Aeromaterials: Pioneering Paths in Biomedicine and Environmental Protection

Interview with Dr. Fiodor Braniște, Researcher in the PNRR-I8 #MultiPodGaN Project, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iași

Cutting-edge research in the field of nanomaterials and their advanced applications requires not only solid knowledge and a lot of laboratory work, but also the courage to explore new directions and work in international collaboration. Fiodor Braniște, a researcher at the “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Iași (ICMPP) and part of the PNRR-I8 #MultiPodGaN project team, is one of the people who make essential contributions to the development of aero-nanomaterials with unique properties and interdisciplinary applications, from biomedicine to environmental protection. The PNRR-I8 project of which he is currently part within ICMPP aims to continue its activity „to focus on the problems of using aeromaterials as sensors, in biomedical applications as matrices for the growth of living cells, as well as in environmental applications, such as the photocatalytic degradation of volatile compounds.”

The Center for Guidance, Association and Counseling in Research Careers (COACH-USV) opened through a PNRR-I10 project in 2023 within the „Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava (which supports through mentoring and coaching services students from all three cycles of higher education, as well as teaching staff and researchers from research institutes throughout the NE Development Region of Romania), invites readers to discover Fiodor Braniște, a young researcher born in the Republic of Moldova, who talks about his path in research, the challenges of the profession and the fascinating perspectives opened by the new materials developed together with the team coordinated by Academician Ion Tighineanu.

Living both in his native country and in Romania, working at the „Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Fiodor Braniște (photo), aged 35, has been involved in scientific research activities since 2009. Since his second year of university studies, he was selected to participate in the implementation of scientific programs within the National Center for Study and Testing of Materials of the Technical University of Moldova (UTM). He studied Microelectronics and Nanotechnologies within the Department of Microelectronics and Biomedical Engineering of UTM, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in 2011, and his master’s degree in 2013.

In 2017, Fiodor Braniște defended his doctoral thesis in technical sciences at the Institute of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. He is currently in the process of preparing his habilitated doctoral thesis, carried out within an individual postdoctoral program at UTM. Since 2024, he has dedicated part of his professional time to activities within the PNRR-I8 program at the „Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Iași, where he contributes to advanced research projects in the field of chemistry and polymer materials.

Fiodor Braniște, a researcher at the “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Iași, is a member of the target group of the COACH-USV Center and was attracted to a career in research both by the intellectual challenges that this field offers and by meeting passionate people, who inspired him with their way of approaching science: “Over time, I have had the opportunity to meet people who are very passionate about what they do, who inspired me with the way they approach a scientific problem and contribute to solving it”, he confesses.

The choice to work at the “Petru Poni” Institute was also influenced by the geographical proximity to Chișinău, but especially by the access to modern infrastructure and the opportunity to collaborate with a team of experts from fields complementary to his own specializations.

„The technical possibilities are much more advanced here, with access to modern infrastructure and a team of well-trained experts in a field complementary to that of microelectronics and nanotechnologies, namely in biomedicine and biotechnology”, adds Fiodor Braniște, highlighting the advantages of the research environment within the Iasi institute.

Our target-group member sees this opportunity as an important step in advancing his research in the field of 3D nano- and micro-architectures and their applications in biomedicine and sensor technology: „Participation in the I8 #MultipodGaN project has given me the opportunity to advance research in the field of 3D nano-micro-architectures based on ZnO and aero-GaN for their application in the field of sensors and biomedicine.” An essential element in this endeavor is aerogalnite, a new material, created by an international team of researchers under the leadership of Academician Ion Tighineanu.

Aerogalnite has unique properties (hydrophobic-hydrophilic), the ability to shield the electromagnetic field and promising uses in pressure sensors. The material is based on gallium nitride (GaN), a biocompatible semiconductor compound with pronounced piezoelectric properties, whose applications are still little explored: „At ICMPP we have the infrastructure and expertise necessary to develop the field of nanomedicine using GaN-based aerotetrapods,” emphasizes Fiodor Braniște, highlighting the essential role that the institute plays in capitalizing the potential of this innovative material.

Within the PNRR-I8 #MultiPodGaN project, the young researcher originating in the Republic of Moldova explains his work with the team: „We are working on the characterization of aero-GaN-based nanostructures that self-assemble into ultraporous membranes and have the ability to encapsulate liquid droplets”. A major objective of the project is to explore the use of these ultraporous membranes in applications such as the detection and catalytic degradation of specific compounds.

In parallel, the team is developing micro-bioreactors capable of encapsulating very small amounts of biological content, including living cells, and maintaining them under complex spatial control conditions, using electromagnetic fields. „We are working on the development of micro-bioreactors capable of encapsulating small amounts of bio content (including living cells) and being incubated under complex spatial control conditions”.

So far, within the PNRR-I8 #MultiPodGaN project, Fiodor Braniște and his team have achieved significant results in the development and characterization of 3D, multipod and tetrapod structures based on ZnO, with submicrometric dimensions: „We managed to obtain 3D, multipod and tetrapod structures based on ZnO with submicrometric dimensions”. Another important result is demonstrated by the ability to functionalize aero-nanomaterials with gold (Au) metallic nanodots, thus improving their performance. Aero-GaN-based structures have an extremely high degree of porosity (>99%), which determines a huge specific surface area, a major advantage for the targeted applications: „Functionalization of the material (aero-GaN, aero-TiO₂ or aero-Ga₂O₃) with metallic nanodots has a beneficial effect on their photocatalytic properties”.

Recently, the team’s results were also validated by the publication of a scientific paper demonstrating the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using aeromaterials decorated with metal nanodots: „A scientific paper has recently been published demonstrating the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using aeromaterials decorated with metal nanodots,” he mentions, referring to the article available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40989.

In his research activity, Fiodor Braniște faces one of the common problems of many intellectuals: „Access to research infrastructure is a challenge for many researchers”. Although laboratories are often well-equipped, in the research process there are frequent needs for specific types of measurements, which are not available either in the institute or in the country. To overcome these limitations, Fiodor Braniște relies on efficient communication and on building solid international collaborations, based on common scientific interests.

For Fiodor Braniște, research is, essentially, a complex activity, which demands a lot from those who are involved: „Research is a long-term systematic process, which requires a lot of attention and dedication from researchers.”

From his perspective, the essential qualities of a successful researcher include curiosity and persistence, but these must always be balanced with a critical evaluation of the results obtained. Last but not least, he believes that the skills of effective communication of scientific results play a crucial role in succeeding in this competitive field.

The most important advice that the researcher affiliated with ICMPP (Iași) would give to a young person interested in a career in research is to follow his / her passion: “I believe that in order to succeed, in any field, you need to like what you do”. He also believes that research is a special field, which requires not only in-depth knowledge in a specific area, but also the willingness to explore new directions and to make a constant effort to achieve the objectives: “You need to be willing to try new directions of development, and subsequently to make a lot of effort to achieve the proposed plan”.

He also emphasizes that the risk of failure is part of the natural course of any researcher. Therefore, the ability to come back with enthusiasm and perseverance is essential: “You have to be willing to assume the risk of failure in research and come back with enthusiasm in carrying out new experiments”. His recommendation for young people who want to follow this path is simple and clear: „I would recommend young people to persevere in the field they are passionate about” — a genuine exhortation, based on his own experience in the world of research.

In recent years, Fiodor Braniște has significantly contributed, within the team coordinated by Professor Ion Tighineanu, to the development of aero-nanomaterials based on semiconductor compounds of great interest: Aero-GaN, Aero-Ga₂O₃, Aero-TiO₂, Aero-ZnS and others. “These materials have an extremely high degree of porosity, which makes them attractive for a number of applications,” he explains, emphasizing the relevance of these results for cutting-edge research.

Looking to the future, Fiodor Braniște has in mind the exploitation of these aeromaterials in various and interdisciplinary applications: „The activity will continue to focus on the problems of using aeromaterials as sensors, in biomedical applications as matrices for the growth of living cells, as well as in environmental applications, such as the photocatalytic degradation of volatile compounds”. Thus, his research directions target not only sensor technology and biomedicine, but also environmental protection, confirming the multidisciplinary and applicative nature of the projects in which he is involved.

Fiodor Braniște’s professional career demonstrates that behind every scientific breakthrough lies a long-term process, marked by dedication, curiosity and perseverance fueled by passion. For young people who want to pursue a career in research, his message is simple and clear: “I would recommend young people to persevere in the field they are passionate about.”

In a world where the boundaries between sciences are becoming increasingly fluid, his work within the PNRR-I8 #MultiPodGaN project shows that solid local expertise (combined with international collaboration) can generate solutions with major impact in essential areas: from human health to environmental protection.

Prof. univ. dr. Elena-Brândușa Steiciuc, Director COACH-USV
Drd. Oana Grosu, psychological advisor
Lect. Sergiu Raiu, sociological advisor, COACH-USV

This article was developed under Project 9/31.01.2023, “Creating and Developing the Center for Orientation, Association, and Counseling in the Research Career for the North-East Development Region of Romania,” based at “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava (COACH-USV).

This article was published by Occidentul Românesc at the request of the COACH-USV Center, which provided the original content and accompanying images.