BrainMap

Petronela Gheorghe

Dr.

Researcher - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (19/02/2024)

Expertise & keywords

Generation of superhydrophobic surfaces by exposure of materials to laser beams Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0873 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://sh-mat.sol.inflpr.ro

Abstract:

Nanoscience and nanotechnology research is strongly encouraged and developed nowadays due to its positive impact on the development of new areas such as nano-biology, nano-electronics, nano-photonics and micro- and nano-fluidics.

Recently, superhydrophobic surfaces, for the which the water contact angle is higher than 150° and sliding angle less than 10°, have received attention due to the many potential applications ranging from biological to industrial processes.

Many living beings in nature, including the lotus leaf, rice leaf, butterflying wing and water-strider legs exhibit excellent superhydrophobicity. Such functionalized surfaces possess several unique beneficial properties, i.e. extreme water repellency, self-healing, self-cleaning, anti-bacteria, anti-corrosion, enhanced heat transfer, drag reduction and improved corrosion resistance.

The purpose and in the same time the novelty of the project is to design and realize an innovative, flexible and low cost system for producing of patterned superhydrophobic metallic surfaces. The main goal of this patterned superhydrophobic metallic surfaces is to obtain a fingerprint device to be used on polymeric materials such as: polydimethylsiloxane-PDMS; polyethylene terephthalate-PET, synthetic latex polymers. Some of its innovative applications are to create superhydrophobic surgical gloves, superhydrophobic metallic surfaces for naval industry and also superhydrophobic food packaging for preventing COVID-19 spreading!

Innovative DNA-based materials for optical limiting Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-1546 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://biol.nlop.inflpr.ro/

Abstract:

Due to the fast evolution of lasers with ultrashort pulses, much interest is currently being directed toward the development of the new nonlinear optical materials for passive optical limiters which are used to protect human eye and sensitive optical and opto-electronic devices from laser induced damage. The objective of this project is to experimentally investigate the optical limiting-OL functionality of a novel class of biomaterials, with controllable properties, based on DNA functionalized with natural/synthetic chromophores for applications in photonics. The criteria identified for an ideal material to act as an effective optical limiter are: large nonlinear effect, low limiting threshold, fast response time, high optical damage threshold, broadband response, low optical scattering and mechanical stability. In order to obtain the best OL properties of these materials we will perform a study for the investigation of their linear and nonlinear optical parameters. We expect that by functionalization with natural/synthetic chromophores will be obtained materials with improved properties for OL. Z-scan/I-scan investigations will explore the nonlinear optical properties and OL performances of these materials. The new knowledge generated in the project is important for basic research in Nonlinear Optics and has a strong potential in applied research, for new nonlinear optical materials and OL functionality. This project is original and represents a major scientific challenge.

DEOXIRIBONUCLEIC ACID BASED BIOLASER Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2220 2020 - 2022

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 FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://biolas.chimie.upb.ro/

Abstract:

Due to the increasing application of lasers in industry, medicine, military, etc there is a growing need for new laser sources with a good beam quality and variable emission wavelength. The main aim of this project is the obtaining of a DNA based material with optimal properties for laser emission and to realize a bio-lasing demonstrator by using it.

For lasing we will use the Rhodamine 610 (Rh610) luminophore embedded in DNA – CTMA matrix. Our preliminary researches showed that the DNA based materials could be used, with important benefits, for laser emission. Based on the experimental results obtained by our research team in previous studies it could be assessed that the technology readiness level(TRL)at the beginning of the project is TRL 2.

By a systematic study of the laser emission in the synthesized DNA-CTMA-Rh610 complexes the material with best lasing properties will be obtained. In order to do this, important lasing parameters, meaning emission wavelength, threshold and efficiency of the lasing process as well as different pump geometries, will be investigated. At the same time a comparison related to the optical and lasing properties of materials with and without DNA will be realized. On the other hand photodegradation parameters and damage threshold of synthesized materials will be determined.

During this project we will pass from conceptual phase to the experimental one by carrying out industrial research and experimental development activities for finding a DNA material with best lasing properties, in order to verify the functionality / feasibility of bio-lasing concept. This material will be used to realize a bio-lasing demonstrator. The optimized material and its lasing functionality will be validated in the laboratory conditions (TRL 4).

Smart responsive hybrid bioplatforms obtained by laser methods with tailored antibacterial and antitumor activity Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2695 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: https://laurentiurusen.wixsite.com/529ped

Abstract:

The project scope is to develop an experimental prototype of a new generation of responsive hybrid smart platforms engineered by laser method, with tailored antibacterial and antitumor dual activity, addressing the current needs for research studies and medical applications (e.g. controlled drug delivery, development of next-generation precision medications testing platform, tunable interfaces for basic cell research). The platform envisaged by this project consists in a pH and Temperature responsive copolymeric matrix (i.e. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butylacrylate (polyNIPAM-BA)) in which bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial peptides AMPs, Hydrophobines and Hydrophobines–AMPs conjugates) are embedded by the use of Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE). Based on the fact that tumor and bacteria cells exhibit more acidic medium and higher T compared to normal cells, this platform is designed for tumor and bacteria microenvironment-active /triggered drugs/bioactive compounds release. To achieve its goal, the project will follow 4 specific objectives:1-Designing the new smart hybrid platform based on innovative and complex hybrid coatings (i.e. pNIPAM-co-BA with/without single active bio-compound); 2. Developing the laboratory MAPLE technology for obtaining hybrid coating with enhanced sensitivity, antitumor and antibacterial potential by tailoring deposition parameters (laser, fluence, target system and composition) and by correlating it with the hybrid coating characteristics (thickness, porosity, composition: various ratio of pNIPAM-co-BA, Hydrophobines, AMPs).3. Optimizing the smart dual responsive engineered hybrid polymeric platforms with different compositions via laser methods and to demonstrate the bio-functionality using a tumor and bacteria microenvironment-active/triggered release of bioactive compounds; 4. To validate the efficacity of the hybrid platform at laboratory level (TRL 4) for various tumoral cells and bacterial lines.

Optical Limiter device Based on Innovative Graphene-Derived Materials Call name:
PNIII.Cooperarea Europeană și Internațională - Subprogram 3.2 - 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (); SITEX 45 SRL (); ABALONYX AS (); SINTEF AS ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD ()

Project website: https://www.inoe.ro/ro/proiecte.html

Abstract:

Lasers are currently indispensable for many military and civil applications and there is a considerable need for a material to be included into a device for laser damage prevention of optoelectronic devices and for people protection. The overall objectives of this project are: (1) to validate a laboratory scale technology for synthesis of an innovative class of graphene based nonlinear optical materials in visible and infrared domains; (2) to build a device that incorporate the synthesized materials. A composite material graphene oxide (GO)silicophosphate (SP) as bulk/films and GO/rGO (reduced GO) films, prepared by solgel, will be investigated. These materials have the role to lower their optical transmittance when incident laser beam intensities are increasing above a threshold value, ensuring a constant intensity of the transmitted laser beam and preventing thus the damages to human eye and different optical sensors. Z-scan investigations will explore the nonlinear optical properties and optical limiting performances of these materials all along with the technological chain and will allow the selection of the best performing material to be used in the final prototype device.

Optical Limiter Device Based on Innovative Graphene-Derived Materials Call name: P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET - COFUND
COFUND-MANUNET III-OLIDIGRAPH 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD

Project partners: 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); SITEX 45 SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: https://olidigraph.inoe.ro

Abstract:

Nanostructured azo-polymer films used as supports for cell cultures Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0508 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.cercetare.icpm.tuiasi.ro/proiecte/azonanosurf/

Abstract:

The subject of the present proposal has a strong interdisciplinary character, being situated at the interface between chemistry, physics and biology. The main research direction will be focused on the interactions between the surface relief profile of the cells substrate and the cells response (cell fate) to the mechanical signals induced by the substrate. In the last period more and more biological studies were dedicated to this problem, especially in the case of stem cells, taking into consideration the possibility of cells differentiation using only mechanical signals. In the tissue engineering this type of interactions between the substrate and the cells will be decisive for the fabrication of smart biomaterials. Ideal candidates for new types of cells’ supports are the azo-polymers, because in their case one can change the film surface configuration, elasticity, or other mechanical parameters using only the light as external stimulus. All the other external stimuli usually used for the modification of the mechanical properties of a material (pH, temperature, salts concentration etc.) will affect the cell function making difficult to understand the cells’ response. In the case of azo-polymers, using a polarized laser source one can generate surface relief gratings on the film surface. The geometrical parameters of the gratings (amplitude and periodicity) can be very well controlled through laser operational conditions. Different chemical structure of the azo-groups will be synthesized in order to evaluate the cells adhesion capacity and the cells fate, as a function of the relief characteristics. More of than the surface relief type (grating or islands) can be changed in contact with water, creating so-called dynamic surfaces.

Bio-nanophotonics based on DNA supramolecular structures for all-optical integrated functionalities Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0316 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://bionanophoto.chfiz.pub.ro

Abstract:

The project addresses the important issue the humanity is facing this century in the development of information society which will require the almost unlimited capacity for the broadband photonic transmission systems and improvements in the optical switching elements which allow to manipulate the optical signals (routing, modulation, multiplexing, demultiplexing, etc). These elements are at the heart of the photonic networks. Most of the currently used photonic materials will need to be replaced by ecologically friendly, biodegradable materials coming from renewable sources. Therefore, we propose to develop new highly light responsive, environment friendly, biodegradable and renewable functionalized materials based on the most important and abundant in nature biopolymer which is the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). For the targeted all optical spatial light modulation the light induced refractive index variation by the change of molecule conformation will be explored. This change of conformation, addressed locally on a very short segment (under 1 nm) of active molecules is expected to lead to a large refractive index variation with a fast response time, facilitated by the double strand helical structure of DNA. The used biopolymer will be sourced from biological waste. The consortium will perform original and relevant chemical synthesis work as well as full characterization of linear and nonlinear optical properties, including time resolved experiments. Highly light responsive chromophores will be used to bring targeted functions to the biomaterial. Technologies for obtaining stable, functional DNA based materials for application in photonics, as active and passive elements will be established. Functionalized biopolymers will be also used for coherent light emission. Basing on this research an all optical spatial light modulator will be realized.

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