Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet BuildingControls (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The renewable energy penetration targets set by EU and US necessitate a radical change in the way we operate the electric power grid. Conventional power grid was designed around dispatchable central power plants at a transmission level providing services down to industrial, commercial and residential end-users at a distribution level. Increased penetration of the intermittent and uncertain renewable energy sources effectively implies additional load and generation flexibility is required at multiple time-scales to ensure safe and stable operation of the electric grid. Since conventional generation is increasingly displaced by renewables, this additional flexibility can no longer be sourced solely from conventional plants. According to the International Energy Agency, buildings are responsible for about 40% of the global energy consumption, and about 50% of the energy used in a building is accounted for by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Thus, improving operational efficiency of HVAC systems will results in large savings in the energy consumption. Moreover, buildings present a unique opportunity as flexible loads that can be controlled to provide ancillary services to the electric power grid, and thus enable high penetration of renewables. High thermal capacity of large commercial buildings allow real-time control of their HVAC systems to regulate electricity demand as required for grid stability, without effecting the quality of service in the building significantly. In this project, our objective is to develop (1) novel scalable optimal control algorithms that reduce building peak load and energy consumption, (2) a distributed control framework for coordinating multiple buildings as flexible energy resources for ancillary services, and (3) tools for assessing the performance of this framework from economic, environmental and sustainability perspectives.

Mots clés : renewable energy penetration, ancillary services, flexible loads, model predictive control, distributed control, exergy, sustainability

Participants :
- Yaşar University (Turquie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 157845.6 €
Projet DARE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : MSCA other
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The request of financial support to cover the additional costs that researchers/staff members with disabilities face due to the increased costs of their mobility and/or to ensure necessary assistance by third persons or for adapting their work environment.

Mots clés : disability, special needs, reduced vision

Participants :
- University of Iceland (Islande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 9687.5 €
Projet TDL2Ho (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The research activities planned will be devoted to development, test and characterization of novel thin-disk structures based on epitaxially grown monoclinic double tungstate crystals for use in high average /peak power all-solid-state laser systems operating in the important 2-µm spectral range. Laser gain will rely on the Holmium (Ho) trivalent ion which is potentially very suitable for high energy due to its advantageous spectroscopic features. The latter allow one to excite it directly into the upper laser level, producing less heat and enabling power scaling with diode pumping. Moreover, wavelengths slightly above 2 µm, emitted from such tunable Ho-lasers, are attractive for various applications.

Mots clés : thin disk lasers, high power lasers, double tungstates, epitaxial structures

Participants :
- Forschungsverbund Berlin (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171460.8 €
Projet IceAq (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The research addressing glacier evolution under climate change is well developed, looking not only at changes in mass balance, but also at the associated effects on basal and downstream hydrology. However, aftermath changes to the groundwater component are rarely considered, even though evolving groundwater recharge, discharge and storage will be required to forecast the evolution of water resources and of water-related hazards under climate change. This knowledge gap is the object of IceAq. IceAq will focus on 4 outlet glaciers of the Vatnajökull, the main icelandic icecap, which retreat under climate change is already documented. In addition to gathering of existing data (from geology to climatology), new data will be acquired on the field, mainly to characterise groundwater. Based on those data-sets, local comprehensive numerical models will be build, and then be integrated into a regional one, which will allow more realistic hydrogeological simulations, and the input of future climate scenarios. The scientific perspective is threefold: achievement of an operational understanding and quantification of unknown or poorly known aquifer systems in glacial context, prediction of their hydrodynamic response to climate change, and exploration of the potential role of glacier-aquifer interactions in the mechanism of deep recharge and formation of offshore fresh groundwater stocks in littoral zones. Outputs of the project will provide first answers to those interrogations, and be disseminated in the scientific community but also to the general audience through a participatory approach. The developed methodology will be applied in the future to other glaciated systems in different contexts. Dr Vincent and the glaciology group of IES, UoI, have very complementary expertise, essential for this project. The planned research and training is expected to allow Dr Vincent to reach her career objectives and will offer her host new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations

Mots clés : aquifer, groundwater, glacier, hydrogeological numerical simulation

Participants :
- University of Iceland (Islande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 184239.36 €
Projet EuroDag (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The researcher is moving from Italy to Newcastle University (United Kingdom) to carry out EuroDag, the first ever comparative study of the function of early European stone and copper/bronze daggers, c. 3800-1500 BC. The EuroDag project aims to understand how early daggers were used, for what purposes, and in which social contexts, while also exploring whether meaningful functional differences could be discerned amongst this broad class of objects based on manufacturing technology, chronology, typology, or regional distribution. The research problem will be addressed through an original combination of museum- and lab-based microwear analysis (to be conducted on 300 prehistoric flint and copper/bronze daggers from Italy, central Europe and Iberia) and wide-ranging functional experiments with purpose-built replica daggers. The importance of the project is threefold: (1) this is the first comprehensive functional analysis of a class of objects that, though widespread in Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Europe, is still poorly understood; (2) it is the first attempt ever made to examine both flint and metal daggers as a coherent set of artefacts; and (3) it is the first time that a researcher tries to develop a unified experimental and analytical methodology for the investigation of both stone and metal objects from world prehistory. The research will dramatically reshape the agenda of European prehistory by revealing the functional basis of the social significance and fortune of early daggers. Whilst working on the project, the researcher will acquire new skills in prehistoric metallurgy, experimental archaeology, and metalwork wear analysis; she will also develop valuable experience in teaching and lecturing, academic writing, and public outreach. In turn, she will transfer her considerable specialist knowledge of prehistoric lithic industries, and her remarkable microwear analysis skillset, to the host institution, where such expertise does not currently exist.

Mots clés : european prehistory, material culture studies, archaeological science, microwear analysis, experimental archaeology, neolithic and early bronze age europe, early daggers

Participants :
- Newcastle University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet CAT-FFLAP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Currently, there is a vast amount of research activity taking place into the development of new materials having unconventional properties and the respective technologies have been opening new eras through various applications for society. This new generation of materials, or metamaterials, have led to interesting physical properties previously thought impossible such as cloaking, negative refraction and materials that contract when heated. Most of those properties are realised in the dynamic response of the material. However, in these dynamic processes uncertainty remains as to whether these metamaterials undergo feasible deformations, remaining intact. Research into the latter is limited. Understanding this phenomenon is important in developing new metamaterials. Additionally it is crucial, for example, in larger structures such as multi-span bridges, pipelines and skyscrapers exposed to earthquakes and terrorist attacks, regularly faced in Europe and their effects can be catastrophic to human life. To accomplish this research, a significant multidisciplinary effort is required from applied mathematicians, engineers, computer scientists and industrialists closely collaborating towards this one goal. This timely project has two aims: (i) to create a well-rounded researcher capable of interacting with engineers and industrialists and (ii) this should be executed through the research into this area or more specifically the dynamic failure propagation in structured media under various loading conditions. This will be achieved through establishing an international and multidisciplinary long-standing collaboration between the European Fellow (EF), who is an applied mathematician, academic partner UniCA and industrial partner ES. Through this, a unique research environment will be created offering essential training not possible at the EF’s home institute, creating new skills that will complement the EF’s existing strengths to enable objectives (i) and (ii).

Mots clés : metamaterials, dynamic fracture, flexural media, wiener hopf method, asymptotic methods, numerical methods

Participants :
- University of Cagliari (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet ZEOCATALYST (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Custom manufacturing of fine chemicals such as fuels, additives and plasticizers is a vital part of modern industrial chemistry. Increasing demand for the production of such chemicals necessitates the development of sustainable approaches. Biomass valorization is a potential solution to this problem; however, several challenges must be overcome to efficiently transform highly cross-linked biopolymers into desired chemicals. Notably, biocatalysts and heterogeneous catalysts offer promising efficiency for converting biomass-derived products in to small molecules. For such approaches to be successful, in particular when using heterogeneous catalysts, it is crucial to understand the local compositions, structures and synergistic effects between catalytic active sites on surfaces. Neglecting such factors during the biomass catalysis process is troublesome leading to reduced yields and undesired products. Here propose to develop a novel approach by combining zeolite post-synthesis modification with in situ and ex situ NMR spectroscopy techniques to gain a new molecular-level insight into zeolite-based biomass catalysis. We will accomplish this by modifying zeolites surfaces (via incorporating Zr, Sn, Zn and La heteroatoms into ZSM-5, USY and beta zeolite frameworks) using hydrothermal and chemical methods. The catalytic activity of zeolites will be tested for cascade conversions of sugar carbohydrates, lignin-derivatives and triglyceride-based compounds into valuable chemicals. The zeolite surfaces will be thoroughly characterized using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET isotherm measurements, 1D and 2D solid-state NMR techniques. This project is expected to create a significant leap forward in fundamental understanding and development of heterogeneous catalysts for biomass valorization. In addition, both experienced researcher and host will benefit from establishing interdisciplinary research and deliver research excellence to academia and industry.

Mots clés : zeolites, post synthesis modification, lewis acid sites, surface characterization, nmr spectroscopy

Participants :
- Université de Lille (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet EVOBOMICS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Cutting edge sequencing technology enables, for the first time, the characterization of high quality numts (non-functional copies of genes of mitochondrial origin present in the nuclear genome) and heteroplasmy (the presence of different mitochondrial genotypes in the same organism). Although they are completely distinct molecular phenomena, both can be at the same time obstacles and new tools for evolutionary studies. EVOBOMICS is three projects in one, in which numts, heteroplasmy and genomes (nuclear and mitochondrial) will be studied at the same time and from an evolutionary perspective. The following hypotheses will be tested: i) Numts and heteroplasmy are common in a target model taxon (bumblebees); ii) The number of numts in any given species will increase/decrease proportionately with its nuclear genome size; iii) Ancestral numts are related to speciation events, and thus provide a novel tool for constructing and investigating phylogenies; iv) Numts can be used as molecular marker for phylogenomic reconstruction as truly RGCs (rare genomic changes); v) Heteroplasmy is not a temporary state and is shared among close related species; vi) Heteroplasmy can interfere in species delimitation and is related to speciation events. My previous experience and preliminary results ensure the feasibility of EVOBOMICS. During my PhD in Brazil, I initiated an unprecedented and unique research programme into the evolution of mitochondrial genomes, with a focus on numts and heteroplasmy in bees. So far, five articles have been published. Together, these studies suggest that numts and heteroplasmy are common phenomena in bees, and this is likely to be representative of many other taxa. These studies had to be interrupted due to motherhood, but now, EVOBOMICS will give me the opportunity to develop this new research area using innovative methodological approaches, and to update and improve my skills, providing a key stepping stone for my career in Evolutionary Biology.

Mots clés : numts, heteroplasmy, nuclear genome, mitochondrial genome, bees, bumblebees

Participants :
- University of London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet COMMANDEER (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease which affects 100,000 people worldwide and is prevalent in European populations. CF causes the body to produce an abnormally sticky mucus in the lungs making patients susceptible to serious bacterial infection. By age 8, 50% of CF patients are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa increasing to 80% by 20 years of age. Eventually, the infecting strains of bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and remain a chronic inhabitant of the lungs of CF patients until they succumb to respiratory failure, usually by the young age of 30-35. Approximately 60% of CF patients are co-infected with Burkholderia cenocepacia that settle into the thick mucus of the airways. These bacteria have evolved a special type of defence mechanism to antibiotics whereby they excrete a chemical messenger on treatment. This chemical messenger -Diffusible Signal Factor or DSF - activates bacterial biofilm formation. Previous work has shown that DSF effectively behaves as an ‘emergency flare’ to other bacteria, which produce a biofilm in response. This biofilm acts as a shield which protects the bacteria from the effects of antibiotics. As a key fits in a lock, DSF fits into bacterial receptors and “switches on” biofilm formation. In this COMMANDEER project, we will synthesise molecules which mimic DSF and fit into the same biological receptors. However, due to subtle changes in their design, our molecules will “switch off” biofilm formation. Using this novel strategy of effectively commandeering the bacteria’s signalling system, we will disable biofilm formation, making the bacteria susceptible to antibiotics once again. We will adopt a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach combining the talents of chemists in Ireland and microbiologists in the UK. This project, therefore, represents a new and exciting route of circumventing bacterial resistance, offering significantly improved quality of life for CF patients and increased life expectancies.

Mots clés : medicinal chemistry, bioisosteres, cystic fibrosis, bacteria, resistance, quorum sensing

Participants :
- National University of Ireland (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187866.0 €
Projet MASTER (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Cytosine methylation is an ancient epigenetic modification that carries essential regulatory functions in eukaryotic genomes. This modification is reprogramed in both male and female germlines of mammals, regulating essential germline functions. My host lab discovered that DNA methylation reprogramming also occurs in male germlines of flowering plants, such as Arabidopsis, rice and maize. This reprogramming is catalyzed by the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway (RdDM), which methylates hundreds of genes specifically in the male germline. In Arabidopsis, this germline-specific methylation (GSM) regulates male meiosis by controlling gene transcription and splicing. It is unknown if methylation reprogramming also occurs in plant female germlines. Furthermore, our preliminary data suggest that GSM is modulated by ambient temperature. It is mysterious if and how environmental modulation of methylation reprogramming contributes to stress tolerance in plant germlines. I propose to answer these questions in Arabidopsis using a combination of single-cell genomics, epigenetics, genetics and developmental biology approaches. My preliminary work detected GSM in the egg companion cell and gynoecium (female organ), whose development was reported to be affected by RdDM mutations. Data also suggest that heat-induced modulation of GSM activates a heat shock gene in male meiocytes. Thus, I hypothesize that methylation reprogramming occurs and plays essential regulatory roles in the female germline, and beyond; an important function of such reprogramming is to mediate germline response to environmental stresses such as heat. Here, I will test this hypothesis and elucidate the scope, mechanism and environmental adaptation function of germline reprogramming. My discoveries will elucidate essential methylation and regulatory mechanisms in plant germlines that mediate intergenerational heredity, and establish a novel epigenetic paradigm in how germlines perceive and respond to stress.

Mots clés : germline, dna methylation, reprogramming, rddm, heat stress

Participants :
- UK Research and Innovation (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet DEJMENA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

DEJMENA—Decolonial Environmental Justice: from Middle East and North Africa to North America aims to provide a reading of environmental justice at the crosscut of indigeneity and feminist decoloniality. Drawing on local activists’ and indigenous communities’ struggles with environmental (in)justice, particularly land and water protection, across the Levant (Palestinian farmers in the South of the West Bank), North Africa (Amazigh communities in South-Western Morocco), and North America (Native Americans of the Lacota people in the Midwestern region of the US), this project aims to provide a novel and a much urgent grounding of the locally global impact and value of decolonial feminist environmentalism. DEJ-MENA is—to my knowledge—the first study that combines a decolonial feminist approach to the question of Environmental Justice (EJ) across these multiple locales of indigeneity. By creating a timely comparative understanding of decolonial EJ, DEJMENA will contribute to clarify the way in which evolving global EJ schemes—of which the EU is a major player—are connected to the restoration of indigenous rights in multiple locales. More specifically, it aims to contribute to major areas of EU policy and action (EU Climate action and the European Green New Deal; EU International Action on Climate Change). The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has proved further the urgent need for more expansive theorising, research and action on EJ with indigenous communities by showing their huge vulnerability, yet revealing the value of their ecologies. To accomplish this goal, DEJMENA will be undertaken in collaboration with three major academic institutions, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (UNIVE), Colombia University (CU), and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and under the guidance and supervision of the most apt and internationally established scholars, Profs Matteo Legrenzi and Lila Abu-Lughod, and Dr Michael Mason.

Mots clés : environmental justice, decoloniality, indigeneity, gender and sexuality

Participants :
- Columbia University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224686.08 €