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.

Promoting the Nano - Technology Concepts in secondary Science Education Through ICT Tools − the Romanian and Turkish teachers' Perception

Abstract: The paper presents a study developed in the frame of LLP KA3-ICT project no. 511787-LLP-1-2010-1-TR-KA3-KA3MP: “Nano-Tech Science Education” that aims to use ICTs as a tool to make the learning of science subjects more attractive and accessible. Trying to increase the learners’ motivation in science studies (The Educational Council of European Union Report, 2001), teachers and students were asked about how to introduce the new scientific concepts related to nano-materials and nano-technologies in the classroom, to be easy and better understood. The paper includes only the analysis of the science teachers’ answers from the Turkish and Romanian secondary education in order to identify the most suitable tools for introducing the nano-materials and nano-technologies in science lessons. Based on their feedback, the partnership decided to set up a specific Nanotech Virtual Lab and use the proper ICT tools during the project. Keywords: Science education, ICT tools, NTSE project, teachers’ feedback, Lifelong Learning Programme;

Analysis of 1000 Days of Collaborative Activities in Two Multinational Educational Projects

Abstract: Effective and efficient communication and collaboration is a prerequisite for the success of a project. This paper presents the numerical data which relieve the amount of the collaborative activity developed through collaborative platforms in the frame of two European educational projects during around one thousand days of these projects life-time. The paper extends the research presented in (7) by including the data of the last four months of the two projects considered. The aim of this paper is to show how much a collaborative platform can be used during a three years educational project life-time and what types of project activities requests a more intense use, in terms of quantity, of these platforms. For this evaluation, it is proposed a method which has as basis the processing of the statistical data from the log files generated by the web server which hosts the collaborative platforms.

Introducing RRI in Science Teaching - An Actual Challenge for Science Teachers

Abstract: Even the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has not been clearly explained in the scientific literature, it is more and more frequent used, being promoted in the European Union policies and programs in Science and beyond. According to the Horizon 2020 initiative, launched by European Commission in 2014, RRI underpins several European projects and represents one of the current images of the connection between Science and Society, in the EU vision. Anyway, one of the targeted issues is related to make a transparent engagement of all the societal actors in research and innovation aspects, through promoting science education and facilitating the access to scientific knowledge. However, at the global level, RRI has implications on designing and implementing research and innovation policies that lead to: hiring the society in research and innovation; increasing the access to scientific results; ensuring gender equality in the research area; providing an ethics of researcher / research, and in compliance with current laws relating to ethics; promoting science education at formal and non-formal levels. The paper illustrates the feed-back of the teachers who participated to several Workshops dedicated to promote RRI in Science education, organized in the frame of the European FP7 project entitled: “ENGAGE - Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science Equipping the Next Generation”. The workshops introduced the concept of RRI and offered a series of teaching materials, as examples of implementing the RRI dimensions in Science lessons.

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.