Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet FOREST-CHAINS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Agricultural expansion continues to drive the loss of tropical forests, resulting in huge social-ecological trade-offs, including biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, and the erosion of the resource base of forest-dependent communities. Halting deforestation has thus become a global policy goal but is currently hindered by four main knowledge gaps, all of which this action will address. First, not all tropical forests are equal, and many are degraded, but where remaining high-nature-value (HNV) forests are is often unknown. Second, many forest conservation tools are available, but their effectiveness in protecting HNV forests is unclear. Third, supply-chain interventions are potentially powerful, but missing supply-chain data limits their application. Finally, the relative importance of domestic vs. foreign consumption is often unknown. Focussing on the South American Chaco, an understudied global deforestation hotspot, this action will use state-of-the-art remote sensing, impact evaluation, and supply-chain analyses to provide the first assessments of the distribution of HNV forests in the Chaco, which policy options effectively protect them, and what the environmental footprints of domestically used vs. traded forest-risk commodities produced are. Through the action, the ER will broaden his research scope, acquire new technical and transferable skills, and train leadership ability. Together, this will make him a very competitive candidate for independent positions in sustainability science. The outcomes of the action include high-impact publications as well as policy-relevant information delivered to key stakeholders in South America and Europe through various dissemination pathways. Overall, this action will impact our understanding of the status and governance of HNV forests in the neglected dry tropics, which is critical for the EU’s due diligence initiatives seeking clean supply chains, and for maintaining social-ecological integrity in the Global South.

Mots clés : supply chains, environmental governance, forest conservation, remote sensing, tropical dry forests, indigenous peoples

Participants :
- Stockholm Environment Institute (Suède) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université catholique de Louvain (Belgique) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université Humboldt de Berlin (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173847.36 €
Projet ReYouth_Types (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In 2020, the OECD estimated that circa 38 million buildings in Europe were empty, exposing underlying governance weaknesses for adapting and reusing empty buildings. This needs to be put into perspective with circa 700,000 homeless youth living rough or in emergency lodging each night in Europe. An obvious societal paradox, therefore, exists between the high availability of empty buildings and youth homelessness, calling for a more inclusive and cohesive social dwelling model. These challenges are not new, and architecture has long attempted to solve them through, for example, segregated clustering of architectural types-buildings such as Montagu Burgoyne youth pastoral colony (1829, Potton, UK). My research project, however, aims to critically compare successful contemporary architectural types-buildings of So Stay Hotel (2016, Gdańsk, Poland), Intersectional City House (2016, Wien, Austria), Rukkila (2008, Helsinki, Finland) and Pieter de Raadtstraat 35 & 37 (2014, Rotterdam, Netherlands), their morphologies, programmes of activities, design processes, experiences, ownership structures, governances offering novel socially inclusive collective dwelling-work-trainings models for homeless youth through the use of empty buildings.  Through a 2-year fellowship at Polimi - under the supervision of Prof Carolina Pacchi, a leading expert in European cities’ development, a 3-month secondment at TU Delft and a 4-month non-academic placement with ‘Avanzi’ - involving on-site archival research, post-occupancy, semi-structured qualitative interview and co-design methods, I intend to conceive a theoretical framework on ‘ReYouth Types’ and to implement ‘ReYouth Types toolkit’, a new set of design principles. Thus, I will provide European educators, urban and architectural designers, local authorities and civil society with a research and design instrument to reduce the social exclusion of homeless youth while increasing awareness through the adaptive reuse of empty buildings.

Mots clés : adaptive reuse of empty buildings architectural types

Participants :
- Avanzi spa societa benefit (Italie) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- École polytechnique de Milan (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 225917.16 €
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet FORESEEN (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The objective of FORESEEN (Fostering the transitiOn foR sustainablE and circular bio-fuelS: an Eco-labEl and moNitoring tool as a guidance for policies) is to design, implement and validate a digitalised toolkit and an eco-label aimed at improving and ensuring compliance with decarbonization strategies, policies, and regulations and promoting sustainable and circular biofuel technologies and value chains. The toolkit's architecture will be developed with consideration of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) and circularity frameworks and integrating data science for enhanced data analysis and predictive modelling. The eco-label will certify biofuel technologies and value chains that meet sustainability, circularity, and safety standards. The integration of policies, circular bioeconomy indicators, SSbD framework, and digitalization within the FORESEEN project toolkit and eco-label will drive the adoption of advanced sustainable biofuel technologies and value chains.

Mots clés : safe and sustainable by design circularity biofuels eco label digitalized tool

Participants :
- Université Nationale Technique d'Athènes (Grèce) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet UPOxArene (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

UPOXARENE is an interdisciplinary project combining organic synthesis, biocatalysis, and protein engineering, to realise the elusive epoxidation of arenes in a single step using engineered unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs). The compatibility of UPOs with organic media will be exploited to expand their chemistry beyond the aromatic hydroxylation accessible with cytochrome P450s. The utility of the method will be demonstrated through the preparation of industrially relevant products in continuous chemo-enzymatic cascades, in alignment with the principles set out in the MSCA Green Charter. UPOXARENE will promote biotechnology through the citizen-science initiative Peroxynauts, encouraging students from all backgrounds to pursue careers in the life sciences.

Mots clés : biocatalysis, flow chemistry

Participants :
- Icp -instituto de catálisis y petroleoquímica (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet CoAUTHOR (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Improving the efficiency and resilience of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry is pivotal for the EU; in this frame, process flow diagram (PFD) design and retrofitting play a crucial role. Currently, it is executed by engineers leveraging their knowledge and engineering context, using a time-consuming iterative approach. On the other hand, AI-driven PFD design has proven outstanding capabilities in generating new process configurations. Despite being a promising technology, current approaches rely on training a new model when designing a process without leveraging process engineering information. Inserting such information would give the agent the optimisation context, improving the efficiency of the generated PFD and removing the need for retraining on each new design. However, such an integration requires investigating the best approach to inform the agent in the engineering context. This action wants to fill this gap by using a multidisciplinary approach combining reinforcement learning (RL) with chemical process optimisation and chemical properties predictions. The main project outcome is an AI agent able to design PFDs and retrofit existing ones without retraining while informed of the design aim and engineering context. The project will investigate the most suitable techniques for integrating chemical components and reaction properties into RL training for PFD design and retrofitting. The results of CoAUTHOR will advance our understanding of context-aware RL for chemical applications and generate an extensive toolkit for AI-driven PFD generation, paving the way toward a more sustainable and resilient chemical industry. In this action, I will combine my background in AI application in the chemical industrial domain with the expertise of the host research group in AI-driven PFD generation at TU Delft while acquiring skills in representing physicochemical properties via AI techniques during my secondment at ETH.

Mots clés : chemical process generation, process flowsheet design, process intensification, physicochemical properties, chemical process retrofitting

Participants :
- École polytechnique fédérale de Zurich (Suisse) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de technologie de Delft (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 217076.16 €
Projet ES-FLUX (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Non-invasive, high-resolution imaging of biological systems often requires optical microscopy. Since overcoming the diffraction barrier, optical nanoscopy, or super-resolution microscopy, with up to ~1-10 nm resolution can be used for imaging immobilized or live biological samples. The final frontier of optical nanoscopy is high-throughput, true molecular imaging (~1 nm precision) in dynamic, high-mobility systems. Currently, the most promising nanoscopy methods employ modulation-enhanced localization microscopy. However, these are compromised either in throughput or in spatiotemporal precision. This trade-off is due to a sensor choice focused on rich temporal (realizing high localization precision) or rich spatial (realizing high throughput) information. A novel sensor architecture, event-based sensors, merges these choices by measuring changes in photon flux on a megapixel-sized chip with asynchronously recorded microsecond-precise timestamped events. With ES-FLUX, I will combine patterned sinusoidal illumination patterns with event-based single-molecule localization microscopy. This will break the stalemate between high throughput and high precision in modulation-enhanced localization microscopy. The spatiotemporal single-molecule event patterns will be analysed separately in the temporal and in the spatial domains, and as such ES-FLUX will improve the resolution compared to traditional single-molecule localization microscopy. It paves the way for molecular precision whilst allowing the high experimental throughput associated with full-frame camera acquisition. Further improvements in the computational analysis and optomechanical setup expands ES-FLUX towards single-particle tracking and spectral multiplexing. In conclusion, ES-FLUX merges modulation-enhanced single-molecule localization microscopy with event-based sensor acquisition and as such expands the boundaries of optical nanoscopy.

Mots clés : nanoscopy, single molecule localization microscopy, structured illumination, imaging, optical microscopy, super resolution microscopy

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

Global warming and air pollution are urgent challenges facing humanity. Atmospheric aerosol particles contribute to both by affecting air quality, cloud formation, and the absorption and reflection of sunlight. Increasingly, the atmosphere is shaped by organic rather than inorganic chemistry. While initiatives like the European Green Deal have reduced inorganic emissions, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from biogenic and anthropogenic sources are on the rise. These VOCs react to form oxidized compounds that drive aerosol particle formation. Understanding the molecular processes leading to particle formation is crucial for tackling climate change and improving air quality, with accurate compound identification being a key component of this effort. However, atmospheric science currently lacks the tools and infrastructure to identify most compounds in aerosol samples collected in field campaigns. The main challenge is the absence of reference standards for atmospheric compounds in mass spectral (MS) libraries, which are needed to match unknown spectra with known references. Experimentally creating such a library is difficult due to the lack of reference samples and the large number and reactive nature of atmospheric compounds.  Through CLOUDMAP, I will address these challenges by creating an MS library using computational methods. I will develop a comprehensive dataset of mass spectra of pure atmospheric compounds via simulations, alongside a machine learning tool for enhanced compound identification. This tool will be used to identify unknown compounds from aerosol samples collected during field campaigns. By integrating quantum chemical MS simulations, machine learning, and atmospheric science, CLOUDMAP will advance the digitization of atmospheric chemistry, improve the understanding of aerosol formation, and contribute to both climate change mitigation and improved air quality.

Mots clés : machine learning compound identification mass spectral library fragmentation mass spectrometry mass spectrometry simulations semi empirical quantum chemistry oxidized organic compounds

Participants :
- Université technique de Munich (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 202125.12 €
Projet BiSTeC (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Advances in green energy materials and technologies are mandated by low-carbon energy policies. Clean energy harvesting, conversion, and storage from the sun and waste heat is viewed as a major player to tackle environmental issues and energy shortages. A solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) collects solar energy & converts it into electricity using the principles of the Seebeck effect. Among the biogenic polymers applied to STEG, cellulose-based composite phase change materials (PCM) stand out since the 3Ddirectional cellulose-based composite structure provides ideal energy storage and improves heat transfer pathways. However, they still feature issues related to the low absorption coefficient, limited thermal conductivity, and low self-stability (storage and mechanical stress). Design of BiSTeC promises enhanced cellulose-based PCMs merging i) fluorescent proteins (FPs) to simultaneously enhance solar energy absorption and photo-induced heat generation, ii) nano-carbon additives to enhance heat transport, and iii) Synergic effect of cellulose, FPs and nanocarbon boost output stable performance of PCM based STEG. My expertise in the synthesis and enhancement of thermal properties of nanocomposite PCM and the host supervisor's expertise (Prof. Costa at the Technical University of Munich – TUM) on fluorescent protein (FP)-polymer coatings for photon-manipulation could provide an innovative twist in the field (design of efficient biogenic PCM based BiSTeC devices).

Mots clés : composite phase change materials, cellulose, fluorescent proteins, solar energy storage, thermoelectric conversion

Participants :
- Université technique de Munich (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 217965.12 €
Projet ElectroAD (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

The overuse or misuse of antibiotics has caused new pollution challenges and the development of antibiotic bacteria. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is sustainable biotechnology that can couple waste pollution control and bioenergy methane (CH4) recovery. However, AD fails to achieve satisfactory antibiotic removal due to the low concentration and low biodegradability of antibiotics, and the high toxicity of antibiotics on microbial activity. To address these scientific challenges, in this project, we aim to develop a novel hybrid electro-AD system by coupling the application of external voltage and the addition of activated carbon for the enhancement of antibiotic removal and renewable bioenergy recovery. The novel hybrid electro-AD system will synergistically incorporate high adsorption capacity by activated carbon, high biodegradability of antibiotics by bioelectrochemical reduction, and high methanogenic activity mediated by extracellular electron transfer (EET). An excellent array of multidisciplinary methods incorporating electrochemistry, bioinformatics, and molecular biology will be applied to achieve this objective and unravel underlying mechanisms of enhanced EET and antibiotics removal. The results will further create new knowledge of microbial ecological function in AD and advance the application of anaerobic technology to crucial environmental protection scenarios. Combining my background with the training of advanced instruments offered by the host (Dr. Guangxue Wu at NUI Galway) and expertise in quantifying trace compounds from the secondment (Dr. Konrad Koch at TUM), this project will lead to the realization of new anaerobic biotechnology that can achieve simultaneous energy recovery and efficient antibiotic removal, contributing to scientific, societal, and economic impacts. Being an independent investigator of this project, this fellowship will provide an excellent chance for me to become an independent research group leader in my future career.

Mots clés : antibiotics, methanogenesis, anaerobic digestion, bioelectrochemistry

Participants :
- Université nationale d'Irlande à Galway (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 199694.4 €
- Université technique de Munich (Allemagne) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MACROS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that gradually degrades the cartilage joints, affecting more than 50 million people in Europe. With no known treatment, this population is at risk of lower quality of life and permanent disability. The chondrocyte is a native cell in the cartilage joints that has been studied as a promising cell therapy agent for early-stage OA. Recently, by using a stimuli-responsive (SR) culture plate, many cell types can be prepared as a sheet-like cluster (cell sheet) analogous to the native biological tissue, entailing the enhanced regenerative efficacy when used as cell therapy. However, it is challenging to prepare the chondrocyte cell sheet, as the chondrocyte gradually loses the cartilage feature upon being cultured on the stiff SR plate. In this project, I aim to prepare the cartilage-like chondrocyte cell sheet by developing an innovative technique that is premised on the tuning of substrate stiffness during the cell culture stage. I will focus on three objectives: (1) to develop a new cell sheet-fabrication substrate that has the magnetically tunable stiffness, (2) to study the proof-of-concept of the tunable stiffness technique for modifying the model cell sheet activities, and (3) to apply this dynamic technique to obtain the cartilage-like chondrocyte cell sheet of which its regenerative efficacy against early-stage OA will be evaluated. To perform this project, I will draw from and extend upon my current expertise and works in biomaterial development and stiffness-cell interaction, with that of academic host Prof. Berensmeier (magnetic nanotechnology) and of industrial partner Dr. Vonk (cartilage cell therapy). This synergized academic-industry partnership will continue to the non-academic placement, wherein I will undertake the next-stage preclinical developments of chondrocyte cell sheets in a deeper and more relevant context of OA treatment. The proposed project gives a great contribution to the OA-stricken European society.

Mots clés : magnetic responsive hydrogels, magnetic nanoparticles, supramolecular hydrogel, ureidopyrimidinone, tunable stiffness, articular cartilage, chondrocyte cell, cell sheet, cell therapy, osteoarthritis

Participants :
- Co.don ag (Allemagne) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Université technique de Munich (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 217309.2 €