The project seeks to develop novel yttrium oxide powders that absorb UV light and convert it to visual light [610248]

The project seeks to develop novel yttrium oxide powders that absorb UV light and convert it to visual light
doped in a polymer matrix so that UV irradiation can be visualized on human body. There are several novel
aspects of the proposal such as dopant tu ning, hydrothermal processing, and nano composite engineering.
However, the challenges of the creation of skin formulations and the associated toxicity of the components
either in the body or the release of polymer matrices in the open environment was not adequately addressed.
For practical application, the researchers should also include a discussion of the costs of the powders,
concentration required to get a visual effect and associated toxicity.

Proiectul caută să dezvolte noi pulberi de oxid de ytriu, care absorb lumina UV și o convertesc în lumină
vizibilă, și care să fie introduse într -o matrice polimerică, astfel încât iradierea UV să poată fi vizualizată pe
corpul uman. Există mai multe aspecte noi ale propunerii, cum ar fi ajustarea dopantului, pr elucrarea
hidrotermală și ingineria nanocompozitelor. Cu toate acestea, provocările creării unor formulări cutanate și
toxicitatea asociată a componentelor, fie în organism , fie în cazul eliber ării de matrice polimerice în mediu
deschis , nu a fost abordată în mod adecvat. Pentru aplicarea practică, cercetătorii ar trebui să includă, de
asemenea, și o discuție privind costurile pulberilor , concentrația necesară pentru a obține un efect vizual și
toxicitatea asociată.

1. Bioco mpatibility/associated toxicity
2. Biodegradability

Because both Zoltan Szabadai (full professor) and Mihai -Cosmin Pascariu (assistant professor) currently
work at medical/pharmaceutical universities (UMF Timisoara and UVVG Arad), it will not be a problem to
perform biocompatibility tes ts. However, our final product is not intended for skin application , its role is
only to indicate the presence of UV radiation, and that is why our project proposal is focused on the
composites construction part. We also chose not to explicitly detail bioc ompatibility in the reduced space of
the project proposal because all the used materials are proven to be biocompatible . Lanthanides , for
example, form low toxicity compounds and pose no danger for ecosystems ; furthermore , both ErIII [1] and
TbIII [2] oxides show no toxicity in humans . Erbium is used for synthesis of photoluminescen t nanoparticles
in “green” chemistry [3], and erbium oxide is among the most important rare earth compounds used in
biomedicine (bioimaging). Water insoluble compounds of yttrium , like Y 2O3 (LD Lo>6 g/kg [4]), are
likewise non-toxic [ 1]. Poly(methylmethacrylate) ( PMMA ) and polylactide (PLA) also have numerous
biomedical applications, and are in use for a long time now. PMMA has a good degree of compatibility with
human tissue , bein g used in the manufacture of eyeglass lenses and ocular prostheses, of dentures and in
orthopedic and cosmetic surgery [6,7] (it is already recyclable in some European countries ). On the other
hand, PLA has led to plastics that are more environmenta lly friendly [8]. Both the polymers and the oxides
are stable compounds in normal working conditions, so it is conceivable that no reaction will take place
between them and thus no potentially dangerous secondary compounds will form. Thus, it is to be expected
that by integrating the se components, non -toxic composite s will be obtained that would not have adverse
effects after release in the environment .
1. Emsley (2001) Nature's Building Block s: An A -Z Guide to the Elements, Oxfo rd University Press
2. Hammond (200 5) in Lide , CRC Handbook of C hemistry and Physics, CRC Press
3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/la203622u
4. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/7440655.html
6. Meyers (1995) Molecular biology and biotechnology: a comprehensive desk reference, Wi ley
7. Miller (1996) R eview of Orthopedics , W.B. Saund ers
8. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3390/ijms10093722

3. Cost of powders?

The PED documentation did not request to state the price of the final product; however, keeping in mind the
cost of the starting materials (and ignoring the fact that prices are continually changing) , we estimate this
price to be around 1 euro/gram.

4. Concentration required to get a visual effect?

To get a visual effect, the oxide concentration in the polymer matrix should be about 25% (value could be

adjusted for different conditions).

The researchers are well experienced to carry out the objectives from a materials characterization
standpoint and there a few good preliminary results. The preliminary results and track record of prior
research in terms o f high impact publications and patents was unclear. The inclusion of simulations and
theoretical concepts would speed up formulations as compared to a largely empirical approach.

Cercetătorii dețin experiența necesară pentru a îndeplini obiectivele din p unctul de vedere al caracteriză rii
materialelor și dețin deja câteva rezultate preliminare bune. Rezultatele preliminare și istoricul cercetărilor
anterioare în ceea ce privește publicațiile de mare impact și brevetele a fost neclar. Includerea unor simulă ri
și concepte teoretice ar accelera formulările în comparație cu o abordare în mare parte empirică.

1. Our high impact publications (and patents)? (Cosmin)

Mircea Ștefănescu and Mircea Niculescu authored tens of papers regarding the synthesis and prop erties of
oxidic systems (published in journals like ACTA CHIMICA SLOVENICA (1.167), JOURNAL OF
MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS (2.357), JOURNAL OF ORGANOMETALLIC
CHEMISTRY (2.336), JOURNAL OF SOL -GEL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (1.473), JOURNAL
OF THERMAL ANA LYSIS AND CALORIMETRY (1.781), MATERIALS RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2.435 ) and THERMOCHIMICA ACTA (1.938)). Andrei Racu and Mihai -Cosmin Pascariu also have some
good background regarding oxides and the h ydrothermal synthesis method :
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mat let.2014.10.129
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2016.05.027
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2015.11.008

2. Inclusion of simulations and theoretical concepts? (Andrei)

The empirical results ( briefly included in section B.2.2) constitute a clear argument that the luminescent
product can be constructed. The project is focused towards experiments and solid proofs (as the competition
name, “PED”, implies), starting at TLR3 and moving towards TLR4, and we feel that simulations would
rather belong to lower TLR levels. However, underlying theories already exist in literature , for example :
– theoretical concepts regarding transitions and energy levels for Y2O3:Er:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3465615
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2739301
– concentration quen ching of emission:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0925 -3467 (03)00112 -5

The role of the individual team members was not clearly identified with the different objectives. The budget
breakdown was not as detailed and seemed somewhat unclear. The risks associa ted to the project were
reasonably identified and some solutions were provided. The infrastructure for materials synthesis (in small
volume) and characterization are good and include electron microscopes and a range of spectroscopy
facilities. The formulat ion of more stringent success criteria and a more well developed research plan in
terms of quantifiable metrics that need to be achieved for practical application would strengthen the
proposal.

Rolul fiecărui membru al echipei nu a fost identificat în mod clar cu diferitele obiective. Eșalonarea
bugetului nu a fost pe cât ar fi trebuit de detaliată și a părut oarecum neclară. Riscurile asociate proiectului
au fost identificate în mod rezonabil și s-au oferit o serie de soluții. Infrastructura pentru sinteza

materialelor (la volum mic) și caracterizarea acestora sunt bune și includ microscoape electronice și o gamă
de facilități de spectroscopie. Formularea unor criterii mai stricte de succes și a unui plan de cercetare mai
bine dezvoltat în ceea ce privește valorile cuantificabile care trebuie îndeplinite pentru aplicarea practică ar
consolida propunerea.

1. Identification of the role of each team member with the objectives
2. Details of budget br eakdown
3. Formulation of more stringent success criteria and of a better research plan in terms of
quantifiable metrics that needs to be achieved for practica l application

We feel that the budged -activities correlation was clearly described in the work -plan uploaded on
UEFISCDI platform. The role of each team member, directly related to his background , is also stated in the
description of each participant, where we emphasized each one’s capability and skills to contribute to the
successfully fulfillment o f the project’s objectives.

Calculul pre țului (euro per gram material):

 5 mL (0,005 L) soluție Y(NO 3)3 0,1 M formează după calcinare 50 mg (0,050 g) Y2O3;

 Produsul final conține 20 % oxid și 80 % polimer ;

 500 g Y(NO3)3*6H 2O costă 601,00 euro;

 1 L MMA (~ 940 g) costă 61,70 euro (d ensit atea 0,94 g/cm3);

 100 g lactidă costă 190,00 euro.

Numărul de moli de Y(NO 3)3 din soluție:

nY(NO3)3 = 0,1 * 0 ,005 = 0,0005 (mol)

Masa molar ă a Y(NO 3)3:

MY(NO3)3 = M Y(NO3)3 *6H2O – 6 * MH2O = 383,01 – 6 * 18,0152833 = 274,9183002 (g/mol)

Masa de Y(NO 3)3 din soluție:

mY(NO3)3 = 0,0005 * 274,9183002 = 0,1374591501 (g)

Masa echivalentă de Y(NO 3)3*6H 2O din soluție:

mY(NO3)3 *6H2O = 0,1374591501 * 383,01 / 274,9183002 = 0,191505 (g), cu prețul 0.23018901 euro

Randamentul

MY2O3 = 225,81 (g/mol)

mteoretică = 0,1374591501 * 225,81 / (2 * 274,9183002) = 0,0564525 (g)

η = 0,050 / 0,0564525 *100 = 88.570036756565253974580399450866 %

mMMA/PLA = 80 * 0,050 / 20 = 0,200 (g)

MMA: 0,0131 276595744680851063829787234 euro

PLA: 0,38 euro

Masă totală m aterial: 0,250 (g)

Prețul:

MMA: 0,2433166695744680851063829787234 euro sau 0,97326667829787234042553191489362 euro/g

PLA: 0,61018901 euro sau 2,44075604 euro/g