BrainMap

Mihaela Kusko

research scientist I

- INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Researcher | Scientific reviewer

ResearcherID: not public

Expertise & keywords

New methods of pregnancy monitoring and prenatal diagnosis Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0820 2018 - 2021

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 DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO); INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL PENTRU SANATATEA MAMEI SI COPILULUI "ALESSANDRESCU-RUSESCU" BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/mimosa/index_en.php

Abstract:

The Complex Project „ New methods of pregnancy monitoring and prenatal diagnosis” proposes to define and develop new biomedical devices for pregnant women and foetus monitoring, with the purpose to avoid life-threating complications for both the mother and the child.
It will be developed through four Component Projects:
1. Prenatal non-invasive screening, using cell free fetal DNA, extracted from the mother’s blood. It will develop a chip for the non-invasive detection of the SRY gene, together with a working protocol for a new type of non-invasive analysis for the early prenatal diagnosis.
2. Non-invasive microsensors for continuous glucose monitoring during pregnancy – proposes the technology development for a non-invasive glucose sensor to measure the glucose level in saliva. The project will support the continuous monitoring of pregnant women, avoiding dangers effects coming from the invasive methods (inflammations, infections).
3. Evaluation of premature birth risks due to the HPV-EVA-RINA infection. The project will develop clinical studies related to the HPC infection involvement in triggering premature birth, using genotyping microarray-type structures;
4. Wireless multi-sensor system for foetal activity and uterine contractions monitoring and classification during pregnancy – aims to develop an intelligent system, containing a wireless network of wearable sensors and a main unit for signal processing and analysis.
The complex project description includes the novelty elements, detailed activities description, the working procedures within the consortium, expected results and deliverables. The deliverables has an average TRL 5, which means all four component projects will have a high technological level and the result’s maturity will reach at least successful laboratory testing.

Nanostructured carbon based materials for advanced industrial applications Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0619 2018 - 2021

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); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU ELECTROCHIMIE SI MATERIE CONDENSATA - INCEMC TIMISOARA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/nanocarbon+/

Abstract:

Our proposal (NANOCARBON+) is focused on a highly technologically relevant unifying topic: the exploitation of the recently demonstrated extreme properties of a specific class of carbon nanomaterials - nanostructured graphene, used in specific morphologies and compositional categories - towards the development of innovative technologies for essential eco-industrial areas (failure monitoring, pollutant detection/decontamination in air/water, green energy). The proposal is split in four composing projects, all of them aiming at exploring the use of these unique nanomaterials for the development of innovative and/or improved sensing devices in a range of applications with strong industrial impact.
The consortium behind this proposal has a good regional coverage and suitable research and development resources, both in terms of researchers and appropriate equipment. The consortium comprises of four National R&D Institutes and two Universities, distributed in three adminstrative regions.
The central objective of this complex proposal is an efficient integration of the scientific expertise and experimental capabilities, complementarities and synergies of the six consortium member organizations, towards augmenting their overall organizational performance.
The objectives of the proposal go well beyond the academic research; from the very begining of the execution, we aim at achieving a very good connection with SMEs and other industrial partners in order to understand market requirements and to be able to transfer suitable innovatibe technologies and further support the development of new products. Developing new technologies and services is one part of the expected output, contributing to the development of the partner's capabilities by opening new research areas; in addition, a special attention is devoted to the increase and development of the human resources involved in research. In this respect, the consortium does commit to creating 11 new research positions.

Sensors and Integrated Electronic and Photonic Systems for people and Infrastructures Security Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0419 2018 - 2021

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 POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PITESTI (RO); Ministerul Apararii Nationale prin Centrul de Cercetare Stiintifica pentru Aparare CBRN si Ecologie (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.sensis-ict.ro

Abstract:

The Complex Project “Sensors and Integrated Electronic and Photonic Systems for people and Infrastructures Security” aims to develop new sensors, new integrated electronic and photonic systems for detection of explosives used in terrorist attacks or accidentally released in military bases or industrial sites.
The Complex Project is developed through four distinct projects, called “components” which are converging to the Project goals by detection of explosive substances and increasing the security of people and infrastructures, as follows:
1) Design and development of a portable microsystem, based on TF BAR sensors arrays, for multiple detection of explosives (TATP, HMTD, TNT, RDX, NG, EGDN) used in terrorist attacks; 2) SiC-based hydrocarbons sensors for measuring the hydrogen and hydrocarbons in hostile industrial environments; 3) Infrared sensors for dangerous gases detection, such as explosive gases (methane) or pollutants (carbon dioxide / monoxide); 4) Design and development of a piezoelectric energy micro-harvester, able to generate electric power in the 100µW range, used for powering up sensors and portable microsystems used in explosive gases and substances detection.
The complex project description includes the novelty elements, detailed activities description, the working procedures within the consortium, expected results and deliverables. The deliverables has an average TRL 5, which means all four component projects will have a high technological level and the result’s maturity will reach at least successful laboratory testing.
The project will deliver the sensors and integrated systems along with the energy micro-harvester as physical objects and technologies, functional and laboratory- and real conditions tested, scientific papers and patents. The project’s high impact on the participants and also the social impact are detailed.

Challenges and issues in engineering nano-systems based on graphene-like materials for supercapacitors - EnGraMS Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0618 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Project coordinator

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)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/engrams/

Abstract:

The EnGraMS project aims the design and fabrication of novel engineering nano-systems based on graphene-like materials, including reduced graphene oxide (rGO), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), using micro-nanotechnologies for miniaturized supercapacitors development, with potential applications in several priority domains, like portable electronics or implantable medical devices industry. The charge storage mechanism in supercapacitor electrodes based on these nanomaterials is still unclear, either when they are alone or even more when they are interacting with one other. Moreover, a systematic study to give the driving principles for optimizing electrode architectures is not yet realized, especially for hybrid systems based on different graphene-like materials, where both pseudocapacitance and electrical double layer capacitance are interplaying. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the electrode structure and supercapacitive performances remains a major challenge and, at the same time, a promising strategy for the next improvements.
The specific objectives result from the proposed research plan and include:
O1. Development of new types of novel engineered hybrid nano-systems based on graphene-like materials with improved supercapacitive properties; exploring of their interface phenomena and corresponding charge transfer mechanisms.
O2. Development of new chemical methods for appropriate surface functionalization, and nanotechnologies for reliable utilization of different types of graphene-like nanomaterials.
O3. Design and fabrication of 3D architectures as current collector/electrode/electrolyte assembly;
O4. Investigation of how the architecture of the device modifies the charge storage mechanisms; select the suitable assembly to realize a new system, with improved technical performances.

Dye-sensitized solar cells by molecular engineering of phenoxazine- or phenothiazine-based sensitizers Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0510 2017 - 2018

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.icmpp.ro/projects.php (proiecte PNCDI III)

Abstract:

EngDSSC project fully addresses the main objective - Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy of ENERGY Theme in Horizon 2020. In this multidisciplinary, joint project, related to the very hot topic of solar energy conversion, two partners will work on dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology, the leading photovoltaic technology among the 3rd solar cells generation. The aim of this project is to obtain a competitive DSSC prototype by molecular engineering of new sensitizers. To this goal, the DSSC configuration will be engineered using our strong know-how in chemistry and physics. To achieve a high efficiency DSSC, new molecularly engineered dyes, cell design and technological approaches will be developed. The overall work plan comprises activities ranging from the material design (TRL2) to the DSSCs prototype validation (TRL4). The new dyes combine structural features such as: a phenothiazine- or phenoxazine-substituted triarylamine as donor moiety, a π-linker and a cyanoacrylic acid as anchor and electron acceptor. Two approaches will be used: a donor in a cone-shaped configuration with strong push strength and two or three anchoring groups on TiO2 surface. The specific targets are the optimization of the push-pull dyes by our synthetic methods, their structural, photo-optical and electrochemical characterization, HOMO/LUMO levels and energy bandgap evaluation, so as to get the best sensitizers for DSSC manufacturing. Validation of the energetic compatibility between the cell’s elements, proof of the charge transfer, finding the best solution for TiO2 functionalization are the key activities whereupon the technology for DSSCs prototype fabrication will be developed. The recombination mechanisms, quantum efficiency and cell efficiency will be evaluated. As last activity, cell optimization by hole transport modulation and tuning of both the functionalization solution and electrolyte composition. The goal is to go beyond 5% efficiency, a key objective of the project.

Microscale hybrid energy storage devices for integrated portable electronics - MiStorE Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0974 2017 - 2018

Role in this project: Project coordinator

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)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/mistore/rezultate.php

Abstract:

Development of clean and renewable energy systems, either for conversion or storage of energy devices, represents a legitimate technological trend, in accordance with the needs of the energy foreground program. In this regard, the electrochemical energy production/storage devices represent a valuable alternative and include batteries, fuel cells and electrochemical capacitors. In this very context, the present project proposes a novel research approach for miniaturized supercapacitors. Thus, the MiStorE project realizes a connection of researches from micro/nanotechnologies and advanced materials areas to the integrated portable electronics requirements aiming the development of a novel energy storage device as a hybrid nanosystems assembly.
We previously explored the transport properties of GQDs, and the conductivity of the carbon based screen-printed electrodes modified with MoS2 nano-flakes and GQDs, and we revealed the GQD charge storage capacity and the improvement of the electrochemical response, which place us at the TRL 2 value at this moment. To the best of our knowledge, there is no literature on the the supercapacitive properties of the GQDs-MoS2 nano-assembly. Due to the scarcity of the results we believe to find an opportunity to exploit our previous findings, for realizing hybrid MSC based on GQDs and MoS2 nano-assemblies aiming improving the energy density while maintaining high power density.
The following components will be realized: (i) original heterostructures with supercapacitive properties, which provide high delivered specific capacitance and low equivalent series resistance; (ii) all solid state flexible planar microscale supercapacitor system (MSC). The laboratory-scale testing of the hybrid MSC performances corresponds to the TRL 4 value.

Hybrid flexible interface for energy purposes Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1095 2015 - 2017

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)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/hyflep/

Abstract:

The driving motivation of this project proposal dwells in the development and investigation of graphene based materials (Gbm) suitable to be integrated in novel types of photovoltaic devices (PV) based on Gbm/Silicon heterostructures. Distinct from the already existing technologies based on graphene films and flakes that are very popular nowadays, the accent will be on graphene quantum dots (GQD), appealing in terms of energy level alignment, thus allowing probing new horizons in PV technology. Silicon heterojunctions formed with carbon based materials represent a solution because they can be considered as active photogeneration sites, percolated network for charge transport and charge carriers collection. Since the efficiency of a PV solar cell mainly depends on the ability of incident photons absorption and equally generated carriers collection, a targeted approach envisaging the development of a nanostructurated hybrid photovoltaic (PV) device, relaying on the use of flexible nanopatterned substrate (nanoSi) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is herein proposed.

Identification of new modulators of calcium-regulated processes using genomic and chemogenomic screens in yeast Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0291 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); APEL LASER S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.calchemgen.ro/

Abstract:

Calcium ions are used by virtually all eukaryotic cells to signal information about the environment and the physiological state of the cell, or to regulate various cellular processes such as initiation of gene expression, alterations in cell shape, membrane fusion, or programmed cell death. Excessive or unregulated levels of calcium induce a variety of drastic defects, such as uncontrolled cell proliferation, aberrant cell morphology, or cell death, leading to disruption of normal metabolism and initiation of various diseases. The versatility of calcium-mediated regulation of key physiological processes requires extensive research to identify the interplay between calcium signaling, mechanisms of diseases and discovery of new drugs.
The aim of this project is to utilize Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to unravel new insights into the calcium-regulated cell mechanisms and to investigate the applicability of in house newly-synthesized chemicals as novel therapeutic and imaging agents, selected through interactions with the calcium-dependent pathway components. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a unicellular eukaryotic organism extensively used for the study of conserved processes and for getting information that can be further extrapolated to complex organisms like humans. The current proposal was initiated by highly-promising preliminary results obtained in the laboratories of the coordinating group. These results are based on novel and spectacular cell modifications which mimic aberrations in fundamental processes such as cell shape, cell polarity, and cell proliferation, representing the center of a complex network of research which will be established by the project.
The project will imply systemic investigations such as genomic profilings paralleled by chemo-genomic screens designed to identify new interactions between small molecules and calcium-related biologic processes. The proposed work will provide an unprecedented coverage on structure-function information, facilitating the analysis of synergistic and antagonistic interactions between molecular components of calcium-related metabolism. The project is multidisciplinary, involving a plethora of aspects related to cell and molecular biology, genetics, chemical synthesis and analysis, high-throughput screening, bioinformatics and imaging.
This project will be carried out by a consortium of four partner groups with relevant research and innovation expertise: University of Bucharest (as coordinating organization, CO), Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy (Partner P1), National Institute of Research and Development for Microtechnology (Partner P2), and a small enterprise, Apel Laser (Partner P3). The consortium was established based on the state-of-the-art infrastructure already existent in the implementing institutions and on the strong complementarities between the research and market expertise of the partner groups.

Improved production methods to minimize metallic nanoparticles’ toxicity – less classic, more green Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1780 2014 - 2017

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); AGHORAS INVENT SRL (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/lesmorenano/

Abstract:

The demand for engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) comes from the great promise for major advances in different areas of applications, practically all fields of knowledge being in some way or another related with nanomaterials. Among the different kinds of ENPs, the special properties of metallic NPs (MeNPs) make them attractive for most of the domains, from opto-electronic industry to biomedicine. As a result of these applications, MeNPs exposure to the environment and humans is becoming increasingly widespread.
The present proposal lies in this very context of the nanotoxicology, and it has taken shape as a result of numerous discussions initiated by researchers from a small enterprise which develop and put on the market novel cosmetic products based on different types of nanoparticles – Aghoras Invent SRL – and consequently has a direct interest in analyzing their potential adverse effects.
The aim of this project is to provide a better understanding of MeNPs safety and a basis for health and risk assessment. Consequently, an intensive work on hazard characterization and impact assessment of selected nanoparticles and economically relevant products is proposed. In this context, the end-of-project results will be: (i) as technological development, from experimental point of view, different sizes/shapes of Au, Ag and PtNPs, relevant for skin care products’ development, will be obtained using both, conventional chemical reduction and eco-friendly methods. Stable and homogenous metallic nanoparticle colloidal dispersions with specific size ranges are aimed, using eco-friendly processes and the chemical reduction routes; appropriated surface functionalization will be also realized, since it provides stability, solubility and retention of optical properties in various media; (ii) as a nanoparticle properties’ study, advanced equipments for analytical characterization will be used and also, the up to date nanotoxicology specific in vitro tests will be used to accomplish the final proposed objective of this project, giving a strong support for a correct decision. Furthermore, this project aims to extend the use of existing ‚state of the art’ methods.
In summary, this project addresses: ¤ increased concern of national and international regulatory organizations; ¤ reticence of companies and manufacturers of developing NP based products and technologies in absence of clear safety standards; ¤ nanotoxicology emerging research field; ¤ assessing NP toxicology an extreme complex research effort due to a large multitude of NP variables; ¤ imperative necessity to find effective countermeasures to the potential hazards represented by NPs; ¤ green synthesis as a route for diminishing / elimination of NP adverse effects on health and environment.
It will provide our contribution to the common efforts of research community offering answers about the potential toxicological effects of three classes on MeNPs and also proposing fabrication alternative, to minimize the negative consequences as greener pathways to nanoproducts.

RFID device for food traceability Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1268 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); OPTOELECTRONICA - 2001 S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.3nanosae.org/p/foodtrack/

Abstract:

“RFID device for food traceability (Food track)” aims specifically to develop a self-sustainable RFID device, equipped with a sensor, which allows, not only the traceability of a certain food package, but also the level of freshness of its content. The need for active intelligent packaging equipped with nano-systems that can monitor the conditions of the food during transportation and storage has led the scientific community to the development of a novel based on the electronics on plastic. Electronic circuits supported on a cheap, flexible polymeric support that can be miniaturized up to micro and nano level promise to assure a fast and inexpensive quality control available for everyone. Radio frequency identification tags (RFID) are the most important development field today, based on the implementation of conductive polymers onto a flexible plastic support; they are similar to bar codes and have been used in food industry traceability, inventory management and security. But RFID systems can carry much more complex information, like temperature, relative humidity, gases and electroactive species, when equipped with a specific sensor and have the ability to transmit information up to 50 m. Thanks to their low-level complexity and cost, RFID have the potential to become the leading market in food control, especially if they integrate chemical sensor. This RFID-sensor assembly is the central component of the intelligent packaging system which, in contrast to active packaging does not influence properties of the food products, but collects the information about its state and transmits it to retailers, manufacturer, food authorities or customer.
Wireless sensor and sensor networks are the state-of-the-art in detection technologies; their use varies from homeland security to environmental protection. The key requirements for a sensor refer to sensitivity (the minimal level of analyte to detect), selectivity (exclusion of “false alarms” and the identification of a specific analyte) and response time (high-speed electronics are preferred since they provide a real-time analysis). The challenges which have to be overcome refer to finding a single technology that can unify the multitude of fabrication methods for different kind of sensitive layers, cheap materials, moderate costs, easy to use and long-time batteries.
The proposed instrument will be comprised of a self-sustainable source, a micro-RFID device and an electrochemical sensor with four sensitive functions, modulated for each type of food. The main component of the instrument is the sensor-RFID assembly. The sensitive layer of the sensor will be design to detect a broad range of properties, characteristic for the qualitative control of food: temperature, relative humidity, pH, number of refreezing cycles, volatile organic compounds and biogenic amines. The micro-RFID device will store and transmit the information collected from the sensor. The system will be powered by two metallic electrodes, chosen from the appropriate position in the table of chemical reactivity; the electrolyte solution will be provided by the food itself (internal, organic juices that will diffuse through a permissive membrane and connect the two electrodes).
The novelty of this project is the incorporation of an interdigitized sensor, laser-printed on a cheap, flexible polymer, combined with a micro-RFID device and an incorporated self-sustainable battery for use if food industry and quality control.

Multiplexed platform for HPV genotyping – MultiplexGen Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1434 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Project coordinator

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); GENETIC LAB S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/multiplexgen/index.php

Abstract:

MultiplexGen project addresses a current problem in medical diagnosis, detection in an accurate and specific way of Human papillomavirus (HPV) and sets out to explore specific solutions from micro- nanotechnology to overcome the limitations of the conventional tests, which are not quantitative and exclude multiplexing. The aim of the project is to develop a high sensitivity multiplexed platform which consists of different functional levels, and as a consequence is generic named “multilevel system”. It is based on hybrid organic-inorganic / bio-nonbiological assemblies able to enhance diagnostic capabilities by exploiting the bridge between bio-systems and micro-nanotechnologies, thus overcoming many of the limitations of the existing methods for Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and genotyping.
This proposal has evolve as a result of numerous discussions initiated by researchers from the clinical laboratory - SME – GeneticLab with their colleagues from Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology - IMT (LN-IMT) about various specific issues they encountered in their activity related to HPV genotyping by capillary electrophoresis kit, which are identified as primary technical and scientific barriers that will be lifted by carrying out the present project. The long time collaboration encouraged them to believe that IMT will find a technological answer to the problem posed by the classical diagnosis method, and furthermore, Centre of Applied and Organic Chemistry - UB (CAOC) will provide a theoretical understanding of the processes and phenomena taking place in HPV genotyping.
The issues supposed to be solved related to the mentioned thematic area, which represents the secondary objectives of the project, are encompassing the fundamental and technological knowledge and are parts of our functional model demonstration, as following: (i) to obtain a microarray based technology for accurate HPV genotyping; (ii) to improve the up to now reported results in terms of sensitivity / selectivity by connecting the biochip to a microfluidic system; (iii) to indicate the optimum design for biochip to allow parallel detection and in this way confirmation of results; (iv) to propose a heterogeneous technology for integration and 3D packaging and correpondingly a functional hybrid assembly of all these modules for a further disposable system developing.
Therefore, an extensive investigation and optimization of the benefits that our knowledge in genetics, microfluidic technology, microarray technology, surface biofunctionalization, as well as opto-electrical read-out signal analyses are able to bring a valuable tool to a medical diagnostic laboratory, a chip class of devices, with important specific HPV detection / genotyping application. For example, combining the fields of microfluidics and DNA microarrays, the advantages of both directions can be exploited simultaneously, mediated by valuable new knowledge about biointeractions and biohybrid assembling.
Besides the envisaged final outcome of this project, the functional model of hybrid multilevel system for HPV genotyping, the modules and even more, each specific technology improvement are of high value by themselves each of them being independently used thenceforth. State-of-the-art scientific results in all of the disciplines involved will be the direct project outcomes, which will be proven by the publications on microfluidics, on-chip sample preparation, and on clinical comparison of HPV detection technologies in international journals and at international conferences.

Array structures for prevention, individualized diagnosis and treatment in cancers with high risk of incidence and mortality Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0803 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.ALEXANDRU TRESTIOREANU BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.ALEXANDRU TRESTIOREANU BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.iob.ro/proiectepniv.html

Abstract:

Cancer is a worldwide health problem and represents a major public health challenge as it is responsible for 25% of all deaths, being the second most common cause of death after cardio-vascular diseases. In considerations of these peculiarities and of the socio-economic impact of the expected rise of cancer, it appears of priority importance to address the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of this disease more effectively. One of the main directions currently pursued for increasing the proportion of positive responses in the treatment of cancer is the attempt to individualize treatment. Investigation of gene expression profiling is a relatively new methodology for characterization of cancer at the molecular level which tends to be a very useful tool because of its potential to improve clinical management of disease. Very surprising in a way, if the knowledge on molecular aspects of human cancer strongly developed in the last 20 – 30 years, much less data exist in respect to animal cancers, yet this one tends to become an important problem, especially for pets.
The main objectives of the project are designing, fabrication, tests and validation of array structures that could be used to details molecular / genetic particularities of two major forms of cancer: breast cancer, and colon cancer, in order to develop new tools for cancer prevention, and for an individualized ways of diagnosis, treatment and prognostic, both in humans and animals. Interest genes will be RAS, for breast cancer (humans and animals) and colon cancer (humans), and BRCA, for breast cancer, in humans and animals and for cancer prevention. Other expected achievements will be: contribution to existing data on molecular characteristics of cancer; comparative studies between humans and animals referring to cancer genes expression; translation of the results in human and animal clinics; identification of risk groups for breast cancer.

Environmental toxic and flammable gas detector based on silicon carbide MOS sensor array Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0566 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); CEPROCIM S.A. (RO); INTERNET S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro

Abstract:

The objective of project is to produce for Security Domain, for detection and identification of dangerous gases (factors generating of crisis), an environmental toxic and flammable gases detector based on MOS capacitor gas sensor array. The gases of interest detected by our detector are: H2, CH4, CO, NO2, and SO2. MOS sensor on silicon carbide (SiC) is well suited for such application, because has high selectivity and sensitivity, fast response, short recovery time and low power consumption. Our sensor works in high temperature and harsh environment applications. Several innovative material and structures will be developed that will increase the performances of the present MOSiC sensors. Every structure will be highly sensitive to a certain type of gas. Structures with different characteristics will be integrated in an array in order to increase the range of gases that can be detected precisely. A drive circuit will be developed. Its purpose is to measure the output of the gas sensor and transmit it to a PC. On the PC a custom software application will be developed. This application receives the measured values from the drive circuit and analyzes them in order to determine the concentration and type of the detected gas. The sensors and drive circuit will first be designed and simulated. Then the SiC MOS structures will be characterized using a semiconductor characterization system and a controlled environment chamber. Characteristics will be plotted for all the structures in different gas mixtures environments. Sensors and the drive circuits will be fabricated and the custom software application will be developed. The prototype will be tested in the controlled chamber and in real applications to cement factory and the adjustment will be performed.

High Temperature Silicon Carbide (SiC) Smart Sensor for Harsh Environment Industrial Applications Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0487 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); CEPROCIM S.A. (RO); HEIDELBERGCEMENT ROMÂNIA S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://dcae.pub.ro/projects/sicset/

Abstract:

The typical lifetime of a temperature sensor used in the cement industry is only three months due to the highly corrosive agents, vibration levels and thermal stress.
The project goal is to produce an industrial temperature smart sensor based on silicon carbide (SiC) diodes for usage in cement fabrication heaters, operating in the 20-400C range. The P4 partner, a well-known cement producer, is highly interested to use this high life time sensor in control equipments.
The chemical inertness in many media, even at elevated temperatures, make the SiC’s Schottky diodes suitable as temperature sensor.
SiC electronic devices have small capability to work in hostile environments at high temperatures if they cannot be reliably packaged and connected to form a system capable to withstand harsh environment conditions. As a result, package of high temperature sensors form factors can be considerably different from standard packages. A full electrically isolated package is designed and implemented.
The temperature smart sensor is based on SiC diodes sensor and a processing circuit(with amplifier and excitation scheme). The output voltage of this circuit is changed in a current using a converter. A linear dependence between measured temperature on SiC diode and 4-20mA output current is proved for whole temperature range. The sensor operates inside the furnace. For improving the noise robustness a specific probe to electrically connect the sensor to the processing circuit is designed and proved. The sensor will be calibrated in a cement factory. The temperature smart sensor based on SiC diodes is a premiere for Romania industry.
The original contributions of the project will be patented and published in ISI journals and will be also presented in SiC conferences. The experience and scientific results of each partner of the consortium (with specialists from all relevant communities: academia, research institutes and industry), are guarantees for the success of the project

Efficient electrochemical catalysis and regeneration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide at layer-by-layer self-assembled doped membranes Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2010 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2010-0044 2010 - 2013

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/NADH/

Abstract:

The need for an efficient catalysis and regeneration process involving the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is justified, by its economical weight as well as by its valuable applications in the biotechnology field. Nanostructured materials exhibit interesting properties which favour the electrochemical detection of NADH. Obstacles for the effective use of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide include the need of high overpotentials for direct oxidation or reduction of the cofactor, electrode fouling, dimerization of the cofactor, etc. Nevertheless, to promote economically efficient processes, the regeneration of the pyridine cofactor remains a key problem to solve. A platform for various dehydrogenase based bioassays should be obtained by developing an electrochemical probe based on layer-by-layer self-assembled doped metallic nanoparticles membranes. When using nanoparticles for catalysis two main issues are raising: the stabilization the particles while retaining sufficient catalytic activity and the problematic separation of the catalytic particles from the reaction product and unused reactants at the end of the reaction. One solution may be the immobilization of the nanoparticles in thin membranes, minimizing the mass transfer limitations. A generic platform offering a fast regeneration and an efficient catalysis of coenzyme is the goal of this proposal. The motivation, the goals, the team and the methodology are fully described in this research proposal.

EURONANOFORUM 2019 - NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED MATERIALS PROGRESS UNDER HORIZON2020 AND BEYOND Call name: P 3 - SP 3.6 - Proiecte suport pentru ORGANIZARE evenimente
PN-III-P3-3.6-ORG-2019-0030 2019 -

Role in this project:

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)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

DNA Biosensing with Silicon-on-Insulator Substrates-BIS-SOI Call name: P 3 - SP 3.1 - Proiecte de mobilități, România-Franța (bilaterale)
PN-III-P3-3.1-PM-RO-FR-2016-0063 2016 -

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); Institut polytechnique de Grenoble-INP- : Grenoble-INP (FR)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Scopul proiectului BIS-SOI este de a valida conceptul unui biosenzor ADN bazat pe o măsurare electrică directă a unui substrat de siliciu-izolator-siliciu (SOI). Principalul interes rezidă în simplitatea sa și procesul de fabricație ieftin, care constă într-o etapă de litografia și fotogravură urmate de realizarea elementului sensitiv. Avantajele senzorului propus sunt: (i) sensibilitatea, garantată prin utilizarea de substraturi ultra-subțiri de filme de siliciu si izolatori, în care conductia din film este foarte puternic influențat de sarcina de pe suprafața sa superioară a acestuia (expertiză de IMEP-LAHC); (ii) selectivitatea obtinuta datorita unui protocol de functionalizare și hibridizare adaptat tipului de suprafata utilizata pentru obtinerea senzorilor (expertiza IMT); (iii) reutilizarea senzorilor, care va oferi o valoare economică extraordinară. In acest context, BIS-SOI se incadreaza in nevoile clinice de dezvoltare de tehnologii noi si îmbunătățite de diagnostic fiind un punct de start pentru dezvoltarea viitoare de dispozitive integrare complexe de tip laborator-on-a-chip astfel ca continuarea cercetarilor poate fi realizata prin de proiecte comune Horizon 2020. Mai mult un rezultat masurabil al acestui proiect il constituie valorificarea rezultatelor prin publicarea in lucrari comune, cotate ISI.

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