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

Ocean mixing plays a crucial role in the Earth’s climate as it balances the meridional overturning circulation that buffers global warming. Quantifying mixing is challenging because energy enters the ocean at basin-scale but it dissipates at cm-scale over the vast ocean. One common element in the cascade of energy towards small scales is the transfer of energy to internal waves, which ultimately drive ocean mixing. Energy transfers to the internal wave field are largely enhanced through flow interactions with topography. Observations of wave-topographic interactions are, however, scarce and its mechanistic understanding comes mainly from idealized process ocean studies, which lack a direct benchmark against nature. To fill the observational gap in ocean mixing, the MOORING project will explore wave-topographic interactions at unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution by combining novel submarine cable data with numerical advanced modelling. New data will be gathered using fibre-optic cables by means of a revolutionary technology, which has opened a new door for exploring bottom wave dynamics. The potential of these novel observations to identify ocean-mixing hotspots in the ocean remains, however, unknown. To shed light on this, I will gather conventional oceanographic measurements and integrate them in realistic high-resolution numerical simulations, leveraging my modelling skills. The MOORING project will bridge seismology and oceanography, integrating a variety of approaches, and it will allow me to be trained in observational methods at the hosting institution, while expanding my numerical skills in a secondment institution, fostering a network of national and international collaborators. The proposed approach could eventually be implemented at global scale with the aim to better close energy budgets and improve mixing parametrizations in climate change models for more accurate predictions.

Mots clés : ocean mixing, internal tides, continental margins, wave topographic interactions, distributed acoustic sensing, submarine fiber optic cables, ocean turbulence

Participants :
- Institut de recherche Scripps (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 165312.96 €
Projet Bio2SAF (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Lignocellulose is the largest renewable carbon source that does not compete with food, or land and can be catalytically converted into fuels. Accessing such high-value chemicals and biofuels is challenging due to the high strength of C-O and C-H bonds, requiring high-energy or multi-reaction steps. Thus, the strategic frontier of the Bio2SAF project aims to design a novel multifunctional single-atom catalyst utilizing densely and selectively functionalized graphene for sustainable fuels by cascade condensation and hydrodeoxygenation on non-noble metal heterogeneous catalysts. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) may effectively perform HDO due to the selective adsorption of reactants on highly exposed active sites due to the lower density of state (DOS) near the Fermi level than the bulk catalysts. Bio2SAF develops in three pillars: development of tandem Oxophilic single atom super doped graphene: SD-G-SACs-I (M1: Ti, Mo, W, Nb, Zr for acidic functions & Mg, Ca for basic catalysis) for condensation. This design aims at the efficient production of longer condensed species from the bio-derived components to cyclic and non-cyclic alkanes in the range of C9-C16 at high selectivity. The second pillar aims at the development of tandem non-noble metal single atom super doped graphene: SD-G-SACs-MII (M2: Ni, Cu, Co, Fe etc.) for hydrodeoxygenation of aldol condensation products. The third pillar focuses on development of graphene derivatives structurally and chemically tailored with dense MI and MII-type SACs for cascade reactions. By levering the know-how and documented expertise of the host institution on graphene chemistry and single metal atom engineering and of the experienced researcher on biomass valorization and catalysis, Bio2SAF will apply and expand these concepts towards sustainable production of fuels from waste biomass. The Bio2SAF project will thus tackle pressing societal needs to develop technologies for decreasing our dependence on depleting fossil fuel reserves

Mots clés : biomass, sustainable fuels, single atom catalysts, densely functionalised graphene, cacade condensation and hydrogenation, catalytic transfer hydrogenation

Participants :
- Université technique d'Ostrava (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166278.72 €
Projet STARS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Over 300 molecules have been identified in interstellar space, ranging from simple H2 to complex organic molecules such as ethanolamine. In the extreme conditions of interstellar space, gas-phase reactions alone cannot explain their formation, and ice-covered dust particles are believed to play a crucial role. However, little is known about the precise mechanisms of interaction between interstellar gas and icy dust particles, or how these ice surfaces might "catalyze" the necessary chemical reactions. In particular, the effect of charge remains poorly understood. The STARS project aims to establish a new framework to investigate these interactions on both neutral and charged ice particles using state-of-the-art computational techniques. I will construct representative ice structures, calculate binding energies of astrochemically relevant molecules, and compute free energy profiles and rate coefficients for a paradigmatic set of reactions. In collaboration with leading experts in the field, I will also assess the impact of these interactions on resulting gas-phase abundances, enabling accurate benchmarking against experimental data. This interdisciplinary project bridges astrochemistry and surface science, with the potential to deepen our understanding of how interstellar icy dust particles drive the chemical evolution of the universe. To achieve the objectives of the STARS project, I will conduct my research at the University of Antwerp’s Chemistry Department under the supervision of Prof. Neyts, a leading expert in molecular simulations. This project will also strengthen my academic profile, preparing me for advanced funding opportunities and enabling me to establish my own research group.

Mots clés : astrochemistry, molecular processes, computational chemistry

Participants :
- Université d'Anvers (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 216240.0 €
Projet GOLFatDue (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Asphalt recycling is globally important for its environmental and economic benefits, including reduced CO2 emissions, conservation of natural resources, and cost savings. The growing demand for sustainable solutions has accelerated the adoption of reclaimed asphalt (RA) recycling techniques, promoting a circular economy and supporting the EU's 2050 Climate Neutrality goals. Ensuring durability and service life is crucial for efficient RA recycling, but the complex components in recycled mixtures pose challenges. Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Asphalt (FRRA) has emerged to address these challenges, yet current research largely focuses on experimental mechanics, leaving fatigue debonding mechanisms insufficiently understood. Factors such as material type, construction conditions, and environmental impacts complicate fatigue behaviour analysis. Bridging the gap in understanding long-term performance is vital for optimizing FRRA materials. The MSCA-GOLFatDue project aims to tackle these challenges through innovative research in four areas: (1) investigating material interaction mechanisms and their impact on fatigue debonding, (2) developing a trans-scale computational model for accurate fatigue life prediction, (3) creating a validated evaluation protocol for optimizing FRRA compositions and structures, and (4) developing new sustainable, durable recycled asphalt materials for industrial applications. The GOLFatDue project enables Dr. Ren to explore the fatigue and durability of FRRA materials by combining fundamental scientific research at three prestigious European universities (University of Antwerp, University of Nottingham, and University of Lyon) with industrial applications. This project will advance European research on green infrastructures and sustainable construction materials, contributing to the Circular Economy Action Plan and paving the way toward a carbon-neutral road industry.

Mots clés : fiber reinforced recycled asphalt, fatigue behaviour, durability characterisation, multiscale numerical modelling, sustainability

Participants :
- Université de Nottingham (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- École nationale des travaux publics de l'État (France) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université d'Anvers (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200400.0 €
Projet HYCEM (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds, are drawing serious global attention due to their persistent nature in the environment and potential health implications. To address these challenges, I haveHYCEM is centered on the development of an innovative Z-scheme photocatalytic membrane optimized for the degradation of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in water. Furthermore, this project aims to improve the heterojunction structure by applying surface engineering which results in dendritic morphology and unique electron transfer channels. By harnessing a hybrid system of degradation and separation by developing a metal-organic framework (MOF) photocatalytic heterojunction, immobilized on a PDOT membrane with the epitaxial growth method, HYCEM will overcome challenges related to low photoactivation, rapid charge recombination, limited surface area, and stability. Emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), are drawing global attention due to their persistent nature and potential health implications. Addressing this, the integrated HYCEM system not only promises effective CEC degradation but also eliminates intermediate by-products—mitigating secondary pollution, optimizing photocatalyst reuse and coping with the challenges of the commercial application. A pioneering facet of HYCEM is its ability to utilize visible light for degradation, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional energy-intensive UV light methods. Additionally, this project will enrich our knowledge on CEC degradation pathways, presenting invaluable data for future chemical oxidative treatments. Beyond the technical advancements, HYCEM also emphasizes my training, enhancing my skills in diverse aspects of management and leadership to a high level, ensuring I gain both specialized knowledge in the field and broader competencies that will significantly improve my professional development.

Mots clés : photocatalysis, micropollutants, membrane, visible light, epitaxial growth

Participants :
- Université d'Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 191760.0 €
Projet InSpeech (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Inner speech is a cognitive process of silent communication with oneself. Inner speech is driven by natural language and thus is deeply rooted in human culture while it pursues such cognitive functions as thinking, memory, planning, etc. In order to reach a more holistic knowledge of our inner voice, it requires integrating the approaches of semiotics, culture studies, linguistics, psychology and neuroscience. Exploring the functions and experience of inner speech in everyday situations drives the development of inner speech methodologies and raises the awareness of the role of culture in human cognition. One of the distinguishing features of human cognition is its unique problem solving ability. While previous research has indicated the connections between inner speech and problem solving, it remains unclear whether inner speech is experienced similarly in different types of problem solving, such as analytical problem solving or a sudden Aha! effect. The given research project explores whether the specific dimensions of inner speech (inner speaking and inner hearing) and its phenomenological properties (dialogic, condensed, etc.) can be associated with insight, or Aha! effect, and analytical types of problem solving. The research will integrate methodological paradigms from insight, semiotics and inner speech studies to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the experience of inner speech in insight and non-insight problem solving during an empirical experiment. The project aims at providing the applicant with interdisciplinary training, strengthening of the previous experience and widening career perspectives in the EU. The results of the project will explore the underlying connections between inner speech and insight problem solving, expanding our understanding of the role of natural language in human cognition. The project will also drive the public awareness of the inner speech and facilitate the development of new research methodologies for its exploration.

Mots clés : inner speech, insight, aha effect, problem solving, semiotics, vygotsky, cognitive psychology

Participants :
- Université de Durham (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 191760.0 €
Projet SPS_Nano (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Precise manipulation of colloidal particles is essential to foster nanotechnology applications in chemistry, materials, biology, and devices. Fundamental insights into their dispersion, assembly, and reactivity, enable precise engineering of advanced materials and the development of innovative nanoscale devices, thus revolutionizing fields ranging from catalysis to electronics. For instance, colloidal particles with antagonistic electrophoresis (DEP) properties can be selectively inserted into a nanocapillary. When considering nanoparticles as carriers of data in a medium like water, arranging them in a specific sequence in the nanocapillary enables data storage. The feasibility of this particle storage relies on the ability to visualize and manipulate the nanoscale motions of the nanoparticles. One of the most sensitive and accurate ways to track particle movement is by monitoring individual particle fluorescence in optical microscopes, which is crucial for non-invasive imaging of particles in any colloidal environment. SPS_Nano aims to develop a three-dimensional dynamical imaging method to track and understand the controlled motion of nanoparticles using dielectrophoresis. This colloidal data storage is an alternative to current state-of-the-art solid-state devices which have fundamental limits to the scaling potential hindering the way to cost-effective memories. SPS_Nano lays the foundation of colloidal data storage technology which can enable low-cost high-density memory by reducing the particle size and increasing the nanocapillary aspect ratios in the future.

Mots clés : single particle tracking, dielectrophoresis, colloidal nanoparticle, optical trapping, data storage

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175920.0 €
Projet HEABC (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In the proposed project, we will study high entropy alloy (HEA) materials as an alternative to noble metals for liquid phase biomass processing. Non noble metal catalysts suffer from stability issues during liquid phase biomass transformation, owing to sintering, oxidation induced leaching, poisoning. Noble metal catalysts are often used in hydrogenation, hydrodeoxygenation reactions of biomass derived oxygenates, making the process expensive, which is one of the reasons why biomass derived products are not widely adopted in industry yet. We believe HEAs of non-noble metals can solve this problem. This project combines the researcher's expertise in material science and advanced characterization methods with the host's knowledge of biomass conversion and is further enriched by the co-supervisor's background in theoretical chemistry. Together, these strengths will drive the development of new sustainable catalytic materials for biomass conversion.

Mots clés : high entropy alloy, heterogeneous catalysis, biomass conversion, non noble metal, spectroscopic characterizations

Participants :
- Université de technologie d'Eindhoven (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 216240.0 €
Projet MOPOWER (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The European Green Deal sets ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Achieving these goals requires innovative solutions, with renewable hydrogen emerging as a key strategy. As a clean and versatile energy carrier, renewable hydrogen offers a promising pathway to decarbonize sectors such as transportation, industry, and energy storage, making it ideal for meeting the Green Deal's climate objectives. However, the production of renewable hydrogen is currently limited by the efficiency of electrolysis technologies, particularly those involving proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. These systems, while effective, are constrained by low thermal stability and reduced efficiency at higher temperatures, which also hinders the broader adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs). To address these challenges, the MOPOWER project aims to develop advanced metal-organic glasses (MOGs) as a new class of proton conductors. Using a bottom-up strategy, MOPOWER seeks to design MOGs tailored for intermediate-temperature electrolysis (150–250°C) and high-temperature PEM fuel cells (100–180°C). These materials offer superior proton conductivity, thermal stability, and exceptional processability, allowing them to be easily shaped into defect-free, high-performance membranes. This modularity and ease of fabrication are critical for scaling up production and integrating MOGs into practical PEM systems. Through this innovative approach, MOPOWER aims to overcome the current limitations of renewable hydrogen production, supporting the transition to a sustainable, climate-neutral future. The MOPOWER bridges the candidate's strong background in conductive porous materials with the host group's extensive experience in microfabrication, making it a feasible undertaking.

Mots clés : metal organic glasses, proton conductivity, high temperature electrolyzers, fuel cells, and renewable hydrogen

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200400.0 €
Projet GRAPHMOF (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Molecularly engineered materials obtained via the sequential combination of different nanomaterials is an encouraging methodological approach. Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer a platform that allows the construction of unique heterostructures with a diversity of physical and chemical properties. Most of the 2D heterostructures are composed of direct stacking of discrete monolayer fragments of individual materials. Although this method allows flexibility, it is sluggish, cumbersome, and mechanically weak. Instead, covalent functionalization provides stability and robustness to the heterostructure. GRAPHMOF is to elucidate the detailed structure of 2D MOF nanosheets covalently affixed with monolayer graphene and MoS2 using scanning probe microscopy. I will employ state-of-the-art scanning probe microscopy to unravel the nanoscale interfacial structure of 2D-2D heterostructures. The fundamental information obtained from the microscopy measurements will be employed to assess the influence of the heterostructures of the 2DMOF on either graphene and/or MoS2 electronic structure using Raman and PL spectroscopy. A clearer understanding and effective use of covalent bond formation could lead to the development of functional surfaces with potential applications in optoelectronic, supercapacitors and sensors.  GRAPHMOF will allow me to pursue a highly innovative research line in surface science, providing me a perfect platform for my personal development in terms of research and training in a topic of key importance, i.e., 2D materials, direct covalent functionalization, and state-to-the-art imaging techniques. This project will also allow me to strengthen my teamwork and leadership skills as well as widen my scientific network and collaborations. In summary, this MSCA allowance will be a positive turning point in my academic career toward scientific excellence.

Mots clés : scanning tunneling microscopy, covalent functionalization, self assembly, 2d 2d heterostructures, molecular interactions

Participants :
- Université de Strasbourg (France) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 216240.0 €