Ileana CERNICAProject manager

Head of AMBIENTAL TECHNOLOGIES R&D LABORATORYIMT‐Bucharest

Project ID: 384Type of Project: CDI

Contract no.: 76 /29.11.2013Period: 29.11.2013 – 29.02.2016 (27 months)

SAFEAIR

Programme for Research‐Development‐Innovation for Space Technology and Advanced Research ‐ STAR

Romanian Space Week , 12‐16 May 2014, Bucharest, Romania

Coordinating organization: National R&D Institute for Microtechnology, IMT-Bucharest www.imt.ro

Status: organization of public interest, autonomous, coordinated by the, Ministry of Education(Romania)

History: founded in 1993 as Institute of Microtechnology, since 1996 – national institute.

Mission: scientific research and technological development in micro‐nano‐bio‐ info technologies.

Other activities: technological transfer, education and training, dissemination, development of the national

strategy in the field.

Strategic role: a “technological pole” for multidisciplinary activities, integrating research, education and technology transfer, playing a national role through networking and partnership (with “Politehnica” University of Bucharest), emerging as a regional centre.

Project manager (name and contact address): dr.ing. Ileana CERNICA, CS1,ileana.cernica@imt.ro 

Partner 1: Institute of Chemistry Timisoara, Romanian Academy, ICTThe roots of the Institute of Chemistry Timisoara of the Romanian Academy are bound with the formation of some research groups which developed the 

basic nucleus of the Chemistry Department of the Romanian Academy – Timisoara Branch in 1958, which further became an independent institute, namely Centre of Chemistry Timisoara (CCT). The Institute of Chemistry of the Romanian Academy is nowadays organized in three sections: Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Computational Chemistry.

Research Directions: Fundamental research in chemistry is the main activity but the scientific research has ranging to concrete forms of applied research: sensors, photovoltaic cells, corrosion inhibition, non invasive cancer treatments (PDT), antimicrobial and antifungal treatments, modified electrodes for electrocatalysis and biochemistry, electronic devices, energy efficient storage batteries, nanocomposite systems exhibiting magnetic properties, molecular design assisted by computer.

Team leader P1:Dr. Eugenia Lenuta M. Fagadar‐Cosma is Senior Researcher I, Head of Organic Chemistry Department at

Institute of Chemistry Timisoara of Romanian Academy and PhD supervisor in Chemistry., efagadar@yahoo.com

Partner 2 European Business Inovation and Research Centre SA, EBIC (www.ebic.ro) 

is an SME with the R&D activity, in addition to main business activities in Aeronautics Space Engineering the role in consortium is the Project Coordination and Principal designer EBIC is resident in MINATECH‐RO Technologic Park‐ Baneasa, Romania that is a Nano‐Technology Transfer Center created by the IMT‐Bucharest with support from ANCS. EUROPEAN BUSINESS INNOVATION & RESEARCH CENTER S.A. is a SME private business research

Team leader P2:Simion Dascalu is General Director/owner of EBIC, with 15 years experience in research and 25 years experience in aviation industry, simiondascalu@gmail.ro 

The general strategic objective of the project SAFEAIR is to participate to the fundamental formation of the space culture and the punctual strategic objective is to increase the research capability and the technological expertise of the consortium members in the field of sensors for space missions,microtechnologies (colorimetric gas sensors) and nanostructured materials (porphyrins). From these strategic objectives, the main goal of the project SAFEAIR is derived: to achieve a colorimetric microsensors matrix, assembled in multichip module technologies for air quality control in space missions habitable areas (space stations and long distance spatial missions). The interdisciplinary character of the project is obvious: specialists in microsensors, in chemistry,in space, even specialiats in psihology (in order to predict people comportment in close spaces)The efforts made for create a healthy atmosphere in space habitation areas are huge and were a success. But in the International Space Station and the stations before it (including MIR, SKYLAB) have all been afflicted with poor air-quality conditions. Air quality is an important problem for any space-based activity and can affect not only the health of the astronauts, but also their phyhological status. The problem will be greater in future very long distances and long flight space missions. Is not understanded a fatal danger problem, but is a problem of poor health and low performance (and, in space, the number of humans are limited and is impossible to replace).

So, we intend to obtain a matrix made from colorimetric microsensors for a friendly detection of the air quality (i.e. detection of CO, NOx and high level of CO2 and low level of O2) easy to be operated, freehands and detachable where the space habitants are. The important technological challenge will be the CO2 detection (now there are only 2-3 research teams that can detect CO2 using colorimetric microsensors) and for it we come with a new innovative technological solution based on a microfluidic device.

The project has a total value of 922.500 lei, it is scheduled for 27 months and will be achieved by a consortium formed by three partners: National Institute for R&D in Microtechnologies - IMT-Bucharest,which is the coordinator, Institute of Chemistry from Timisoara of the Romanian Academy and SME EBIC with competence in aero-space industry and research activities.

The consortium was built based on the complementarity of the members, including the necessary infrastructure, but also because the partners were partners in other projects and develop a special empathy in which we believe

The work plan contains five phases, namely:(i) Study and documentation about air pollution in space missions habitable areas, colorimetricmicrosensors for gases detection and about porphyrin sensitive substances for detection of gases (2 months);

(ii) Simulation and technological experiments on obtaining the devices (including microfluidic device), and for synthesis of specific porphyrins (sensitive material); Experiments of individual technological processes for microsensors and about sensitive substances for detecting the target gases (7 months);

(iii) Technological designing and development of characterization techniques for the materials and thefunctional model; Obtaining the functional model of microsensor structures (7 months);

(iv) Technological development, assembling and testing the microsensor; Obtaining the functional model of the assembled microsensor; Technological optimization (6 months);

(v) Achieving the area of microsensors; Demonstrating the functionality; Technological documentationin concordance with ESA requirements (5 months)

Each phase can be described through the phase objectives as follows:Phase 1 is dedicated to studies and informing about the project domain, the existing technological solutions and the technological solutions of the participant entities.The objectives are:• Study about air pollution microsensors (focused on CO, NOx detection and CO2, O2 sensing and alert levels) - design techniques, technologies, testing and characterization techniques, hybrid assembling techniques, schemes and techniques for analysis the detecting signal – state of the art.• Study of possibilities for obtaining functionalized porphyrin derivatives and porphyrin based hybrid nanomaterials used as adsorbents and on the design of porphyrin-based air pollution selective sensors.• Study of detection by using microfluidic techniques.• Study of air pollution in space habitable spaces on International Space Station and long distance missions. Space mission habitability areas assessment based on space flight mission experiencePhase 2 is focused on device simulation; design the lay-out-s for microsensors and technological experiments for individual technological processes in order to advance preliminary technological flows. The objectives of the phase are:• Design of the lay-out for microsensorrs• Selection of the substrates materials and simulation (thermal and mechanical tests behaviours)Establishing the usage domains• Technological experiments of individual technological processes in order to obtain microdevices• Simulation of the device (behaviour at temperature and mechanical stress, interaction with sensitive substances)• Study of auto assembling and self-organizing of porphyrin structures in air, solution, thin films and hybrids. Langmuir-Blodgett deposition of thin films with porphyrins and metalloporphyrins for the selective resistive detection of gases.• Simulation and technological experiments for achieving the microfluidic device

Phase 3 is focused on characterization methodology and in manufacturing the microsensorstructure (Functional model of microstructure) and first comparative characterization on a bench test. In detail:• Manufacturing the sets of working masks for microsensor and the microfluidic frame.• Preliminary technological flows for microsensor achievement.• Synthesis of symmetrical mono-substituted porphyrins , symmetrical di-substituted porphyrins withmethoxy-, phenoxy- and hydroxy- functional groups and of their corresponding metallocomplexes• Characterization and sensitivity tests for porphyrin derivatives• Obtaining FM structures of microsensors.• Electrical characterization of microsensors.• Integration of microsensor structure with the sensitive porphyrins.• Manufacturing the microfluidic device and its integration with porphyrins.• Compatibilizing the porphyrins layers with the technological substrate• Comparative sensor banch test in laboratory simulated environmentPhase 4 is dedicated to improving technology for structures and assembling the microsensors with the sensitive films in active areas. In detail:• Functional testing of the structure.• Elaborating the technological flows for the structure.• Technological experiments for assembling, including MCM hybrid.• Obtaining of the mesoporous silica hybrid with controlled incorporation of porphyrin as an organic moiety in mesoporous silica by sol-gel procedures. Characterization of obtained hybrid nanomaterials• Achieving the FM of assemblied microsensor.• Achieving the methodology and the functional and parametric testing flows of the microsensors.• Integration of the sensitive layer of porphyrins. Integrating the microfluidic system.• Technological optimization of the microsensor structure - selecting the optimal technological variant and layout. Specific space environment protection and reliability components technology integration

The last phase, Phase 5 is dedicated to the manufacturing of final sensors array and the associated electronics, functionality demonstration in laboratory conditions and redaction of manufacturing technical documentation. In detail:• Implementing the electronic scheme.• FM of microsensor system (matrix).• Testing of porphyrin/SiO2 hybrid materials as adsorbents of CO2 and O2.• Demonstration of functionality.• Elaborating the technological documentation (technological flows, testing technologies, procedures and receipts for FM)• ESA quality standards and ESA specific validation requirements compliance for space equipment forspecific application of the project.

We start from TRL 2(Technology concept and/or application formulated) and we plan to reach TLR 4 (component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment) but with a functionality demonstration in an aircraft cockpit.

We will obtain a functional laboratory demonstrator of microsensor area for monitoring the air quality in human space habitable areas using new technological developments.

The demonstrator can be use in extended for use in other applications on earth – on submarines,

mining industry, underground trains, surgeries and nursery incubators.

In all phases there exists as we called Management activities consisting in fact in dissemination activity like:e-bulletin, web page for the project, ISI article publication, patent requirements.

Implementation status of the projectPhase 1 was dedicated to studies and informing about the project domain, the existing technological solutions and the technological solutions of the participant entities.The objectives were:• Study about air pollution microsensors (focused on CO, NOx detection and CO2, O2 sensing and alert levels) - design techniques, technologies, testing and characterization techniques, hybrid assembling techniques, schemes and techniques for analysis the detecting signal – state of the art.• Study of possibilities for obtaining functionalized porphyrin derivatives and porphyrin based hybrid nanomaterials used as adsorbents and on the design of porphyrin-based air pollution selective sensors.• Study of detection by using microfluidic techniques.• Study of air pollution in space habitable spaces on International Space Station and long distance missions. Space mission habitability areas assessment based on space flight mission experienceNow we work at Phase 2

PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTS FOR CO2 SENSORS BASED ON PORPHYRINS (1)

In order to select the best materials based on metalloporphyrins to develop colorimetric microsensorsfor detection of high level of CO2 in space habitation areas, we have focused on three main actions:•Selection of an optical/colorimetric responsive metalloporphyrin•The study of the surface phenomena produced in gas absorption•The improving of the response by using complex host–guest molecules or by using additives (indicators or silver colloids)A novel structure of Fe(III)-metalloporphyrin symmetrically substituted, namely Fe (III)-5,10,15,20-tetra(3,4-di-methoxi-phenyl)-porphyrin (FeTDMeOPP) was sensitive to gas adding by increasing the Soret band intensity in agreement with a linear dependence, but also by changing the color from green to red (Figure 1). Adding of small amounts of silver colloids to this system significantly increased the sensitivity.

PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTS FOR CO2 SENSORS BASED ON PORPHYRINS (2)

This work represent our first approach to select the best porphyrinic derivatives for obtaining a matrix made from colorimetric microsensors for a friendly detection of the air quality (i.e. detection of CO, NOxand high level of CO2 and low level of O2) easy to be operated, free hands and detachable for monitoring a healthy atmosphere in space habitation areas. One of the most important technological challenges will be the CO2 detection (state of the art studies show that only few research teams can detect CO2 using colorimetric microsensors) and for it, we will come with a new innovative technological solution based on a microfluidic device. The design, synthesis and optical response of new sensing materials (porphyrin derivatives and nanostructured hybrid materials) represent the first step to develop these gas sensors.A novel A3B porphyrin asymmetrically mixed substituted, namely 5-pyridyl-10,15,20-tris(3,4-di-methoxi-phenyl)-porphyrin (PyTDMeOPP) responded to gas adding by increasing the Soret band intensity in agreement with a linear dependence with a good correlation coefficient (Figure 1). The AFM images reveal that porphyrin was initially structured in ring aggregates (after 15 minutes) and that the most part of rings looks filled after CO2 absorption (80 minutes).Figure 1. The increase and widening of the Soret band of (PyTDMeOPP) porphyrin function of increasing amounts of CO2. AFM ring aggregates after 15 minutes (left side) and filled after CO2 absorption (80 minutes).

Figure 1. The increase and widening of the Soret band of (PyTDMeOPP) porphyrin function of increasing amounts of CO2. AFM ring aggregates after 15 minute

Research team:Eugenia FAGADAR-COSMA, Ileana CERNICA, Anca PALADE, Anca LASCU, Ionela CREANGA, Dana VLASCICI, Mihaela BIRDEANU, G. FAGADAR-COSMA

Viability and risk. It was emphasized sometimes that project management means entirely risk management.This could be true for a research project and also for the present project, due to the novelty of the research(air control using colorimetric methods and porphyrin and in space habitates are new researches with arelatively high degree of risk) . For this reason, some actions of risk management will be described briefly inthe following. The principle “beyond the small projects, no person is able to think alone to all things thatcould go wrong”, the work packages will be analyzed by brainstorming. According to Chicken`s study (1994) about the practice of risk assessment, there are no generally accepted methods for this assessment, but the expertise must be used. Thinking this way, two structures, a “counsel of old men” and a “counsel of young men” will meet every 6 months (or in crisis situations) for project analysis in a brainstorming. The first meeting was done after the Consortium was settled and before writing the Plan of activities (a meeting of negative brainstorming - “devil’s defender”- with the subject: what could go wrong in this project? Theresult: From the technical point of view, the success chances are high. The foreseen risks – entering in thecategory of impossible to solve foreseen risks – are linked to the economic instability (increasing of price ofenergy and working fluids, difficulty of ensuring the specific materials) and could lead to limitations in theactions of one of other of the partners or to overreaching the solicited budget. Because the researchedsubject is a new one, there is an increase degree of potential risk. If a severe scientific or technical blockagewill arise, the partner has to contact the coordinator. Corrective actions could be: searching solutions outside the consortium or modifying some objectives. This kind of problems will be analyzed at MCP (management council of the project) level, and a solution will be decided, which will modify accordingly the working plan. The research being a pioneering one, any result could be used for subsequent development. The current issues - professional incompetence, difficulty to work in a team - could not be considered because the Consortium members have known expertise in research, each one in his field and have previously worked together in projects. Another problem is occurred because the results cannot be tested in real functioning conditions but, over all, we think the project is perfectly viable and this is a beginning project, with results that could be used for future industrial developments.

Aligning the project activities with ESA programs:Present how the project activities are aligned with ESA programs.ESA was interested in human spaceflight since 1970s and now, in the ESA Agenda 2015-2020 is emphasizedthe importance of R&D (collaboration with R&D entities with spatial specific but not only) in the futurecompetitivness of Europe in space science and industries.“ESA is far from being in a leading position for human spaceflight activities and is dependent on otherpartners, but ESA has developed unique capabilities and has a unique experience of interdependentcooperation among its Member States, placing ESA in a good position to promote such a differentparadigm” and …”the cooperation should also involve other countries than space powers able to bringspace capabilities. As an example, the utilisation of the unique environment provided by the ISS could beopened to scientists from all over the world, through one of the five partners, but under conditions set upby all partners. ESA has already initiated such an opening for a pilot phase towards all EU Member Statesnot members of ESA. This type of opening could be extended further in steps, for example, to countriesparticipating in the FP7 of the EU.”In these two points our project can give a contribution: being a good participant in this effort fordevelopment original research for improving human spaceflight activities.From the ESA programs,our project can be part of:Research Issues for Human Exploration: Habitability“How to design a habitat that is suitable for a long duration mission and have confidence that the design isadequate, prior to the mission?” Habitability covers physiology, psychosociology and psychology andincludes ergonomics, management and organisational aspects:– A habitat which is inadequate in the physiological domain can lead to death due, for example, toinadequate air, water or waste treatment” so, the air monitoring is a must Research Issues for HumanExploration: Deep Space Operations

“How can the crew readily access and use large amounts of information?”“Subjects for research:– Human sense making of large volumes of information and data, decision support, natural interfaces toknowledge, information and data” and the ideea of colorimetric microsensors array facilitate the noninvasiveinforming. The portability of the microsensor array also facilitate the knowledgesResearch Issues for Human Exploration: Medical Support“How to ensure crew health management for a long duration mission?”“Crew health management includes:• Monitoring: continuous monitoring of astronauts health is key to anticipate any issue and develop appropriate countermeasure activitiesSubjects for research:counter measures, exercise, nutrition, space biomedical research, establish knowledge, methods and standards for designing an integrated, autonomous, crew health management system”By monitoring the air in the habitable spaces support the health management of the crew.Also our project can enter in ESA - European Programme for Life and Physical Sciences in Space – ELIPS inobjectives:- Fundamental research, in both physical and life sciences;-Human physiology and performance

- Applied research, and industry-driven R&D to meet the challenges to society in the 21st century isaddressing societal needs in for example:- Supporting the implementation of industry-driven R&D and technology demonstrations, making end-user industries beneficiaries in research exploiting the specific features of the Columbus environment and other platforms.- Preparation of Human Exploration of space:- Health care and human performance under extreme conditions within our solar system.Extremophiles/adaptation strategies.- The impact of human exploration on individuals and society (including Earth applications of spaceresearch)Human Exploration Technologies ComponentAnalysing Interferometer for Ambient Air (ANITA-2): Full development of the necessary payloadmodels for a long-term flight demonstration on ISS.Microbial Detection in Air System for Space (MiDASS): Full development of the necessary payloadmodels for a long-term flight demonstration on ISS.Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA): Further technology development andadvancement of technology readiness level in various focal areas.

Dissemination of the project resultsThe project is focused on one of the most innovative and challenging topic thus is important to assure that project results will bring the added-value benefit to the whole European space community and industry, by the dissemination of the project results at the intermediate stages, and at the final demonstration stage.There are two main aspects of dissemination which are envisioned, information flows between national partners and the national space industry and the presentation of the project results outside the consortium to ESA.The dissemination of project results will be pursued by the SAFEAIR consortium and will include a large variety of channels. The dissemination activities will run throughout the duration of the project and will interact closely with all technical activities. The means of dissemination can be split in two main categories:the existing ones, and the means created by the project, respectively.a) By using the existing dissemination means• The results obtained in the frame of the project SAFEAIR will be published in scientific journals (at least 7 papers), including prestigious refereed ISI journals (at least 3 papers)• Patent proposals will be registred during project running, with subjects linked to project technical subjects (at least 2 patent proposals);• articipations to Romanian and international conferences and symposia dedicated to project subjects, are also targeted for disseminating the project results to potential customers (e.g. ESA events, AEROSPACE Days);• The brokerage activities (e.g. those organized by Centre for Technological Transfer in Microengineering,CTT – Baneasa, of IMT and EBIC), will be used for promoting project results;• Networking with other projects and activities (in ESA frame).

b) By creating and using new disseminating means• The Web site of the project, which has to fulfil two basic functions related to dissemination: (i) To provide an efficient mean for communication inside the project consortium for all organizational issues, serving as hub for information exchange among the partners, to keep them informed about the project status, planning and all other issues important to them; (ii) To provide visibility to the consortium and disseminate the scientific/technical achievements to the outside world. The public results will be available on the web page without password. The website will display information about the project and will be linked with other relevant web pages. All project documentation draft and final versions, including presentations made at consortium meetings, will be held on a secure section of the site. This Web site will be set up and maintained by IMT with suitable security features. All consortium members will post their contributions and documents.The scientific content will be provided and maintained with the inputs from all partners.The website will also have interactive components to solicit comments and information from the website users. Maximum transparency for all partners involved will thus be obtained, increasing the synergy of cooperation.• Project workshops: 2 workshops are planned to be organized by the Consortium with ROSA agreement;• E-newsletter of the project: The users (registered on the webpage) will receive, via an e-newsletter, information about relevant activities in SAFEAIR and in related topics. All partners will be able to disseminate via this e-newsletter information about their activities.• Promotional material presentations: A logo will be created for the SAFEAIR project.For making known the project activities, promotional material will be used for the effective dissemination of the work that will be undertaken in the project. These promotional materials include publication of electronic material, e.g. Web pages, and the presentation of the project results at ESA and ROSA public events and the creation of public deliverables to be available via the Internet.

Conclusions

O ultima concluzie/intrebare/nelamurire:

Parafrazand o veche poezie:„(...) Sub cer albastru pe-albastru ocean/ Corabia noastră aleargă-nainte/ Mândră aleargă'nainte,/ Spre viitor, ……. aleargă.../ Prielnic e vântul. Meşter cârmaciul/ …..” dar: mandra(ca are de ce) sau nu(dupa alte opinii) cat o sa mai poata alerga corabia cercetarii romanesti chiar daca prielnic este vantul (dar numai cel UE- mai greu de sesizat pe Dambovita) si mesteri sunt carmacii (proiectelor de cercetare)

The ideas of the project is new but can be fulfilled

The first technological experiments had very good results- we obtain a porphirine with selective response to the CO2

The risk of the project remained high- necessity some high technological skills

We consider that the project can be continued