BrainMap

Mrs. Roxana Marcela Racoviceanu

PhD

Lecturer - UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE " VICTOR BABEŞ " TIMISOARA

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Web of Science ResearcherID: 46461019000

Expertise & keywords

Advanced materials based on combustion-synthesized magnetic iron oxides nanoparticles and their cytotoxicity designed for cancer treatment Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0765 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO)

Project website: http://www.upt.ro/Informatii_UPT_904_ro.html

Abstract:

The increasingly higher incidence of the cancer cases in conjunction with the modest or rather unsatisfying results of the conventional treatments represent a solid argument for searching alternative solutions in controlling this disease.

Based on their remarkable properties, biomedical applications of iron oxides are by far the most interesting and take a special place in scientists’ concerns. Therefore, they are used in cancer treatment by magnetically-induced hyperthermia, drug delivery, magnetic separation and cellular selection, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.

The main original element of this funding application relies on the preparation of magnetic iron oxides nanoparticles via solution combustion synthesis and monitoring the influence of several working parameters: fuel type (EDTA, citric acid, glucose), oxidant/fuel molar ratio (fuel-rich compositions), ignition procedure (heating mantle, microwave field), working atmosphere (in air/no air), carbon and organic residues presence.

The as-prepared magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles will be coated with different surfactants (oleic acid, SiO2, PEG, Tween 80) and dispersed in PBS, in order to obtain stable colloidal suspensions. These will be used to assess the toxicological profile/biological activity of the iron oxide colloidal suspensions on normal/tumour liver and kidney cell lines.

The main goal of this project is to establish a correlation between synthesis conditions, properties of the naked/coated iron oxides nanoparticles and their selective cytotoxicity for cancer therapy. This would be the first time when such advanced materials are tested for cytotoxicity on normal/tumour liver and kidney cell lines. This opens an entirely new perspective on the potential use of combustion-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles in cancer therapy by selective cytotoxicity.

Combustion synthesis of smart near-infrared reflective nanopigments for heat reflective (cool) coatings Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1587 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.upt.ro/Informatii_UPT_594_ro.html

Abstract:

Under the action of solar radiation, of which 54 % is represented by the Near Infrared (NIR) thermal radiation, the roof and facade temperature increases excessively causing less thermal comfort and a massive increase in the electricity needed for air conditioning cooling. An efficient approach for overcoming the negative effect of excessive heating due to solar radiation is the use of smart thermo-reflecting inorganic pigments, which selectively absorb the radiation in the visible range generating the desired color and at the same time reflect the NIR radiation responsible for overheating. In order to decrease the high pigment cost caused by the manufacturing process, which is time and energy consuming, this project suggests for the first time the preparation of some smart NIR reflective nanopigments using an eco-friendly, faster and energy efficient synthesis method known as combustion synthesis. In this new approach, ZnAl2O4 and LaAlO3 doped with transition metal ions nanopigments with a broad color range (white, green, blue, brown, black) answering the market demands are obtained in a matter of seconds directly from the exothermic combustion reaction, without any annealing stage – which allows significant cuts in the production costs. The key properties of these smart NIR reflective pigments (color, thermo-reflectivity, particle size) are assessed in various cool paint and coating recipes, suitable for concrete, ceramic and metallic roofs.

Innovative solutions in the field of large surface area ceramic nanopowder preparation via combustion synthesis Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0024 2011 - 2014

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Universitatea Politehnica din Timisoara

Project partners: Universitatea Politehnica din Timisoara (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.upt.ro/pfe10.php

Abstract:

Preparation of ceramic powders with controlled properties under more advantageous conditions is a real challenge for the field of ceramics. One of the recently developed synthesis methods is the solution combustion synthesis, which in some cases yields the designed crystalline compounds directly from the combustion reaction, no further annealing being necessary. However, the literature data rapports that in the case of BaAl2O4, Al2TiO5, ZnAl2O4, LaAlO3 or YAlO3, which have very important applications, the initial version of the combustion method does not lead to satisfying results. Often, the reaction products are amorphous and/or contain residual carbon. Therefore, the formation of the desired phase may be achieved only after a subsequent annealing, which leads to grain growth and low surface area powder. In this context, this project suggests several innovative solutions which will optimize the combustion method, thus allowing the preparation of nanocrystalline compounds of practical interest, with large surface area. These solutions are: the use of new organic fuels; the use of fuel mixtures; the removal of residual carbon by hydrogen peroxide chemical oxidation; the use of passive retarding salt additions; the use of metal nitrate/fuel molar ratios with fuel excess. Given the novelty of the suggested solutions, one may expect the project will have a high impact and will lead to remarkable scientific and economical results in terms of sustainable development.

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