Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet OPTAPHI (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Doctoral Networks - Joint Doctorates
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Photonics is a key technology of the 21st century and has been identified by the European Investment Bank as being one of “the building blocks of the next digital revolution”. Photonics, with an expected world market of €615B by 2020, underpins all aspects of modern society, including optical telecommunications, biophotonics, medical technology devices and materials processing. Sensing is the largest application sector within European photonics; the compact, portable non-invasive potential of optical sensors makes them ideal solutions for industrial process analysis, environmental monitoring and food analysis. The strong industrial activity in Europe supports the employment of large numbers of highly qualified personnel, and with intense competition from China, USA and others, the demand for suitably qualified graduates has never been higher. Optical sensing is intrinsically a multi-disciplinary topic, requiring expertise in chemistry, physics and engineering; it is therefore ideally suited to a European Joint Doctorate programme. The OPTAPHI consortium brings together 5 world-leading research groups and 11 partner organisations to offer a cohort of 14 ESRs a unique opportunity; a PhD programme with cross-disciplinary training in both integrated photonics and advanced spectroscopy techniques, a double degree awarded by two of Europe's leading institutions and co-supervision by experts in each of the complementary fields. The network will focus on the cutting-edge technologies of Quartz Enhanced Photo-Acoustic Spectroscopy (QEPAS) and Photo-Thermal Spectroscopy (PTS) and includes an exciting programme of workshops, summer school and conference. OPTAPHI will demonstrate compact sensors that can be used in unmanned aerial vehicles for environment sensing, as low cost sensors for food monitoring and in industrial Process Analytical Technology, and produce new state of the art quantum cascade lasers and hybrid photonic crystal lasers customised for QEPAS and PTS.

Mots clés : photo acoustic spectroscopy, photo thermal spectroscopy, photonic crystal lasers, quantum cascade lasers, gas sensing, liquid sensing

Participants :
- University of Bari Aldo Moro (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 522999.36 €
- Munster Technological University (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 1098737.28 €
- Polytechnic University of Bari (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 522999.36 €
- TU Wien (Autriche) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 792621.72 €
- Université de Montpellier (France) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 824406.12 €
Projet PhotoRedOx (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Photoredox catalysis is an emerging and powerful methodological approach for accomplishing bond constructions in organic chemistry and utilizes photosensitizers to convert photon energy into chemical potential to drive photo-induced C–C/C–X couplings and C–H bond activations. Given catalysis can be light-activated, this methodology is considered environmentally friendly and sustainable. To date, the three main modes of action are: 1) single electron transfers (SETs) to initiate radical coupling reactions; 2) SETs to simultaneously generate free radicals and activate transition metal catalysis (i.e., dual photoredox); and 3) energy transfer to or direct excitation of a transition metal catalyst. While the number and complexity of bond transformations is rapidly increasing, there are few spectroscopic or computational studies of photoredox mechanisms, largely due to the complexity and interplay between excited state dynamics and reactive intermediates. The applicant will use a variety of high-level spectroscopies spanning 10 orders of magnitude in photon energy and 15 orders of magnitude in time to observe molecular events from femtoseconds after light absorption to individual steps in the reaction. Experimental data guide ligand design to tune ground and excited state structure, regioselectivity, or alter reactivity for new bond constructions. Together, the methodologies allow to evaluate energetics of reaction coordinates, define mechanisms, estimate redox activity of intermediates, and map excited state potential energy surfaces to define key electronic contributions from frontier molecular orbitals. This work will be communicated at local, national, and international seminars and conferences. Major findings will be disseminated via publication in high-impact scientific journals. Importantly, the applicant’s training at the host institution and the returning phase will be invaluable for accomplishing his goal to obtain a position at a major European University.

Mots clés : photoredox catalysis, transition metal catalysis, c h activation

Participants :
- California Institute of Technology (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Czech Academy of Sciences (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 255756.24 €
Projet EVERPHOT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Photosynthesis is a biological process of primary importance, as it provides the energy that drives food, feedstock and biofuel production and mitigates climate change. Light in excess of photosynthetic capacity can be damaging, thus ways to protect against damage have evolved, including ways to minimize light absorption, detoxify reactive oxygen species generated by excess light, and dissipate excess absorbed light. Together, these processes are known as photoprotection. Despite the physiological importance of photoprotection, the molecular mechanisms that protect against light stress remain largely unknown, especially those that protect from prolonged light stress. The objective of the proposed research project is to solve molecular mechanisms of photoprotection in plants. My specific aims are to 1) investigate the function of known involved factors in sustained energy dissipation in the model plant Arabidopsis, 2) identify novel molecular players and 3) use an organism that is genetically adapted to cope with high light stress, the evergreen Norway spruce. The research will be carried out in my laboratory where genetics, biochemistry, biophysics and physiological approaches will be combined to address this problem. The research in my group will provide insights into fundamental mechanisms of light energy capture, utilization and dissipation and will lead to the identification of new targets for manipulation, key to increasing yields of energy and food crops.

Mots clés : photosynthesis, photoprotection, non photochemical quenching, arabidopsis, spruce

Participants :
- Umeå University (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203852.16 €
Projet DynAppACry (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Photosynthetic organisms need to sense environmental light effectively in order to regulate cellular processes. AppA (Activation of Photopigment and PUC A protein) and CryB (cryptochrome B) are two flavin (FAD) containing photoreceptors found in the facultatively photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides and depending on the oxygen levels can regulate the expression of photosynthetic genes by light. Photoexcitation of AppA and CryB is accompanied by changes on their conformation and their affinity to partner binding proteins to initiate signaling transduction processes. The mechanisms by which AppA and CryB regulate downstream signaling events is not known. Thus there is substantial interest in capturing the conformational landscape that lead to the signaling state and in understanding how absorption of light by the flavin is coupled to these conformational changes. The aim of the project is to provide atomic level characterization of the photoactivation mechanism of AppA and structural information on the photocycle of CryB. To achieve our objectives, we will use a combination of biochemical methods, ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, QM/MM (hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanisms) calculations and time-resolved structural methods. The latter include TR-serial crystallography (SX) at synchrotrons (SSX) and X-ray free electron lasers (SFX) and TR-solution scattering (small-angle, SAXS and wide-angle X-ray scattering, WAXS). Ultimately, this project will provide a molecular movie of the AppA that features the structural changes occurring upon blue-light illumination and significant information on the photocycle of CryB. The proposed research lies on the implementation of new instrumentation and novel approaches to advance our knowledge on how photoreceptors function in order to engineer novel systems that use light as a tool to achieve noninvasive control of biological processes with high spatiotemporal resolution.

Mots clés : photoreceptors, signaling, conformational changes, appa, cryb, time resolved crystallography, xfels, serial crystallography, ultrafast spectroscopy, solution scattering

Participants :
- Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 184707.84 €
Projet PVMINDS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Photovoltaic (PV) module reliability is a critical factor for energy yield predictability, and reduced PV cost of electricity. Today, there is limited understanding of PV reliability issues under real-field conditions; and none of the state-of-the-art energy yield models can predict their long-term performance considering lifecycle degradation and failure propagation. Ultimate objective of the planned research is to develop the first bottom-up reliability model for selected PV failure/degradation modes, coupled with advanced simulation of real-field stress factors. Broader vision of the Project is to yield a novel design-for-reliability (DfR) protocol for site-specific optimization of PV module concepts. Following a “closed-loop learning” approach, the Project will be implemented in three workpackages (WP). In WP1, analysis of field diagnostic and meteorological data will be performed for selected PV installations and climatic zones, aiming to correlate degradation rates and/or failure occurrences, with site-specific stress factors. WP2 will involve the fabrication of PV samples; which, will undergo novel reliability tests based on insights from WP1, and enable the development of a novel physics/chemical PV reliability models that can be adapted to specific sites and module designs. Then, advanced simulations of PV lifecycle degradation, based on the reliability models coupled to bottom-up energy yield modelling will be developed in WP3. Final results of the project will be a predictive reliability tool and site-specific PV design and qualification guidelines. The project brings together the know-how of the Host, in advanced energy yield modelling and PV module technology innovation and characterization, and the applicant’s experience in PV field diagnostics and reliability; thus, giving a multidisciplinary training by research to the applicant in industrial research environment at an independent research center.

Mots clés : photovoltaic modules, reliability model, failure analysis, energy yield simulation, design for reliability

Participants :
- IMEC (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172800.0 €
Projet TADF-LDS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Photovoltaic (PV) technology has proven to be the most promising, economic, and clean solution to the global energy crisis. Over the years, tremendous advancements have been accomplished in the solar PV industry in terms of installations, cost reductions and technological advancements. Crystalline silicon (c-Si) panels belong to the first-generation solar PV and hold ~ 95% share of worldwide PV production. The energy conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells in the lab reached a record value of 26.7% in 2017. An important factor affecting the efficiency of Si solar cells is the poor spectral response of Si below 450 nm. Luminescent Down-Shifting (LDS) is an efficient optical approach used for increasing PV device spectral response by converting high energy photons to lower energy photons. LDS can also be used to modify and enhance the visual appearance of solar panels for building-integrated PV applications. To date various luminescent materials like inorganic phosphors and glasses, colloidal QDs, organic dyes and organolanthanides have been studied as LDS layer in different PV devices. Organolanthanide complexes have proven to be attractive candidates to improve the EQE of solar cells compared to other LDS materials due to their uniquely large spectral shift of emission. Their major drawback to date however, is poor light harvesting in the 350 – 450 nm spectral region while simultaneously maintaining high PL quantum yield. To achieve a step change in performance of lanthanide complex LDS materials, we will implement for the first time ligands that exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), since these may achieve close to 100% ligand to metal sensitization efficiency, even at near-UV and visible wavelengths. This unique method will extend the absorption range of Ln complexes (from <385 nm to <470 nm) with enhanced absorption coefficient, while achieving improved overall quantum yield of Ln complexes and hence overall improved EQE of PV cells.

Mots clés : thermally activated delayed fluorescence, luminescence down shifting, lanthanides, energy transfer, solar cells

Participants :
- University of Edinburgh (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet UL-Flex-Cell (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Photovoltaic (PV), a renewable and a sustainable source of energy, is one of the best alternatives to suppress the emission of greenhouse gases and limit global warming. The cost of PV systems is dropping continuously, and their energy generation price is not affected by future fuel price increases. Among different thin-film PV technologies, CIGS solar cell exhibit the highest power conversion efficiency. It is lighter, significantly cheaper to produce, and can be made flexible to use for portable electronics, mobility applications as well as building integration, which is highly relevant in view of the European Strategic Energy Technology plan. To keep pushing prices down and increase efficiency, a novel concept is needed. Low-temperature growth of high-quality CIGS thin-film opens a new frontier of solar business by fabricating solar cells on ultra-light polymeric substrates. However, the main problems that limit the growth of CIGS thin-films at low substrate temperature are poor electronic properties due to incomplete phase transformation and insufficient alkali metals in the absorber layer due to decreased diffusion. In this project, a pulsed hybrid reactive magnetron sputtering process will be developed to obtain a high-efficiency solar cell at low-growth temperature. It is a new, unique, and single-step fabrication process, which will have a high impact on the industrial production of solar cells. Surface stoichiometry and nucleation of anions/cations species at various deposition conditions will be investigated. Furthermore, the atomic mobility of the anions/cations species will be promoted using laser pulses, which enhances the phase transformation resulting in increased crystal growth. To further boost the performance, heavy alkali metals will be incorporated. High-quality results are expected, since the proposal will combine the expertise of the applicant with the knowledge of the host, and the use of unique state-of-the-art fabrication facilities.

Mots clés : cigs, low temperature, flexible, ultra light, high performance

Participants :
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159815.04 €
Projet PHYLOBD (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Phylogenetic trees represent the evolutionary relationships among individuals, populations, or species. These trees also contain information on the evolutionary dynamics in the underlying population, and can be used in a wide range of applications, from studying the dynamics of an epidemic to analyzing the speciation and extinction dynamics of groups of species. Reconstructing phylogenetic trees from sequence data requires specifying a "tree prior", i.e. a model that represents a prior idea about the evolutionary dynamics. The adequacy of the tree prior influences the quality of the phylogenetic reconstruction, and consequently the quality of the inferred evolutionary dynamics. Unfortunately, the currently used priors are over-simplistic; in particular, they assume that evolutionary rates are constant in time and identical across lineages. These homogeneous tree priors are most often inconsistent with the model subsequently used to infer evolutionary dynamics, which is statistically problematic and likely to bias inferences. Several factors contribute to this issue: i) the computational challenges of carrying out "full phylogenetic inferences", that is analyses that co-estimate trees and dynamics, ii) the under-recognized influence of tree priors on phylogenetic reconstruction and subsequent analyses of evolutionary dynamics and iii) the lack of empirical guidance on the use and interpretation of rate-heterogeneous tree priors. PHYLOBD will address this issue and significantly improve full Bayesian phylogenetic inference by: i) providing efficient implementations of tree priors that account for rate heterogeneity across lineages ii) evaluating the importance of using such tree priors iii) providing tools for an accurate representation of rate-heterogeneous Bayesian posteriors, and iv) providing efficient implementations of full Bayesian phylogenetic inference when data are sampled through time.

Mots clés : phylogenetics, bayesian inference, tree priors, birth death processes, lineage specific rates

Participants :
- École normale supérieure PSL (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 184707.84 €
Projet ONTOP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Physical materials can display a topological order, i.e. a collective organization characterized by a discrete number or “topological charge”. Because the integer nature of this charge must be preserved throughout the structure, topological order is intrinsically immune to perturbations and the system is said to be topologically protected. Recently, the replication of topological protection in optics has raised the interest of the scientific community for its potential ability to overcome fundamental problems—like the influence of imperfections intrinsically present in nanoscale-fabrication processes, which currently preclude the development of multiple photonic technologies. Yet, at optical frequencies the weak response of materials often precludes a topological approach such that even careful designs can only partially deliver the expected protection. In contrast to material properties, gain and loss can be easily manipulated in optics. While the exploitation of non-hermitian systems—with non-conserved energy—recently enabled the formation of topological order in wave physics, it simultaneously questioned our theoretical understanding of topology and offered a large variety of new degrees of freedom that are yet to be explored. Here I suggest exploiting the versatility of optical gain-loss to imprint topological order “on-demand” onto otherwise topologically trivial systems. Through non-uniform spatial distributions of optical gain and loss I intend to demonstrate theoretically the formation of topological protection in random systems and implement my predictions in existing experimental platforms. In sharp contrast with the conventional conception of topology that relies on careful and rigid designs, this project will explore the possibility to engineer topology through external control. In this way, I will trigger a paradigmatic change that will enable the development of new photonic devices, whose topology can be manipulated and reconfigured “on-demand”.

Mots clés : non hermitian physics, topology, random media

Participants :
- TU Wien (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 186167.04 €
Projet BONE-JOINT-MORPH (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Physiological movement, including movement before birth (fetal movement), is necessary for maintaining a proper mechanical environment which will facilitate musculoskeletal development. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition which can result due to abnormal loading either before or after birth. With DDH, the acetabular socket is often shallow causing an improper fit of the femoral head within the socket, leading to hip instability or even dislocation. DDH is the most commonly abnormal joint in new-born babies, with an incidence of 4.9 out of 1000. However, it is not known why the hip, more than any other joint in the body, is so dependent on movements and mechanical stimulation for its normal development. Recent studies on the proprioceptive system (the neuromuscular sensory receptors responsible for registering position and movement of body parts) have indicated a key role in skeletogenesis. Disruption of the proprioceptive system in mice through knocking out Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3 KO) has been found to cause gait ataxia, spinal scoliosis and fracture misalignment. Excitingly, unpublished data from the same animal model has indicated that hip dysplasia consistently occurs in these mice, with all other synovial joints forming normally. It is hypothesised that the hip joint abnormalities arise as a direct effect of the abnormal mechanical environment due to abnormal gait. Therefore, this model system offers a unique opportunity to reveal how movement shapes the developing joint, and in particular, why the hip joint is more dependent on normal movements than any other joint. Therefore, this project will potentially reveal new insights into the causes and aetiology of DDH.

Mots clés : mechanobiology, joint morphogenesis, finite element simulation, computational modelling

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €