Laura Monica Gorghiu

Bio: Laura Monica Gorghiu is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Science education & Responsible Research and Innovation. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 90 publications receiving 484 citations.

Responsible Research and Innovation in Science Teaching - Romanian Teachers’ Reflections Expressed in an On-line Course Organized on edX Environment

Abstract: Even the Responsible Research and Innovation (hereafter RRI) concept is not yet clarified at the scientific literature level, it is more and more frequency used, being promoted in the European Union policies (Owen et al, 2012) and programs in Science and beyond (Owen et al, 2013). At the educational level, RRI refers mainly to the idea that the future EU citizens have to possess the necessary skills to manage complex issues related to emerging technologies, and more, they are sufficiently informed about how science works. In the context of achieving of those educational goals, European Union funded - since 2014 - a big number of European projects, in order to bring closer research and innovation results to the large public. The FP7 ENGAGE Project (Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science Equipping the Next Generation) is one of those approved projects that started in January 2014 and lasts till March 2017.This paper emphasizes our findings concerning the teachers’ reflections about challenges and prospects related to implementation of RRI specific aspects in Science lessons, collected at the end of the 1st edition of the on-line course entitled "Methods of promoting RRI dimensions in Science Education". This course was organized in an on-line format, through the edX environment, by Valahia University of Targoviste, in November-December 2015.

Antioxidant Properties of Dry Extracts from Selected Lamiaceae Herbs as Studied by Isothermal Chemiluminescence Method

Abstract: Nine commercially available plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family were investigated for the characterization of thermal stabilization of paraffin substrate. The kinetic parameters were calculated from the isothermal chemiluminescence curves. They were correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoids contents in the studied herbs The data clearly outline that the richest phenolics content was found in Rosemary. Sage and Rosemary exhibit the highest flavonoids content through all investigated plants.

Biodegradable Polymers- A Review on Recent Trends and Emerging Perspectives

Abstract: Recent trends in biodegradable polymers indicate significant developments in terms of novel design strategies and engineering to provide advanced polymers with comparably good performance. However, there are several inadequacies in terms of either technology or cost of production especially in the case of applications in environmental pollution. So, there is a need to have a fresh perspective on the design, properties and functions of these polymers with a view to developing strategies for future developments. The paper reviews the present state-of-art on biodegradable polymers and discusses the salient features of the design and properties of biodegradable polymers. Special emphasis is given to the problems and prospects of (1) approaches adopted to make non-biodegradable synthetic polymers such as polyethylene biodegradable and (2) biodegradable polymers and copolymers made from renewable resources especially poly(lactic acid) based polymers and copolymers which are emerging as the candidate biodegradable materials for the future.

Current state and future prospects of plastic waste as source of fuel: A review

Abstract: Due to the depleting fossil fuel sources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, the present rate of economic growth is unsustainable. Therefore, many sources of renewable energy have been exploited, but the potentials of some other sources such as plastics waste are yet to be fully developed as full scale economic activity. Development and modernization have brought about a huge increase in the production of all kinds of plastic commodities, which directly or indirectly generate waste due to their wide range of applications coupled with their versatility of types and relatively low cost. The current scenario of the plastic recycling technology is reviewed in this paper. The aim is to provide the reader with an in-depth analysis with respect to the pyrolysis of plastic waste as obtained in the current recycling technology. As the calorific value of the plastics is comparable to that of hydrocarbon fuel, production of fuel from plastic waste would provide a good opportunity to utilize the waste as a better alternative to dumpsites. Different techniques of converting plastics waste into fuel including thermal and catalytic pyrolysis, microwave-assisted pyrolysis and fluid catalytic cracking are discussed in detail. The co-pyrolysis of plastics waste with biomass is also highlighted. Thus, an attempt was made to address the problem of plastic waste disposal as a partial replacement of the depleting fossil fuel with the hope of promoting a sustainable environment.

Advances in antioxidant active food packaging

Abstract: Lipid oxidation is, together with microbial growth, the main cause of spoilage of a great variety of foods, such as nuts, fish, meats, whole milk powders, sauces and oils. It causes a loss of both sensorial and nutritional quality of foods and may even lead to the formation of toxic aldehydes. Some strategies that are commonly used to limit the extent of lipid oxidation of packaged foods are direct addition of antioxidants or packaging under modified atmospheres in which oxygen presence is limited. A novel alternative to these methods is antioxidant active packaging, whose main advantage is that it can provide sustained release of antioxidants during storage. This article reviews the latest advances in antioxidant active food packaging, with special emphasis on antioxidant release systems. The various methods for incorporating antioxidant compounds in the package, the issues to be considered in packaging design, and the various methods employed to date to evaluate the antioxidant effectiveness of active antioxidant materials are reviewed.

Biodegradation of Agricultural Plastic Films: A Critical Review

Abstract: The growing use of plastics in agriculture has enabled farmers to increase their crop production. One major drawback of most polymers used in agriculture is the problem with their disposal, following their useful life-time. Non-degradable polymers, being resistive to degradation (depending on the polymer, additives, conditions etc) tend to accumulate as plastic waste, creating a serious problem of plastic waste management. In cases such plastic waste ends-up in landfills or it is buried in soil, questions are raised about their possible effects on the environment, whether they biodegrade at all, and if they do, what is the rate of (bio?)degradation and what effect the products of (bio?)degradation have on the environment, including the effects of the additives used. Possible degradation of agricultural plastic waste should not result in contamination of the soil and pollution of the environment (including aesthetic pollution or problems with the agricultural products safety). Ideally, a degradable polymer should be fully biodegradable leaving no harmful substances in the environment. Most experts and acceptable standards define a fully biodegradable polymer as a polymer that is completely converted by microorganisms to carbon dioxide, water, mineral and biomass, with no negative environmental impact or ecotoxicity. However, part of the ongoing debate concerns the question of what is an acceptable period of time for the biodegradation to occur and how this is measured. Many polymers that are claimed to be ‘biodegradable’ are in fact ‘bioerodable’, ‘hydrobiodegradable’, ‘photodegradable’, controlled degradable or just partially biodegradable. This review paper attempts to delineate the definition of degradability of polymers used in agriculture. Emphasis is placed on the controversial issues regarding biodegradability of some of these polymers.