Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : RELOS (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : Technical University of Denmark — Pays : Danemark — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : DTU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1116648.0 €

Sediments preserve a history of the evolution of the Earth’s surface and its response to a changing climate – a history that can only be read reliably if we know the age of the sediments. Luminescence dating is widely used in quaternary geology and archaeology, and is applicable to almost all sediments from the last 0.5 Ma – it dates the last time the sediment grains were exposed to daylight. RELOS will improve the reliability of luminescence dating by determining the sources of unexpected spread (over-dispersion) in measured doses derived from sand-sized grains. New hypotheses concerning charge imbalance, charge transport and dose calibration of luminescence signals will be tested by: (i) quantifying the effect of grain size and irradiation geometry/quality on grain-to-grain dose dispersion, and particularly the importance of charge particle equilibrium at these scales; (ii) quantifying dispersion arising from grain-to-grain variations in environmental dose rate; (iii) developing measurement procedures giving the same luminescence response per unit dose as in nature; (iv) developing a dispersion budget and new conceptual/numerical models for luminescence production based on (i) to (iii); and (v) testing the results of these investigations using well-defined natural samples. This project investigates fundamental issues of charge (de)trapping and recombination at small scales that have been completely ignored in previous studies, and problems of luminescence response that are sidestepped in the literature, in part by the unsatisfactory approach of arbitrary data rejection. These studies will result in major improvements in our understanding of the small-scale dosimetry of mixed radiation fields and a step change in the reliability of single-grain luminescence ages. The project links these fundamental studies to clear outcomes of considerable potential value to a variety of fields including earth sciences, archaeology and palaeoanthropology.

Mots-clés : luminescence dating,charge movement,charge trapping,single grain,quartz,feldspar,exo electrons,natural radioactivity,micro xrf,minimum age model,finite mixture model
Projet ERC : UltraLVP (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : University of Bayreuth — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2642120.0 €

Seismic observations imply that slab descent and plume ascent are impeded in the mid-mantle (MM) (depths of 660–1000 km, pressures of 23–40 GPa). A recent evaluation of viscosity variation suggested the presence of a viscosity increase or maximum in the MM that could drag the slab and plume motions. The viscosity variation may be caused by a change in the rheology of bridgmanite (Brg), the dominant mineral in the lower mantle (LM). The absence of seismic anisotropy suggests the dominance of diffusion creep in the majority of the LM. Element diffusivities and grain size are two essential factors of diffusion creep, and defect chemistry controls diffusivity. Hence, this project will determine defect chemistry, diffusivity and the grain growth rate of Brg. Since plume ascent originates in deep parts in the LM, these three properties need to be determined at pressures up to 80 GPa. Although use of a large-volume press (LVP) is vital for obtaining reliable high-pressure experimental data on mineral and rock properties, conventional LVP with carbide anvils can only generate 27 GPa. Recent LVP technology can generate over 100 GPa using sintered diamond (SD) anvils, but the process is currently very difficult for practical use. We developed a method to generate 50 GPa using hard carbide (HWC) anvils that allows practical investigation of Brg properties at mantle temperatures. We will investigate the three properties of Brg up to 50 GPa using LVP with HWC. We will develop LVP technology with SD to reliably generate pressures up to 80 GPa at mantle temperatures, and we will investigate the Brg properties under these conditions. These data will enable numerical modelling of slab and plume dynamics to explain the seismic observations. Through such modelling, we will investigate how materials are transported between the surface and deep mantle reservoirs, which can provide insight into Earth’s evolution and surface habitability.

Mots-clés : mid mantle,material transport,viscosity,high pressure,high temperature,large volume press,defect,vacancy,diffusivity,grain growth,creep
Projet ERC : RECONFMATTER (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Leiden University — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499956.0 €

Self-assembly of colloidal particles has emerged as the most promising strategy to obtain fundamental insights into otherwise prohibitively complex systems as well as to create new functional materials from the bottom up. However, most self-assembled colloidal structures are static and thus limited in their functionality. Building on our recent discovery of colloidal joints, which enable a hinging-like motion between linked particles, I propose to unravel how such flexible bonds can be leveraged to obtain reconfigurable materials with unprecedented properties. I will investigate the impact of bond flexibility on the self-assembly, (multi-) stable configurations and phase behaviour of reconfigurable colloidal structures, and use these insights to create next generation materials that adapt their shape and thus functionality to external cues. To reach these goals, the project will consist of three work packages: 1) I will elucidate how bond flexibility can be exploited to create and understand reconfigurable structures. 2) I will unravel the phase behaviour and hierarchical assembly of flexible colloidal molecules. 3) I will introduce active and actuatable elements to control switching between different configurations and create shape-changing and self-propelled structures. Taking the concept of reconfigurability to the colloidal length scale will not only allow us to investigate the principles and consequences of structural flexibility on thermally excited objects, but also to develop the next generation of smart materials: materials with an adaptable shape and thus properties. These reconfigurable and actuatable structures have great potential for materials science and in biomedicine as they may feature switchable optical and acoustic properties, and ultimately could be employed in sensors, actuators, advanced coatings, and more complex functional devices such as micro-robots.

Mots-clés : self assembly,colloidal molecules,active matter,dna coated colloids,reconfigurable colloidal structures,patchy particles,colloidal crystals
Projet ERC : InActioN (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ETH Zurich
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499755.0 €

Self-organization of matter into structured architectures with emerging functionality is arguably the most important phenomenon to enable life. Unfortunately, human efforts to successfully engineer materials that control hierarchical order and achieve precise action in cells, have suffered from structural heterogeneity and limitations in functional precision. Immune pathways are prime examples of cascades where a finely balanced sequence of interactions decides between life-changing outcomes, varying from tolerance to active fight. Immune-modulating materials, therefore, would uniquely benefit from precision control over functionality. DNA-based nanomaterials have the potential to change our current bioengineering standards due to their inherent architectural uniformity and nanometer control of functionalization, allowing for a quantitative analysis of material parameters on cell activation. The goal of this ERC proposal is to use structural geometry of DNA-based materials to provoke controlled intracellular manipulation of immune signaling via the hierarchical and spatial organization of constitutive DNA binding proteins. We create a circular paradox where DNA defines protein synthesis, yet protein function is controlled by self-organization following interaction with designer DNA. Our approach stands out in its controlled-by-nature strategy: 1) we exclusively use materials derived from cellular building blocks; that 2) respond to stimuli generated without artificial intervention, 3) that we quantify using pathway specific activation markers and 4) image via label-free microscopy to track inherent structural changes in physical material properties. We apply our approach on two important signaling pathways involved in immunology: TLR9 as Th1 trigger for vaccine adjuvants and innate cGAS inhibition to fight autoimmunity. Using spatial organization as foundation for geometry-based immune-engineering will revolutionize the design of novel immune-modulating materials.

Mots-clés : dna nanotechnology,cell uptake,structural stability,intracellular fate,macromolecule assembly,immune activation
Projet ERC : ASCIR (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : University of Konstanz — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1824735.24 €

Self-propelling, i.e., active colloidal particles constitute a novel class of non-equilibrium systems which exhibit structural and dynamical features similar to those in assemblies of bacteria or other motile organisms. Due to their reduced complexity, they provide an intriguing chance to understand the formation of dynamical structures in non-equilibrium systems in unprecedented detail. A central question in this rapidly growing field is, how interaction-rules determine the creation of e.g. swarms or complex networks. In addition to ordinary inter particle and hydrodynamic forces, interaction-rules can be much more complex. For example, they can regulate the particle motility depending on their relative orientation, their local density or otherwise distinct particle configurations. Here, we propose an experimental approach which aims towards controlling the amplitude and direction of the particle’s motility in dense active suspensions on a single particle level. Particle-propulsion is achieved by a light-activated diffusiophoretic mechanism, where the particle motility is controlled by an incident light field. By means of an acoustic-optical modulator and a feed-back loop, we create dynamical and spatially-resolved light fields which depend on the current configuration of active particles and user-defined interaction rules. Because these rules are imposed externally and not by internal forces, this permits the experimental realization of a wide range of rules (linear, non-linear, and even non-reciprocal) in dense, two-dimensional active systems. We expect, that the experimental realization of user-defined interaction-rules largely extends our understanding how active matter can organize in dynamical structures. In addition, the perspective of enhanced control of active particles, as suggested within this proposal, will be of considerable importance for their use as autonomous micro robots which will deliver payloads in liquid environments.
Projet ERC : FLEXILOG (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Computer science and informatics
Entité participante : Cardiff University — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1451656.0 €

Semantic search engines use structured knowledge to improve traditional web search, e.g. by directly answering questions from users. Current approaches to semantic search rely on the unrealistic assumption that all true facts about a given domain are explicitly stated in their knowledge base or on the web. To reach their full potential, semantic search engines need the ability to reason about known facts. However, existing logics cannot adequately deal with the imperfect nature of knowledge from the web. One problem is that relevant information tends to be distributed over several heterogeneous knowledge bases that are inconsistent with each other. Moreover, domain theories are seldom complete, which means that a form of so-called plausible reasoning is needed. Finally, as relevant logical theories do not exist for many domains, reasoning may need to rely on imperfect probabilistic theories that have been learned from the web. To overcome these challenges, FLEXILOG will introduce a family of logics for robust reasoning with messy real-world knowledge, based on vector-space representations of natural language terms (i.e. of lexical knowledge). In particular, we will use lexical knowledge to estimate the plausibility of logical models, using conceptual simplicity as a proxy for plausibility (i.e. Occam’s razor). This will enable us to implement various forms of commonsense reasoning, equipping classical logic with the ability to draw plausible conclusions based on regularities that are observed in a knowledge base. We will then generalise our approach to probabilistic logics, and show how we can use the resulting lexically informed probabilistic logics to learn accurate and comprehensive domain theories from the web. This project will enable a robust data-driven approach to logic-based semantic search, and more generally lead to fundamental progress in a variety of knowledge-intensive applications for which logical inference has traditionally been too brittle.

Mots-clés : knowledge representation and reasoning,commonsense reasoning,vector space models,semantic spaces
Projet ERC : QUMAG (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : University of Copenhagen — Pays : Danemark — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UCPH
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 149921.0 €

Sensitive detection of weak magnetic fields produced by human nerves, eyes and brain has a large potential as a diagnostic tool for bio- and medical applications. However, measurements of magnetic fields have not yet been developed into a ubiquitous tool for medical diagnostics, one of the reasons being that commercially available magnetometers with high enough sensitivity are based on expensive superconducting magnetometers (SQUIDs) which require cryogenic cooling. Within the INTERFACE project we have developed a novel optical magnetometer with sensitivity rivaling SQUIDs but operating at room or human body temperature. This breakthrough has been achieved by the design based on optimizing quantum noise of the light-atoms interaction. First results on detection of action potential magnetic signals from a nerve provide an example of quantum technology in service of real world applications. Within the QUMAG project we shall explore the potential of the quantum magnetometer in ophthalmology. In collaboration with medical researchers and leading ophthalmologists we shall develop a magnetoretinograph for eye diagnostics. The small fiber-connected chip which can be placed in the close proximity to the eye and provide noninvasive, inexpensive, ultrasensitive diagnostics will find a market in curing such diseases as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and inborn blindness.

Mots-clés : optical magnetometry,biomagnetism,quantum technology,magnetoretinography,vapor cell
Projet ERC : FLAMENCO (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
Entité participante : Middle East Technical University — Pays : Turquie — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : METU;ODTÜ
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1993750.0 €

Sensorineural impairment, representing the majority of the profound deafness, can be restored using cochlear implants (CIs), which electrically stimulates the auditory nerve to repair hearing in people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. A conventional CI consists of an external microphone, a sound processor, a battery, an RF transceiver pair, and a cochlear electrode. The major drawback of conventional CIs is that, they replace the entire natural hearing mechanism with electronic hearing, even though most parts of the middle ear are operational. Also, the power hungry units such as microphone and RF transceiver cause limitations in continuous access to sound due to battery problems. Besides, damage risk of external components especially if exposed to water and aesthetic concerns are other critical problems. Limited volume of the middle ear is the main obstacle for developing fully implantable CIs. FLAMENCO proposes a fully implantable, autonomous, and low-power CI, exploiting the functional parts of the middle ear and mimicking the hair cells via a set of piezoelectric cantilevers to cover the daily acoustic band. FLAMENCO has a groundbreaking nature as it revolutionizes the operation principle of CIs. The implant has five main units: i) piezoelectric transducers for sound detection and energy harvesting, ii) electronics for signal processing and battery charging, iii) an RF coil for tuning the electronics to allow customization, iv) rechargeable battery, and v) cochlear electrode for neural stimulation. The utilization of internal energy harvesting together with the elimination of continuous RF transmission, microphone, and front-end filters makes this system a perfect candidate for next generation autonomous CIs. In this project, a multi-frequency self-powered implant for in vivo operation will be implemented, and the feasibility will be proven through animal tests.

Mots-clés : microsystems,mems,biomems,cochlear implant,energy harvesting
Projet ERC : 3DTransducers (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
Entité participante : University of Strathclyde — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 146334.0 €

Sensors are ubiquitous in the modern technological world. From the numerous sensors everyone carries within their smartphone, through the pervasive nature of sensors within human machines, to the oncoming explosion of the “Internet of Things” promising immense interconnected networks of sensor enabled systems in virtually every aspect of human life. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) as silicon integrated circuits (ICs) are the base technology for nearly all such sensors. In 2017 the worldwide market for MEMS sensors was valued at 10.3€ Billion up from 8.5€ Billion in 2016. It is forecast to grow to 48.4€ Billion in 2024. The use of MEMS ICs provides large-scale manufacture of very cheap sensors. However, there are also many disadvantages. They do not easily provide for rapid and localised/distributed manufacture and implementation. Prototyping requires multi-user foundry platforms or the availability of local facilities, both of which can be relatively expensive, and time consuming, for short runs of prototypes. There are also limitations to what can be achieved. For example, it is very difficult and expensive to make 3D MEMS silicon structures, and there are many issues with liquid interfacing of such systems. 3D printing to make relatively small structures is not new, and various groups have recently reported functionalized polymers. This project will produce 3D printed transducers using 3D printing techniques from the SASATIN ERC project. The 3D printing arrangement does not rely on specific materials purchased from the printer manufacturer.

Mots-clés : sensors,3d printing,transducers,internet of things,sound,vibration,magnetic,biomedical
Projet ERC : HITSCIL (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Cellular, Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Entité participante : Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : VU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2499580.0 €

Sensory cilia are organelles extending like antennas from many eukaryotic cells, with crucial functions in sensing and signalling. Cilia consist of an axoneme built of microtubules, enveloped by a specialized membrane. Ciliary development and maintenance depend critically on a specific, microtubule-based intracellular transport mechanism, intraflagellar transport (IFT). In my laboratory, we study the chemosensory cilia of C. elegans, which sense water-soluble molecules in the animal’s environment for chemotaxis. Over the past years, we have developed a unique set of quantitative, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy tools that allow us to visualize and quantify IFT dynamics with unprecedented detail in living animals. So far, our focus has been on the cooperation of the motor proteins driving IFT. The overall objective of my current proposal is to zoom out and shed light on the connection between ciliary structure, chemosensory function and IFT, from a systems perspective. Recent work has indicated that axoneme length is controlled by IFT. Preliminary results from my laboratory show that axoneme length changes dynamically in response to perturbations of IFT or cilia. Furthermore, we have shown that IFT is substantially affected upon exposure of animals to known repellent solutions. The four major aims in my proposal are to: • determine how directional changes in IFT are regulated and are affected by external disturbances, • understand the dynamics of the axonemal microtubules and how IFT affects these dynamics and vice versa, • study how sensory ciliary function affects IFT and ciliary structure, • further develop our (single-molecule) fluorescence microscopy toolbox by improving instrumentation and using better fluorescent probes and sensors. These experiments will place my lab in a unique position to push forward our understanding of the relationship between structure, function and dynamics of transport of this fascinating and fundamental organelle.

Mots-clés : single molecule fluorescence,intraflagellar transport,cilia