BrainMap

Mr. Octavian-Gabriel Simionescu

Ph.D.

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

Researcher

Octavian-Gabriel Simionescu received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in physics from the University of Bucharest, the Faculty of Physics in 2016 and 2018, respectively. In 2018 he enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the Doctoral School of Physics from the University of Bucharest, studying carbonic materials’ growth processes for sensors and with applications in the field of energy. He graduated Summa cum laude, successfully defending his thesis on the 16th of December 2022 and was granted the title of doctor in physics in 2023. He is working as a research scientist at the National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies. His main research focus until this point has been plasma deposition processes, such as RF magnetron sputtering of thin layers of metal nitrides and oxides, and PECVD growth of NCGs, CNTs, and GNWs. Also working in the field of plasma etching, he is experimenting with techniques such as reactive ion etching and the Bosch technique.

Web of Science ResearcherID: X-7479-2019

Curriculum Vitae (08/06/2023)

Expertise & keywords

Nano meta components for electronic smart wireless systems Call name: P 5.8 - SP 5.8.1 - Premiere Orizont Europa - Instituții - Competiția 2023
PN-IV-P8-8.1-PRE-HE-ORG-2023-0033 2023 - 2026

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:

Project website:

Abstract:

New communications and radar systems require small and tunable high-frequency devices, since their backbone is the Internet-of-Things (IoT). The need for ultrafast, low-energy-consumption information processing of an exponentially increasing data volume will lead to a global mobile traffic reaching 4394 EB by 2030, thus starting the 6G era (data rate up to 1 Tb/s) of an “ubiquitous virtual existence”. In today’s wireless applications, radar sensors play one of the major roles. Due to the increased need for higher sensitivity and non-destructive inspection systems, radar sensors with operating frequency in the microwave spectrum have been gaining increasing attention for smart home, non-destructive material classification, monitoring vital signals, and all the IoT application that need micro-motion detection. The market penetration for these sensors is now hampered by (i) the limited antenna performance and (ii) the frequency selectivity and tunability. SMARTWAY proposes novel architectures based on new paradigms that exhibit a significant decrease in energy consumption while improving speed/performance and miniaturization. The disruptive nature of the targeted approach relies on progress towards the wafer-scale integration of two-dimensional (2D) materials and metamaterials (MMs) into radar sensor suitable for IoT sensing applications. The final outcome of this support activity will be a band-pass filter in the 1–5 GHz range based on nanoscale ferroelectric and carbon-based materials, thus providing brand-new designs of nanoelectronics components with emphasis on compatibility and integration of different materials/technologies.

Impedimetric biosensor based on vertical graphene, integrated with a microfluidic system for monitoring the plasma levels of anti-tumoral agents. Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0444 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: DDS DIAGNOSTIC S.R.L.

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

Affiliation:

Project website: https://ddsdiagnostic.com/neoplacip/

Abstract:

The treatment of patients diagnosed with different types of malignant tumors with antineoplastic drugs is difficult, due to the considerable variability of the pharmacokinetic parameters of these drugs, but also due to a plethora of adverse and secondary effects. The project proposes development of a sensor for simultaneous detection from human plasma of three antitumoral compunds commonly used in cancer therapy in Romania: etoposide, cisplatin and bleomycin. They are often used in combination therapy, in an attempt to minimize side effects and maximize the therapeutic effect. The NEOPLACIP project proposes the development of a microfluidic system, based on detection by electrochemical impedance, for the prognosis and personalization of antitumor therapy by determining the concentration of the antineoplastic agents in the biological fluids of patients undergoing treatment. The microfluidic system will be presented with integrated electrochemical sensors whose working electrodes are functionalized with vertical graphene and will specifically bind the therapeutic compunds through a set of immunoglobulins. This type of sensor is able to provide information on the concentration of antineoplastics in the human plasma, through a fast and sensitive analysis, in real-time. The information obtained will lead to the personalization of the administration method, with benefits first and foremost for the patient, and subsequently economic benefits through low consumption of reagents, low costs, cheap and easy-to-handle equipment and instruments and implicitly, very low risk of contamination. So far, in Romania, no microfluidic platforms have been developed presented with electrochemical sensors based on graphene for the detection of biomolecules, hence the market potential for the sensor. In addition, the project will stimulate Research-Development-Innovation investments by the beneficiary company and will strengthen its position on the market.

New semiconductor ferroelectric material for digital applications Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3183 2022 - 2024

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:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/ferromemolog/index.html

Abstract:

The project proposes to develop a new semiconductor ferroelectric at the wafer scale NiO:N (NiO doped with N) and based on it to develop switchable rectification devices, logic gates and transistors with memories where the logic operation and memory are in the same place. We have obtained the demonstration of the ferroelectricity in atomically-thin NiO doped with N. The advantages of a NiO:N ferroelectric semiconductor films are very important since on a single chip we can combine various functions of semiconductors, such as amplification and digital processing, with those specific of ferroelectrics, such as memory. Therefore, on a single chip, it could be possible to assemble all electronic functions for in-memory computing, going thus beyond the von Neumann computing architecture used today, in which the memory and the digital processing unit (ALU) are separated and the computer consumes the largest part of its electric power to transfer data between these two units.

The main outcome of this project will be the foundation of a technological platform for the ferroelectric field-effect-transistor memory devices, logic gates with memories, and for memory diodes devices with logic gates.

First demonstrator (designed to be realized from TRL 2 up to TRL 4) is a CMOS compatible device in which several layers are used forming an MFM (metal–ferroelectric–metal) diode in which, it is used, in frist time, as a ferroelectric material, a NiO:N film, then with HfO2:Zr. The Ferroelectric films layer will have thicknesses between a few nanometers and 30 nm.

Second demonstrator (designed to be realized from TRL 2 up to TRL 4) is a ferroelectric FET (Fe-FET) having as channel a graphene monolayer transferred at the wafer scale.

Both demonstrators are advanced devices at the wafer scale in the area of neuromorphic computation since the logic and memory operations are taking in the same place as in the case of neurons.

Nano-crystalline graphite disposable electrodes for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons sensing Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-0768 2022 - 2024

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 NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/NCGHySe/

Abstract:

This project has the objective to develop electrochemical sensors for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), based on nano-crystalline graphite (NCG) films deposited via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on different insulating substrates. The design of these electrochemical sensors includes the growth of the NCG material in a 3D nanoarchitecture as graphite nanowalls (GNW) onto the substrates of choice, increasing the active surface area in order to enhance the sensitivity towards PAHs. Carbon-based electrodes have already been employed in applications as electrochemical sensors as they allow wider working potential windows and lower noise, compared to those of metal electrodes (e.g., Au, Pt). Using PECVD as the preparation method of the NCG films, we aim to obtain 3D doped nano-crystalline graphite films with excellent electrochemical performance for the detection of PAHs.

Nanocarbon-based resistive sensors for IoT applications – from material synthesis to versatile readout circuitry Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-4158 2022 - 2024

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); UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/caress

Abstract:

CARESS - is a multidisciplinary research project which aims to realize a versatile, low-cost sensing system employing resistive sensors The execution of the activities will bring together the expertise of researchers in the field of materials science, chemistry, physics, and microelectronics technology (IMT Bucharest) and the experts in the field of electronic devices and circuits, electrical measurements (Polytechnica University of Bucharest). The team comprise experienced researchers, post-doctoral researchers, as well as 2 PhD students. We aim to demonstrate how resistive sensors (with a well-established position on the sensor’s market) can be integrated into various applications (wearables, environmental monitoring) through a versatile, low-cost readout circuit, ready for integration in IoT applications. Its main objectives are a) realization of novel sensing materials, based on fluorinated nanocarbon materials (subject of two Romanian patent applications) and b) the design, realization and testing of a versatile readout circuit, ready for various applications (incl. IoT architectures). The process of obtaining fluorinated nanocarbon materials will be carried out in a RF plasma environment, following a well prepared “design of experiments” plan; these will be thoroughly characterized. Specific designs for the interdigitated transducers, including Wheatstone bridges, will be developed and realized on flexible substrates. The envisaged improved electronic architecture concept, based on the Wheatstone half-bridge monolithic sensing element is meant to sequentially acquire signal from multiple types of resistive sensor-structures. A microcontroller included in the electronic circuit architecture, will control the biasing of the bridge and the overall power consumption of the system. The integrated system – bridges, resistive sensor, readout circuit- will be thoroughly characterized and tested, employing dedicated instruments, available at the partners.

Towards portable nanoplastic detection’system by harnessing the plasmonic hot spots potential using advanced optical platforms’’ Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-1357 2022 - 2024

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:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/ToPortNano/results.php

Abstract:

The ToPortNano project aim to develop 3D multilayered hybrid architectures on silicon substrates, enabling ‘on site’ detection of nanoscale plastic particles. The resulted micro/nanotechnologies will allow the progress towards a handheld portable tool regularly used for food safety, health and environmental assesment. In this playground the project will contribute with: (i) implementation of cutting-edge numerical methods, such as the inverse design algorithm to obtain the optimized 3D architectures for Raman and IR providing the highest signal enhancement (there are only few reports concerning the use of genetic algorithms for optimization of SERS substrates, whereas no studies regarding SEIRS substrates); (ii) novel hybrid concept and eco-friendly fabrication solutions through nano-systems engineering for the optical sensing platform, to foster a synergetic effect of SERS/SEIRS enhancement. Besides putting together different types of low dimensional materials, to form nano-assemblies unexplored up to now, considering the huge role played in the ‘hot spot’ formation, a systematic study will be realized to carefully adjust their geometries, as well as the interfaces.

The previous list of original elements represents a step forward towards the development of cost-effective, eco-friendly, scalable and efficient 3D SERS and SEIRS platforms for on-site detection of nanoplastics, thus achieving an important advance for the project domain.

Innovative probe system for electrophysiological guidance in functional neurosurgery Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3775 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); TERMOBIT PROD SRL (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

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

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/brain-guide

Abstract:

The overall goal of the joint BRAIN-GUIDE project is to demonstrate and validate in laboratory - starting from TRL-2 level - a new generation of brain electrode probes that significantly enhance the functional capabilities of the probes that are currently used intraoperatively in the acute stage of the functional neurosurgery (DBS) protocol for accurate determination of the anatomical target. The acute probe system to be developed is designed to allow intraoperative wireless electrophysiological guidance through recording of bioelectrical activity from deep brain structures and selective electrical stimulation using a set of segmented macroelectrodes realized from conductive carbon.

In the context of the slow innovation pace related to the electrophysiological guidance probes our new “segmented carbon + wireless headstage” design brings several advantageous features for the DBS surgical procedure, enabling multichannel recording of high-quality local field potentials and more efficient and directionally selective stimulation, while avoiding the need for connection cables that clutter the surgical theatre, pick up motion artifacts and attenuate the signal. The proposed solution is cost-effective and relies on a pre-submitted patent application authored by members of two project partners (CO and P1).

The project leverages both the ideal complementary expertise and starting grounds, available in the consortium. Project coordination and electrode probe realization is ensured by the IMT Bucharest team (CO) specialized in R&D for functional materials and micro-nano technologies. The wireless headstage system will be developed by the Termobit Prod SRL team (P1), that has a proved expertise in electrophysiology and development of electrophysiological equipment. The project will benefit from the rich, specific, expertise of the UMF-CD team (P2) for optimal starting specifications and in-vivo evaluation of the planned prototype.

Multi-celled electrochemical STOrage DEvices Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-4146 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

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

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

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/mstode/

Abstract:

The project is aiming at the development of electrochemical storage devices, namely multi-celled supercapacitors (SCs), made of double porosified silicon (Si) 4 inch wafers conformally coated with graphene, enabling simultaneous energy management (i.e. storage and delivery) through integration of batteries and SCs to deliver a hybrid energy storage unit. The developed supercapacitor will be able to tackle energy density > 20 Wh·kg-1, and will push the available window potential towards 3.2 V combined with an enhanced life cycle ascribed to reduced formation of solid electrolyte interfaces (SEI) due to the graphene conformal coating.

6. Innovative approaches in the treatment and control of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Soluţii - 2020 - 1
PN-III-P2-2.1-SOL-2020-0061 2020 - 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); SPITALUL CLINIC DE BOLI INFECŢIOASE "SF. PARASCHEVA" IAŞI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "GRIGORE T. POPA" DIN IAŞI (RO); SPITALUL CLINIC DE PNEUMOFTIZIOLOGIE (RO); DDS DIAGNOSTIC S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/AITC-SARS-CoV-2/

Abstract:

The aim of the project is to develop and test an innovative and effective “lab-on-a-chip” microfluidic system with a role in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with moderate and severe forms. The project proposes the development of a "lab-on-a-chip" microfluidic device, "Point-of-care", for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from samples of nasopharyngeal exudate, cheap, mass-produced, which integrates both modern nanoplasmonic amplification methods as well as methods for detecting amplified material, capable of performing detections with increased sensitivity and specificity in a much shorter time compared to conventional diagnostic methods. We will test and evaluate two modern nanoplasmonic methods for viral RNA amplification: chip nanoplasmonic PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). In order to identify and quantify the amplified target molecules, the efficiency of an electrochemical and an impedimetric detection principle will be tested and evaluated. After evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of the amplification and detection methods, the final optimized device consisting of an amplification module and another molecular detection module will be performed. Thus, the innovative device developed will allow infection control in patients with different forms of severity and can be used to increase population testing capacity and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Romania.

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.

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