Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet PACE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Characterizing the frequency of future precipitation extremes is a fundamental task in order to understand and mitigate their effects under future climate conditions. However, predicting these changes is a challenging task as intense rainfall is poorly represented in climate models, and extrapolations based on historical data are highly uncertain. The objective of the PACE project is bridging this disconnection by developing an innovative physically-informed statistical model for rainfall extremes. The proposed methodology explicitly accounts for the interannual variability of atmospheric moisture fluxes and their future predicted changes. PACE will achieve this objective by using an innovative precipitationshed perspective. Precipitationsheds - the regions of Earth from which most precipitable water originates before reaching a target site – will be computed using a moisture tracking technique. By including in the statistical representation of rainfall extreme key physical information integrated over a precipitationshed, PACE will provide a novel representation of how dynamic and thermodynamic changing conditions in upwind areas affect the frequency and probability distribution of downwind precipitation. By learning rainfall statistical properties from historical data and relying on climate model predictions only for large scale climate features, the PACE action will improve probabilistic rainfall predictions under future climate scenarios. The Candidate, recently graduated from Duke University (Durham, NC) will join the Host at TU Delft (Delft, The Netherlands) to achieve this research objective, and to continue his postgraduate professional development aimed at creating an independent research program in hydroclimatology.

Mots clés : extreme rainfall hydrology hydrometeorology

Participants :
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet RotoLyte (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Electrolyte materials are at the core of many technologies linked to green and sustainable future development such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, electrochromic ‘smart’ windows, sea-water desalination, electrolytic hydrogen production. Research efforts in batteries have been focused on the dichotomy between the mutually exclusive advantages and disadvantages of solids vs. liquid electrolytes. Here, I propose an ambitious and innovative approach to achieve the best of both worlds through mesophasic, inorganic plastic crystal electrolytes, which feature solid-like macroscopic behavior but liquid-like local dynamics.  A key feature of such plastic crystals is the rotational motion of the polyanions (e.g. sulfate, (thio-)phosphate) that is suspected to have a synergistic effect with the ionic migration ('paddle-wheel-' or 'rotating-door' effect) of small cations such as Li and Na that are key to the function of electrochemical devices. The goal of this project is to investigate this synergy between molecular rotations and ionic displacements at the atomic scale, with the goal of developing more performant solid electrolyte materials for applications such as next generation batteries. This is to be done by investigating the structure and dynamics of plastic crystals through combining my expertise in synthesis and diffraction with the host group’s expertise in NMR and DFT methodologies.

Mots clés : plastic crystals, nmr, pair distribution function

Participants :
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet DIAMONDS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Aerodynamic forces generated by rotor blades and wings in unsteady regime modulates when the angle-of-attack (AoA) is dynamically varied. One of the important phenomena that occurs with the increase in the magnitude of the AoA modulations is the dynamic stall (DS) which entails large excursions of the aerodynamic forces in turn introducing strong vibrations (alongside noise generation) and structural fatigue. The emergence of 3D flow features (i.e. stall cells) further complicates the DS phenomenon and leads to spanwise modulation of lift and drag. Overally, DIAMONDS seeks to address time-resolved (TR) and three-dimensional (3D) diagnostics, modeling and control of airfoils in DS regimes. Objectives of DIAMONDS are: 1) characterization of the pitching airfoil in the DS regime using a TR-3D particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) method, 2) investigation of leading-edge (LE) tubercles to control spanwise lift and drag modulation acting on the stall cells, and 3) development of an unsteady stall cell characterization model through extension of the unsteady lifting-line theory (ULLT) to the 3D flow structures also in presence of LE tubercles. Implemented in TU Delft, and supervised by Prof. Fulvio Scarano and Dr. Morgan Mogeng Li, DIAMONDS will allow me to diversify my individual competence by acquiring new scientific and non-scientific skills. DIAMONDS will strongly benefit my inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary expertise and strengthen my international network. A two-way transfer of knowledge is guaranteed since DIAMONDS combines my expertise in analytical aerodynamic modeling with the host’s expertise in the state-of-the-art 3D optical flow diagnostics methods. In addition to creating high quality new knowledge about stall cells and DS phenomenon and it’s control, DIAMONDS leads to wind turbines and rotorcraft that are safer and much quieter and have less environmental consequences and also makes it possible to fly with less fuel or generate energy at a lower cost.

Mots clés : unsteady aerodynamics, flow control, dynamic stall, stall cells, airfoil leading edge tubercle, wind tunnel testing, particle tracking velocimetry, lifting line theory, wind turbine, rotorcraft

Participants :
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203464.32 €
Projet SPIN-2D-LIGHT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Two-dimensional (2D) magnets and superconductors have opened the door to explore new physical scenarios that were not available until just very recently. Moreover, new emergent properties can appear when different 2D crystals are assembled forming van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs). For example, some scientific open-questions in this field are i) the sensing and control of 2D magnons, ii) the appearance of fractionalized excitacions in 2D quantum spin liquids (QSL) or iii) the emergence of topological superconductivity in ferromagnet/superconductor vdWHs.  In all the previous cases, the spin is the key element, being necessary to detect it with high spatial resolution and sensitivity. This is a current challenge for most of the common experimental characterization techniques as heat capacity, inelastic neutron scattering or muon spectroscopy, just to cite some, due to the few number of atoms in a 2D crystal. As a promising experimental tool, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have shown to be ideal magnetic probes at the nanoscale.  In this project, we propose to explore strongly correlated phenomena in the 2D limit by imaging the spin in 2D magnets (as in CrSBr) or 2D frustrated magnets (in the QSL 1T-TaS2) as well as van der Waals heterostructures (as superconducting NbSe2 in proximity to the metamagnet CrSBr) by using NV magnetometry. It combines in a win-to-win scenario my expertise for dealing with 2D crystals and vdWHs under inert atmosphere conditions together with the knowledge and currently available equipment at TU Delft offered by prof. van der Sar and prof. van der Zant on NV magnetometry and correlated materials.  The successful completion of the proposed experiments will generate ground breaking results in highly correlated systems (QSLs, 2D superconductors, 2D magnets and vdWHs) that will advance the field and bring new cutting edge field directions of potential interest for spintronics and quantum technologies.

Mots clés : 2d materials, van der waals heterostructures, magnetism, superconductivity, nitrogen vacancy magnetometry

Participants :
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet Cordhisk (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The preservation of Cultural Heritage (CH) at risk should represent more than the protection of the tangible matter of the objects. To document and safeguard the experiences that the assets raise in their communities is fundamental for achieving truly comprehensive representations of CH. Otherwise, preservation activities limited to the physical matter of the objects may lead to “musealised” environments that are no longer the core of identity and social encounters, most frecuently after the interruption of social dynamics due to war, displacements or other perturbations. Despite the fact that present-day technologies permit achieving very accurate models of the objects (e.g., 3D models), the phenomenological experience associated with CH (its “genius loci”) is not often considered part of digitisation processes. Cordhist addresses this gap by questioning the role of the community towards the pre- and post-disaster digitisations of CH. Implemented at TU Delft and supervised by Dr Giorgia Giardina, Cordisk will allow me to acquire and implement new skills and training to develop a novel experimental framework (based on Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality) that can demonstrate that comprehensive phenomenological models of CH can be assembled from and for communities. The models will also represent a living document for tracking the changes in CH over time. These digital replicas are meant to become a critical resource for reacting towards CH involuntarily damaged or lost (e.g., during emergency surveying and rescue). Furthermore, the models can become a vehicle for safeguarding what a community desires to preserve for the future, even after the physical destruction of CH. Altogether, this experimental approach based on novel technologies will represent a mechanism for transferring knowledge from and to the communities for achieving more democratic, resilient and sustainable actions towards the preservation of CH by taking a proactive part in this digital transition.

Mots clés : cultural heritage digitisation, heritage under threat, genius loci, crowdsourcing mechanisms in cultural heritage, risk assessment, preservation of cultural heritage at risk

Participants :
- Université de l'Ouest de l'Angleterre (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet BUGNET (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Marine communities are becoming increasingly disrupted due to anthropogenic climate forcing. These changes are typified by biogeographic range shifts, global biomass declines, community restructuring, and detrimental biological modifications and alterations to organism functionality. It is therefore increasingly pertinent to understand how global marine communities will respond as climate continues to change, and to identify potential tipping points in marine biodiversity which may trigger the collapse of ecosystems beneficial to the livelihood and nutrition of billions of people around the globe. In the modern ocean, the biodiversity distribution of the single-celled protists, the planktonic foraminifera, matches that of organisms fundamental to human populations, such as tuna, squid, and billfish. Novel studies employing networks on the unmatched fossil record of the planktonic foraminifera indicate an equatorward shift in functional communities during the last 8 million years, due to global cooling, whilst other observations now suggest species populations have already begun to shift poleward from their pre-industrial distributions. This poleward shifting may suggest entire food webs may shift poleward, or collapse altogether. We will expand these novel network applications within the planktonic foraminiferal fossil record by applying these methods to all microplankton records (coccolithophores, radiolarians, diatoms, dinoflagellates) to determine the nature of these community shifts to late Cenozoic climate changes. Following this, we will then assess and compare the community patterns of the Last Glacial Period and the pre-industrial Holocene records to determine the abiotic drivers of these distributions. Finally, using ocean models of multiple anthropogenic emission scenarios, we will determine how the structure of global communities may become altered in the near future.

Mots clés : functional, communities, networks, climate models, climate scenarios

Participants :
- Université de Brême (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173847.36 €
Projet Waste2Chem (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The chemical industry is embracing the need for sustainable and eco-friendly processes, with biocatalytic redox reactions emerging as promising candidates due to their ability to perform selective transformations under mild conditions. However, a major hurdle lies in the reliance on traditional stoichiometric electron donors, which pose environmental and economic constraints. Electrochemical approaches, while promising, are still nascent and require specialized infrastructure, limiting their widespread adoption. To overcome these limitations, this project proposes an innovative approach that harnesses water as an electron donor for biocatalytic redox reactions. This shift necessitates external energy input and suitable catalysts to convert the energy into the oxidation power needed to oxidize water. The project introduces a novel strategy of selectively immobilizing biocatalysts on the water oxidation catalyst surface. This approach facilitates efficient electron transfer, minimizes oxidative inactivation of the biocatalysts, and enables easy recycling of the composite catalyst material. The core innovation lies in the design and creation of fusion proteins that link the biocatalysts with anchor peptides using flexible or rigid linkers. This controlled immobilization strategy enhances energy coupling efficiency, mitigates ROS-induced enzyme inactivation, and paves the way for more efficient and sustainable oxyfunctionalization processes. This highly interdisciplinary project, spanning biocatalysis, chemistry, enzyme engineering, and material science, capitalizes on the fellow's proficiency in enzyme engineering and biocatalysis in combination with world-leading expertise of Prof. Frank Hollmann from TU Delft in green chemistry and biocatalytic oxyfunctionalizations.

Mots clés : biocatalysis peroxygenases water oxidation catalysts oxyfunctionalised products anchor peptides sustainable chemistry and technology

Participants :
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232916.16 €
Projet Meta-SMART (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Mechanical metamaterials play a crucial role in various applications, such as shape morphing, soft robotics, and logic elements. However, the control and guidance of transition waves within these materials have primarily been static. The Meta-SMART project aims to revolutionize this by actively controlling and guiding transition waves using piezoelectric and shape memory polymer-based multimaterial active switches integrated into metamaterial unit cells. Unlike traditional methods, Meta-SMART offers dynamic and reversible control, allowing the metamaterials to adapt autonomously and universally. To optimize these smart metamaterials, we will implement a machine learning-based inverse design strategy to determine their geometrical parameters. Fabrication will involve 3D printing, followed by experimental testing of transition wave control and guidance. This innovation promises to advance the industrial applications of mechanical metamaterials, offering adaptability to external forces and desired outcomes. Potential uses include controlled energy absorption and dissipation for airflow control in aircraft, selective energy absorption in protective surfaces, and even treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The Meta-SMART project represents a valuable opportunity to expand my expertise in smart materials and structures, enhancing my research profile through hands-on experience in testing and fabrication. Training activities such as TU Delft's teachers' training program, workshops on supervising research projects, and advanced courses in machine learning and 3D printing, will equip me with the skills needed for a successful academic career in the smart materials and structures field, aligning with my long-term goals.

Mots clés : mechanical metamaterials, wave guide, ml based inverse design, piezoelectric materials

Participants :
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet OrganVOID (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

To address the global climate crisis and achieve carbon neutrality, power electronics using wide bandgap (WBG) and ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors are urgently needed to replace current Si devices for higher energy efficiency. However, existing die-attach technologies derived from Si devices tend to fail at high temperatures (>175°C), slowing the development of WBG/UWBG devices. Here, we propose a novel antioxidant Cu sintering nanopaste, using reducing organics and precise void control in die attachments (DA), to produce DA with superior properties and reliability performance compared to state-of-the-art sintering pastes. This two-year project will involve multiple disciplines, including physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and computer science, employing methods such as multi-scale simulations, antioxidant Cu nanopaste synthesis, advanced materials characterisation for 3D microstructure construction of DA, sintering process development, and cutting-edge reliability evaluation techniques. Crucially, first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations will be combined to model the evolution and diffusion/bonding behaviour of organic additives at sintering necks at the atomic level, guiding the formulation design of Cu nanopastes. In addition, a hybrid finite element method (FEM), coupled with void characteristics, microstructure, and multi-field effects (electric, thermal, and mechanical), will be developed for the accurate lifetime prediction (accuracy: >90%) of Cu sintering joints in WBG devices. The aim is to create an antioxidant Cu nanopaste capable of directly sintering a reliable DA with a shear strength of over 25 MPa at low temperatures (<250°C), in air and without the need for pressure or a protective atmosphere. This work could significantly advance the replacement of conventional Si power electronics with WBG and UWBG devices, greatly improving energy efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Mots clés : power electronics die attachments cu sintering pastes organics void control reliability sintering mechanism

Participants :
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232916.16 €
Projet RECHERCHE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Harnessing solar energy through photocatalytic CO2 reduction (PCR) is a promising means to address the escalating environmental challenges and energy crises simultaneously. One of the primary challenges in photocatalysis and PCR is the issue of charge carrier recombination within semiconductor heterojunctions. While these heterostructures promise to improve charge separation, internal recombination processes can undermine their efficiency. To address this challenge, the proposal describes a novel method for optimizing charge carrier diffusion lengths within materials. This strategy involves a two-step process. The first step is to prepare each semiconductor component individually, with particle size proportional to charge carrier diffusion length, and then assemble them using the electrostatic self-assembly technique to fabricate tandem Z scheme heterostructures. Balancing the generation of electrons within heterojunction systems is another critical factor in achieving efficient charge transfer. The proposal suggests considering the optical absorption coefficient of semiconductors within the heterojunction, drawing inspiration from the solar cell field. This approach can potentially revolutionize heterojunction design and enhance the charge carrier separation and the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The overarching research objective is to understand the limitations of current heterogeneous photocatalysts and design novel tandem Z scheme photocatalysts. The focus is optimizing absorption coefficients and diffusion lengths and constructing novel tandem Z scheme configurations. Advanced analytical techniques will validate the success of these heterostructures, contributing to the development of efficient photocatalytic systems. These innovations promise enhanced charge transfer, redox potential optimization, and overall performance in the context of photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Mots clés : heterogeneous photocatalyst charge carrier diffusion lengths absorption coefficient tandem z scheme heterojunction photocatalytic co2 reduction perovskites

Participants :
- Université technique de Munich (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 217965.12 €