Magdalena Lidia CIUREA

Dr. Magdalena Lidia CIUREA is a Senior Researcher I at the National Institute of Materials Physics (NIMP), where she leads research activities in the Laboratory of Atomic Structures and Defects in Advanced Materials (LASDAM). She also serves as a PhD adviser at the Doctoral School of Physics, University of Bucharest, and is a Full Member of the Academy of Romanian Scientists (2022-2024), having previously been a Corresponding Member (2014-2022). She earned her doctorate in Physics from the Institute of Atomic Physics, Bucharest-Magurele in 1981 under Academician Radu Grigorovici.

Her research spans multiple areas in nanomaterials and nanostructures, with a primary focus on Si-Ge-Sn based quantum dots/nanocrystals embedded in various dielectric matrices (HfO₂, ZrO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, Si₃N₄). She investigates ferroelectric HfO₂/ZrO₂ structures, VIS-SWIR optical sensors for environmental and security applications, non-volatile memories based on nanocrystals, and nanoscale strain phenomena in nanostructures. Her work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in optoelectronics and memory devices.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on enhancing photosensitivity in the short-wave infrared spectrum through innovative material combinations and nanostructuring techniques. Her research consistently demonstrates how embedding matrix composition, strain engineering, and controlled nanocrystallization can significantly improve device performance. The publications span multiple high-impact journals across materials science, nanotechnology, and optoelectronics, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her work.

Scientific Awards:

• Prize Constantin Miculescu of Romanian Academy (1998)
• Success Story in 2018 for M-Era.Net Project 'PhotoNanoP'
• Multiple Gold and Silver Medals from international exhibitions (ProInvent, InventCor, EuroInvent) 2017-2023
• 12 Best Paper Awards at IEEE International Semiconductor Conference (1995-2022)

Dr. CIUREA has received significant research funding through multiple projects including PCE, PED, and M-ERA.NET initiatives. Her most recent project 'Non-volatile memory with multiple GeSn nanocrystals floating gate controlled by electric field and light with low power consumption (LighTinGMemLowP)' runs from 2025-2028. She has also contributed to numerous patents related to nanocrystal-based memory devices and VIS-SWIR photodetectors. Her laboratory work focuses on magnetron sputtering deposition techniques combined with various annealing processes to create advanced nanostructured materials with tailored optical and electronic properties.