BioYDetect

 
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Project title: Increasing the biodetection capacity by using innovative yttrium-based nanomaterials with tunable optical properties
Acronim: BioYDetect
Programme/ Project type: PNCDI IV - Program 5.2. Human Resources, Subprogram 5.2.1.Start in Research Research projects to stimulate young independent teams (TE 2023)
Contract no. 30TE⁄ 2025 (ID PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-0417)
Project Duration: 08/01/2025 - 31/12/2026
Project Budget: 500.000 lei
Contractor: National Institute of Research and Development in Microtechnologies – IMT Bucharest (www.imt.ro)
Contracting Authority: Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding – UEFISCDI (www.uefiscdi.gov.ro)

Project manager: Dr. Vasilica ȚUCUREANU (vasilica.tucureanu@imt.ro)


Abstract:


The BioYDetect project involves the development of nanotechnologies for a new generation of yttrium-based materials, demonstrating their viability in making fluorescent markers and biosensors. For the implementation of the project, we propose (i) the synthesis of nanostructured fluorescent materials from the yttrium family, the improvement of the emissive properties by (co)doping with ions of transition metals, and the modification of the surface for the development of fluorescent markers, and (ii) the compatibility with carbon materials to obtain of nanocomposites and deposition on the substrate to development of sensitive materials for integration into biosensors. The characterization of the newly synthesized nanomaterials and the demonstration of their applicability in fluorescent markers and biosensors fields will be carried out.


Team:


The BioYDetect team members have scientific expertise in the field of materials engineering, chemistry, and physics, they are responsible for the operation of the synthesis and characterization equipments necessary for the implementation of the project, as follows:
  • Vasilica Țucureanu, Project Leader, PhD in Material Engineering since in 2019. Expertise in: Oxides NPs, metallic NPs and NCs synthesis, surface functionalization, nanomaterials deposition on substrate, thermal processes, FTIR, Raman, electrochemistry and goniometric measurements.
  • Alina Matei, PhD in Material Engineering since in 2016. Expertise in: oxide NPs and NCs synthesis, surface modification, compatibility of NCs with substrates, thermal processes, goniometric measurements;
  • Alexandru-Cosmin Obreja, PhD in Chemical Engineering since in 2016. Brainmap ID: U-1700-039Y-7779. Expertise in: synthesis and characterization of carbon-based nanomaterials (graphene, carbon dots and carbon-based NC), resins for coating applications;
  • Cosmin Romanițan, PhD in Physics since in 2019. Expertise in: Identification of material phases, crystallite size and stress, dislocation density through XRD.
  • Iuliana Mihalache, PhD in Physics since in 2015. Expertise in: Investigation of optical and electrical properties of nanomaterials and heterostructures for optical, electrochemical, photocatalytic applications.
  • Marius Stoian, PhD Student in Chemistry, Expertise in: synthesis of carbon-based materials, semiconductors and metal oxides, used for electrochemical sensors development, and their characterization by XRD, FTIR and electrochemical techniques.
  • Oana Brîncoveanu, PhD in Physics since in 2018. Expertise in: High-resolution SEM imaging and EDX analysis of various materials, devices and structures.
  • Octavian Simionescu, PhD in Physics since in 2023. Expertise in: Micro/ nanofabrication, RF oxide deposition, PECVD synthesis of carbon materials.

Objectives:


The scope of the project: BioYDetect project is to establish and consolidate an independent and competitive team, through the accumulation of scientific, technological, applicative, and administrative knowledge and experience as a result of the introduction in the flow of interdisciplinary research from Romania, of some categories of nanostructured fluorescent materials from the yttrium family, activated with transition metals ions, with the modified surfaces for the development of fluorescent markers and compatible with carbon materials for the development of nanocomposites in order to integrate as sensitive materials for biosensors.

Ob.1: Synthesis of yttrium-based fluorescent markers with improved optical properties;
Ob.2: Development of yttrium-based nanocomposites and their compatibility with the substrate in order to integrate them into applications for biodetection;
Ob.3: Characterization of the developed nanomaterials and demonstration of their applicability in the field of fluorescent markers and biosensors;
Ob.4: The sustainability of the project by dissemination activities and presentation of results through scientific articles, patent requests, and the web page.


Results:


  • Synthesis and characterization of yttrium-based fluorescent markers;
  • Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites and their compatibility with the substrate in order to integrate them into applications for biodetection;

Dissemination:


  • Papers published in ISI-WoS indexed journals
  1. Alina Matei, Cosmin Obreja, Cosmin Romanițan, Oana Brîncoveanu, Marius Stoian, Vasilica Țucureanu, „Synergistic Effect of In2O3-rGO Hybrid Composites for Electrochemical Applications” Coatings 2025, 15, 958, WOS:001557342500001, Q2 (2025) https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080958
  2. Alina Matei, Oana Brîncoveanu, Vasilica Țucureanu, „Facile Approach for Fabrication of Hydrophobic Aluminum Alloy Surfaces Using Fatty Acids” Metals, 2025, 15, 884, WOS:001536817600001, Q2 (2025) https://doi.org/10.3390/met15080884 
  • Papers published in BDI indexed journals
  1. Vasilica Țucureanu, Oana Brîncoveanu, Cosmin Romanițan, Iuliana Mihalache, Alina Matei, „Effect of process parameters on the properties of yttrium oxide ceramics”, Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics, Vol. LXVII, 2025, pp. 59-71, (2025), doi:10.2478/awutp-2025-0005  
    https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/awutp-2025-0005
  2. Alina Matei, Oana Brîncoveanu, Cosmin Romaniţan, Cristina Pachiu, Vasilica Ţucureanu „The effect of sintering temperature on yttrium oxide nanoparticles using rapid thermal annealing”, Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics, Vol. LXVII, 2025, pp. 46-58, (2025), doi:10.2478/awutp-2025-0004
    https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/awutp-2025-0004  
  • Papers presented at conferences with international participation
  1. Vasilica Țucureanu, Cosmin Alexandru Obreja, Oana Brîncoveanu, Cristina Pachiu, Cosmin Romanițan, Marius Stoian, Alina Matei „Development and investigation of hybrid structures based on RGO–Y₂O₃ with electrochemical potential”, 8th International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Materials Engineering, Sections: 2. Critical Materials, Book of Abstract, pp. 131 (2025), https://imnr.ro/wp/conferinta-internationala-emergemat-editia-a-8-a/
  2. Alina Matei, Oana Brincoveanu, Cosmin Romanitan, Cristina Pachiu, Vasilica Tucureanu „Eco-friendly synthesis and optimized thermal treatment of Y2O3 nanoparticles”, 8th International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Materials Engineering, Sections: 2. Critical Materials, Book of Abstract, pp. 116 (2025), https://imnr.ro/wp/conferinta-internationala-emergemat-editia-a-8-a/
  3. Alina Matei, Oana Brincoveanu, Cosmin Romanitan, Vasilica Tucureanu „Synthesis and characterization of ZnO-TiO2 binary nanomaterials for the development of electrochemical sensors” The 5th International Online Conference on Nanomaterials, Session 6. Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Nanomaterials, Abstract Book, pp.261 (2025), https://sciforum.net/paper/view/24025
  4. Vasilica Țucureanu, Cosmin Romanițan, Oana Brîncoveanu, Iuliana Mihalache, Alina Matei „Structural, morphological and emissive properties of rare earth doped Y2O3 synthesized by hydrothermal method” The 5th International Online Conference on Nanomaterials, Session 6. Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Nanomaterials, Abstract Book, pp.257, (2025)https://sciforum.net/paper/view/24023
  5. Vasilica Țucureanu, Oana Brâncoveanu, Cosmin Romanițan, Iuliana Mihalache, Alina Matei, „Effect of process parameters on the properties of yttrium oxide ceramics”, TIM 25 Physics Conference, Topic: Condensed Matter Physics, CMP-P01, Abstract Booklet, pp. 46, (2025), https://timconference.uvt.ro/abstract_submission
  6. Alina Matei, Oana Brîncoveanu, Cosmin Romaniţan, Cristina Pachiu, Vasilica Ţucureanu „The effect of sintering temperature on yttrium oxide nanoparticles using rapid thermal annealing”, TIM 25 Physics Conference, Topic: Condensed Matter Physics, CMP-P02, Abstract Booklet, pp. 47-48, (2025), https://timconference.uvt.ro/abstract_submission
  7. Vasilica Țucureanu, Octavian-Gabriel Simionescu, Marius Stoian, Gabriel Craciun, Alina Matei ”Surface preparation of carbonaceous films to increase wettability and integration with nanoparticles for electrochemical applications”, in Proceedings of the 4th Coatings and Interfaces Online Conference, S5. Novel Methods/Techniques for Coating Deposition and Characterization, Abstract Book, pp. 101(2025),  https://sciforum.net/paper/view/22525
  8. Alina Matei, Cosmin Romanițan, Oana Brîncoveanu, Marius Stoian, Octavian-Gabriel Simionescu, Vasilica Țucureanu, “Hybrid nanostructures of transition metal oxides on vertical graphene for enhanced electrochemical performance”, in Proceedings of the 4th Coatings and Interfaces Online Conference, Section: S3. Coatings and Thin Film Deposition, Abstract Book, pp. 47 (2025),  https://sciforum.net/paper/view/22556
  9. Vasilica Țucureanu, Octavian-Gabriel Simionescu, Gabriel Craciun, Alina Matei „Advanced chemical processes in the development of microelectrodes for electrochemical sensors” , The 5th International Electronic Conference on Biosensors, Section E: Nanomaterials and Smart Surfaces in Biosensors,  Abstract Book, pp. 64 (2025), https://sciforum.net/paper/view/22389
  10. Alina Matei, Oana Brincoveanu, Cosmin Romanitan, Vasilica Tucureanu „Binary transition metal oxide nanostructures and their potential biosensor applications”, The 5th International Electronic Conference on Biosensors session Nanomaterials and Smart Surfaces in Biosensors,  Section E: Nanomaterials and Smart Surfaces in Biosensors, Abstract Book, pp. 78 (2025), https://sciforum.net/paper/view/22391
  11. V. Țucureanu, O. Brîncoveanu, I. Mihalache, C. Romanițan, A. Matei, „Design of yttrium-based phosphorus properties by comparative approaches using hydrothermal and precipitation methods”, 6th International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Advanced Materials, ROPM&AM, Book of Abstracts, P12, pp. 85 (2025), https://ropmam.utcluj.ro/
  12. A. Matei, O. Brîncoveanu, C. Romanițan, V. Țucureanu „Comparative study on the effect of annealing temperature on Y2O3 nanoparticles”, 6th International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Advanced Materials, ROPM&AM, Topics: Nanomaterials & Nanotechnologies, Book of Abstracts, P13, pp. 86 (2025), https://ropmam.utcluj.ro/

 

Contact


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