology, inspired from nature, for solving air pollution issues in those undergrounds spaces that are highly susceptible to air pollution due the automotive traffic, such as tunnels and parkings. Two biofiltration technological alternatives (microorganisms-assisted and plant-assisted, respectively) will be assessed in this sense, by considering some local circumstances and the following specific objectives: 1. Characterisation of some urban automotive underground spaces; 2. Characterisation and optimisation of biofiltration performance; 3. Implementation of the proposed biotechnology under real conditions.

Context and perspectives. The proposed research refers to air biofiltration, an advanced research direction that has been recently initiated by the project director and his collaborators. By approaching in Romania this research field, the project is expected to add significant value within the frame of national scientific context, while contributing to the scientific advances in environmental biotechnology, particularly in gas biofiltration field, respectively the increase of Romania representativity and visibility within the international scientific community.

Closing the Water Cycle Gap with Harmonised Actions for Sustainable Management of Water Resources Call name: P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET - COFUND
COFUND-WW2017-WATER HARMONY 2019 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NO); University of Technology Sydney (AU); Qingdao University of Technology (CN); ACSA OBRAS E INFRAESTRUCTURAS S.A.U. (ES); Michigan State University (US); Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL); Stichting Deltares (NL); University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (PL); Marcor (PL); National University of Singapore (SG); Swedish Environmental Research Institute (SE)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: https://icre12.wixsite.com/waterharmony

Abstract:

The Water Harmony project closes the gap between the demand and supply in water, related to quality, quantity, circularity, reusability, human safety and economic feasibility. The project demonstrates sound and adaptive approaches to modern water management concepts that use BigData and other technological advancements to address challenges related to global environmental and societal changes; validation of innovative technologies that enable safer, secure and economically more feasible use and reuse of water, alongside addressing challenges with emerging pollutants. With joint and harmonised efforts, bringing 12 partners from 10 countries together, the project intends to increase public engagement to sustainably address the water challenges that connect sciences and society by using modern, harmonised and shared approaches. It also aims to facilitate policy decisions favouring actions that intensify efforts to close the demand-supply gap in the water sector by providing scientific backgrounds and social mobilisation of policy makers. This 30 months project is a collaboration between Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Israel, Spain, Poland and Romania together with self-financing partners from USA, Australia, Singapore and China. The partners bring a plethora of experience in various aspects of water management, treatment and reuse, which will translate to knowledge shared and invested in new approaches and through innovative development and concepts that become beneficial for Europe and beyond. The project is organised and implemented through 7 Work Packages (WPs) addressing two strategies. The 1st strategy “Holistic management of the water cycle” is implemented via 4 management demo projects in Sweden, Norway, Poland and Romania and the 2nd strategy “ Development and validation of technologies enhancing water reuse potential” is achieved via 7 technological showcases in Spain, Poland, Israel, USA, Australia, Singapore and China. Sound and adoptive water management concepts to address impacts of the changing global environment, Innovative technologies for removal of micro-pollutants for safer and economical use and reuse of water, Mobilising public engagement on water issues, Promoting investments in the water sector, Dissemination of project results and Sound project management together with innovative approaches as Innovation Camps, Open innovation, etc. are implemented in work packages (WPs), with detailed activities, deliverables and milestones. The ambition of the Water Harmony project to unite competent researchers, end-users, policy makers and the public to develop and jointly demonstrate best practices that are potentially valuable for Europe and beyond addressing the SDG 6 “Ensure access to water and sanitation for all”, and various other instruments from EU, UNECE, WHO, etc. The project brings together a team of extremely motivated scientists and practitioners that are hungry for research results through project achievements, and the opportunity to share and create synergies via a collegial forum. Partners have a long record of accomplishment of mobilising research funding through national, bi-lateral and international funding, thus this new consortia provides new and realistic opportunities with synergies that secure sustainability of the initiative of Closing the water gap in Europe and Beyond.

Biotrickling Filtration Upgrade in the Context of Atmospheric Protection and Climate Change Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1165 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: https://gsor10.wixsite.com/bio-up

Abstract:

Objectives and technological concept. This project aims to increase the potential of biotrickling filtration in the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) that are responsible for atmospheric pollution and climate change, such as the volatile organic compounds and their degradation products (e.g. carbon dioxide), by using microorganisms that are able to symbiotically growth and simultaneously remove these

greenhouse gases in the same unit. The development of the proposed technology involves determination of the appropriate microorganisms that could be involved in the biological processes integration and the determination of the optimum operating parameters for maximum GHG reduction. Accomplishment of these objectives corresponds to a technology transition from TRL2 to TRL4 level at the end of the project.

Relevance and added-value components. The project addresses emergent topics related to atmospheric protection and climate change. Particularly, the proposed technology belongs to the most advanced and sustainable options for solving GHG issues, with a valuable contribution within the environmental action policy at national and

international level. This project is expected to have a great impact within the national scientific community, promoting a recently launched research direction related to the biological treatment of gases. In contrast with other developed countries, gas treatment research field is little represented in Romania, while the air biotreatment was recently launched by the project director. The feasibility of carrying out this project is sustained by the acknowledged expertise in biological treatment of gases of the project director, which includes the postdoctoral

experience at prestigious institutions (Université de Sherbrooke,Environment Canada).

Outcomes. Project implementation will result in an upgraded biotechnology with potential for further scaling-up and technological transfer. The project promotes a research platform in this research field.

Testing framework for bio-inspired algorithms Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2016-1399 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: http://www.elenadragoi.ro/bio-test-fram/

Abstract:

Due to their intrinsic random nature (where randomness is used as a mean to imitate the probability based decision making of natural systems), an objective assessment of bio-inspired optimizers (BIA) is difficult to perform. As literature presents numerous such algorithms and new variants are published at a rate that raises very fast, determining the performance of BIAs (in general or on specific problems) is a crucial aspect, which when not performed well can lead to false conclusions with multiple negative consequences. The difficulty of testing BIAs does not only rely on the randomness issue but also on a series of aspects related to the specific of the instance, algorithm and performance space.

The current proposal (BIO-TEST-FRAM) aims to develop a comprehensive framework able to test various BIAs in a controlled manner. In order to reach this objective, BIO-TEST-FRAM will investigate the theoretical and practical understanding of testing BIAs through the development of new approaches (covering the issues of instance selection and generation, control parameters and measures of performance) all included in a general testing framework that will be easy to use even by non-specialized users. A new procedure based on the principles of Design of Experiments will be developed in order to automatically and efficiently select all the aspects previously mentioned, thus alleviating the end user of manually selecting them.

The efficiency of the framework will be tested in specific controlled conditions that cover not only known benchmark optimization problems but also real-life systems from the chemical engineering area.

Biologically-inspired algorithms developed for modelling and optimization of complex chemical processes Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0322 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: http://www.ascchemis.ro/PN_III_51/

Abstract:

The main goal of this proposal is to develop advanced methodologies for modelling and optimization based on biologically-inspired algorithms, as new software products and improved algorithms, with a high-level of novelty and complexity. The tools used for modelling are Artificial Neural Networks, Support Vector Machines and Instance-based regression models. For the optimization procedures, methods based on evolutionary (namely, Differential Evolution algorithm), swarm intelligence (Group Search Optimizer, Differential Search) and Bacteria behavior-Inspired algorithms are chosen. The original and novel elements consist in the development of new variants for optimization algorithms, combinations between them, elaboration of complete methodologies for modelling and optimization, and their applications to different chemical engineering processes. Polymerization processes, with phenomenology not fully clarified, are addressed as case studies, expecting that the obtained predictions to provide useful information for experimental and industrial practice.

The proposal is supported by a team of computer scientists and chemical engineers, working on the interface of the two fields, artificial intelligence – chemical engineering, with competence and experience in both areas.

Publishing the results in high level journals is an essential goal of the project, meaning the international visibility of our work. Also, the software products, registered with the Romanian Office for Copyrights, will represent important achievements for this project.

The new variants of the algorithms, the hybrid configurations of the artificial intelligence tools, and the use of bio-inspired modelling and optimization methodologies for chemical processes can be considered as new approaches, which open new fruitful directions of research and applications in this field.

Software products based on artificial intelligence algorithms applied to modelling and optimization of chemical systems Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0732 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO); ROMUS TRADING & DEVELOPMENT SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: http://proiecte.romus.com/proiecte/uti/web/web_home.php?lang=ro

Abstract:

- The main goal of this project is to obtain new software products which implement advanced modeling, optimization and control methodologies based on artificial intelligence tools (neural networks, evolutionary algorithms, fuzzy systems). These methodologies are applied to various complex processes selected from chemical engineering field, but they are designed in a such general and flexible manner that to be also useful for other processes and systems. The artificial intelligence tools are used individually or as soft computing hybrid configurations.

- The software products implementing the modeling, optimization, and control methodologies are the important deliverables of the project. An efficient technological transfer can be realized through activities performed by the partner software company.

- Besides the applied character, the present proposal has a fundamental research component being represented by a high level scientific research whose main results will be found in the published articles. The original and novel elements of this proposal are connected, mainly, to the development of new artificial intelligence algorithms, new variants and combinations among them, the elaboration of complete methodologies for modeling and optimal control and applications to various chemical processes, for which the phenomenological modeling is difficult to be applied.

-The project shall be developed as a partnership of two prestigious universities (Technical University "Gheorghe Asachi" of Iasi, as the project coordinator, and the University "Politehnica" of Timisoara), together with a software company (Romus Trading & Development SRL). The team proposed to fulfill the project objectives is composed of computer scientists and chemists working on the interface of the two fields, chemistry-artificial intelligence, with competence and experience in both areas.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader	Download (49.73 kb) 07/09/2022
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects