Romanian Times | Februarie 2019

11 / 24

ROMANIANTIMES
SACRAMENTO
Români cu care ne mândrim
Ruxandra Vidu, PhD is a nanotechnology and
photovoltaic expert with over 25 years of experience
in chemical engineering and materials science. An
AssociateAdjunct Professor at University of California
Davis and Associate Director of the California Solar
EnergyCollaborative,Dr.Viduhasextensiveexperience
managing complex technology projects in advanced
materials and innovative technologies. Since 1996, she
has worked with leading universities in Japan, United
States, and Romania, and consulted for Mitsubishi and
BP Solar in solar energy and energy storage - related
projects.
Most recently, Dr. Vidu was awarded the Constantin
Brâncoveanu International Award for Science in
November 2018, in recognition of her contributions to
scientific research and discovery. Among many other
awards, shewas aFulbrightUSScholar at theBucharest
PolytechnicUniversity inBucharest, Romania, in2012-
2013.
Dr. Vidu is the President of the American Romanian
Academy of Arts and Sciences (ARA, https://www.
. Having published
over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and over
20 patents licensed, pending, or in process, Dr. Vidu
has always been interested to translate her research
into commercial products. She founded a company to
commercialize nanocables technology developed at UC
Davis, andwas a co-founder of Bloo Solar as well as the
co-inventor of the BlooSolar Brush™, a photovoltaic
device for highly efficient solar conversion technology.
Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself.
A: I was born in Romania, and received my B.S.
and M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering
from the Polytechnica University in Bucharest. The
Ministry of Education in Japan awarded me a research
fellowship and a doctoral scholarship in 1996 and 1997,
respectively; in 2000, I earned my Ph.D. in Materials
Engineering and Processing from Osaka University,
Japan. Professor Pieter Stroeve recruited me as a
postdoctoral researcher in the Chemical Engineering
and Materials Science department at University of
California,Davis, andas theysay, the rest ishistory. I had
and continue to have a busy academic life, conducting
research (with many collaborators at institutions in the
US and abroad), writing grants, teaching and advising
students, publishing scientific papers and books, and
giving numerous presentations at conferences all over
the world.
Q: You are very passionate about your work and
received numerous awards and recognitions. Please
tell us more about your work.
A: My research areas are nanotechnology and
photovoltaics, with specialties that include surface
science, surface modifications, surface alloying,
heat treatment, powder metallurgy, electrochemical
deposition, Atomic Force Microscopy, nanostructured
architecture for PV, photovoltaic technology,
thermoelectrics,waterpurificationandsensors.Iinvented
and developed advanced ultra-thin film photovoltaic
technology that combined MEMS manufacturing with
photovoltaic thin films to create economical nano-
architecture high-performance PV cells for commercial
applications. Recent projects include development of
advanced magnetic nanomaterials for water treatment,
and new technologies to produce porous, multi-valance,
Interview with Professor Ruxandra Vidu
By Gabriela Lee
oxides for various energy-related applications.
Q: What is the significance of your recent Constantin
Brâncoveanu International Award for Science?
A: The Constantin Brâncoveanu International Awards
represent a major step for the Alexandrion Foundation to
recognize international values and true leaders in multiple
professional fields. I was delighted to receive the Science
award, and to share the stage with renowned writers,
architects, physicians, journalists, diplomats, and artists,
as fellow awardees from Romania, Greece, Syria, and
US. These awards fulfil the need of our society to have
inspirational examples at the cultural, scientific, and
political level and to highlight those who truly contribute
to the development of future generations.
Q: Your activities extend beyond academic research
and publishing. What advice do you have for the next
generationof scientists (includingRomanian scientists)
who are just starting their education and/or careers?
A: Indeed, I have always been passionate not only about
the scientific research process, but also about how science
benefits from multi-disciplinary collaborations, including
across president of theAmericanRomanian
Academy of Arts and Sciences (ARA), I am interested to
promote the successes of Romanians active in diverse
fields to audiences in theUS andRomania.ARAorganizes
an annual congress that provides an open forum for
intellectuals to present their ideas and achievements in fields
such as literature, philosophy, medicine, social sciences,
arts, engineering, mathematics, physics, and chemistry, as
well as discuss future trends and scientific directions. The
next ARACongress will be held at the Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki, Greece, June 10-13, 2019.
I want to encourage the next generation of scientists to
follow their passions, wherever they will take them, but also
pursue their hobbies. Somewill apply their skills inacademic
research and teaching, others will invent and translate
their discoveries to commercial products or services, and
still others will work with peer scientists to coordinate or
manage large-scale projects such as the Extreme Light
Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP), pan-European
research infrastructure in Magurele, Romania, laser that has
reached 7 PetaWatts in February 2019, and is expected to
reach 10 PWby June 2019.
For me, starting Reflection Publishing was a hobby and
a labor of love. This publishing house and online virtual
bookstore focuses on promoting Romanian heritage and
culture, and is one of the many ways I stay connected with
my country of origin. There are beautiful places all over
the world, but Romania’s spectacular mountains and warm
people will always make my heart sing.
***
Prof. Ruxandra Vidu