Objectives of Stage 2/2023

The main objective of the second stage in 2023 consisted in the initiation of design, development and characterization activities of the flexible multi-sensor patch. To achieve this objective, the following activities were pursued:

• - Design and development of opto-electrochemical (bio)sensors;
• - Opto-electrochemical characterization of developed (bio)sensors
• - Design, development and characterization of flexible multi-sensor configuration for electrochemical detection of multiple analytes
• The design and realization of the microfluidic membrane adapted to the flexible multi-sensor patch;
• - Development, characterization and optimization of multi-sensitive wearable patch (activity started in 2023)
• Dissemination and communication of results; Working visits to partners.

Results of Stage 2/2023

Electrochemical biosensors based on composite nanomaterial with Fullerenol, Prussian blue and hydrogel for lactate and glucose detection characterized;
Opto-electrochemical characterization of the realized biosensors;
Sensors based on molecularly impregnated polymers (MIP) for cortisol detection;
Multi-sensitive (Bio)sensor for the electrochemical detection of lactate, glucose and cortisol – experimental model;
Flexible multi-sensor configuration – designed and characterized;
Microfluidic membrane adapted to the multi-sensitive sensor;
Dissemination of results – 2 ISI rated articles were published, 1 workshop was organized, the results were presented at three international conferences in the form of 2 posters and 2 oral presentations (PRIOCHEM special prize);
Participation in a salon international of invention, from Toronto, Canada – Gold Medal;
A working meeting was held at the Turkish partner, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya; A working meeting was held with the Romanian partner ChimGrup SRL;
The scientific and technical report was drawn up.

Publications and Conferences

1. Ianchis R., Alexa R.L., Gifu I.C., Marin M.M., Alexandrescu E., Constantinescu R.; Serafim, A.; Nistor C.L.; Petcu C. Novel Green Crosslinked Salecan Hydrogels and Preliminary Investigation of Their Use in 3D Printing, Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 373 – https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020373
2. Marin, M.M.; Albu Kaya, M.; Kaya, D.A.; Constantinescu, R.; Trica, B.; Gifu, I.C.; Alexandrescu, E.; Nistor, C.L.; Alexa, R.L.; Ianchis, R. Novel Nanocomposite Hydrogels Based on Crosslinked Microbial Polysaccharide as Potential Bioactive Wound Dressings. Materials 2023, 16, 982 – https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16030982
3. The 4th Young Researchers’ International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (YRICCCE IV) 1-3 June 2023, Debrecen, Hungary – Prospective studies on the development of nanocomposite based electrochemical sensors for the detection of clinically relevant molecules – L-G Zamfir, R Ianchis, P Epure, M-L Jinga, I Răut, C Firincă, N Radu, M Constantin, L Jecu, M Doni1, A-M Gurban – poster
4. The 19th International Symposium “Priorities of Chemistry for a Sustainable Development” PRIOCHEM, 11-13 octombrie 2023 – Development of nanocomposite based electrochemical biosensors for the monitoring of clinically relevant analytes, Zamfir L-G, Ianchiș R., Epure P, Mitrea M, Petcu C, Jinga Ml, Răut I, Firincă C, Constantin M, Jecu Ml, Doni M, Gurban A-M – poster;
5. The 19th International Symposium “Priorities of Chemistry for a Sustainable Development” PRIOCHEM, 11-13 octombrie 2023 – Design and development of MIP based electrochemical sensor for cortisol detection, Jinga M-L, Zamfir L-G, Epure P., Preda D, Constantin M, Răut I, Jecu Ml, Doni M, David I.G., Gurban A-M. – comunicare orală (premiul Priochem)
6. 20th International Conference on Remote Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation (REV2023), 01-03 martie 2023, Porto Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece – Lactate Optical Detection Setup Used For Preventive Care- Pepure P., Mitrea M., Gurban A-M. – comunicare orală;

Workshop – Portable Miniaturized Opto-Electrochemical Systems for In-Field Measurements

On October 11, 2023, at the headquarters of the ICECHIM contractor, the workshop titled Portable Miniaturized Opto-Electrochemical Systems for In-Field Measurements was organized, in hybrid format, moderated by Mrs. Ana-Maria Gurban, mEraNet318 project director. This workshop was attended by representatives of SMEs, as well as members of the academic and research environment, scientific researchers and teachers, from the country and abroad. Constructive discussions were initiated and existing collaborative relationships were strengthened by participating in this workshop. The members of the SMEs, Mr. Mihai Mitrea, Mr. Gaudentiu Vărzaru and Petru Epure presented activities in the field of development and use of portable control and monitoring devices for environment and health and safety.

Working visits of partners

Between 05-08 November 2023, the working group from the coordinator of this project, ICECHIM, was on a working visit to Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya, Turkey, a partner in this project. During this visit, experimental determinations were made with the functionalized nanomaterial, fullerenol, synthesized by the Turkish partner. On this occasion, Mrs. Dr. Ana-Maria Gurban, the project director gave a presentation entitled Biotechnological and biosensing approaches for the development of innovative solutions with applications in agriculture, food and environmental fields. On this occasion, the details regarding the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Necmettin Erbakan University and the INCDCP-ICECHIM national institute were finalized. Discussions were also held between the Turkish person in charge of this project, Ms. Prof. Assoc Dr. Saniye Soylemez and Ms. Dr. Gurban with a view to participating in other international project competitions.

In the months of February, April, July, August and October 2023, the Chimgrup SRL partner participated in the project meetings at the ICECHIM headquarters in order to harmonize the activities within the project in order to create a coordinated work plan between the 2 entities. Different configurations of the flexible multiplex support were tested, reagents, materials and sensors were exchanged for testing and specific working protocols were established.