Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : RESILIENT (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université d'Oxford — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The RESILIENT project will engineer mechanically durable and optically efficient coatings, which may be facilely applied as a photoluminescent paint useful for in situ detection and non-contact visualization of surface temperature and pressure. This non-invasive remote sensing technology will harness our recently discovered luminescent “Guest@MOF” composite materials, realised through the nanoscale confinement of fluorophores (as guest) incarcerated in the pores of a metal-organic framework (MOF as host). The resultant host-guest interactions give rise to high sensitivity, enhanced photostability, and tunable optical response subject to external stimuli. Temperature- and pressure-sensitive paints derived from Guest@MOF composites have many potential technological applications, for example: structural health monitoring, aerospace, automotive, hydrodynamics, biomedicine and consumer products. RESILIENT will de-risk this innovative technology through the construction and testing of proof-of-concept platforms guided by the industrial partners. The project will address the following objectives. (i) To engineer and deploy temperature- and pressure-sensitive paints (TSPs and PSPs) incorporating novel Guest@MOF composite systems coupled with hyperspectral imaging (HSI). Compared with conventional RGB detection of emission, HSI enables higher accuracy detection in real time for objects that are stationary or in motion. (ii) To systematically determine the performance of TSPs and PSPs, with respect to their optical sensitivity, mechanical durability, chemical and environmental stability. (iii) To establish real life functionality of TSP/PSP nanocomposite coatings, to accomplish fast and accurate surface measurements and enhanced photostability geared towards commercial applications.
Projet ERC : MULTI TRACE (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université technique de Graz — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU Graz
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

In response to the European Council's revision of air quality directives in October 2024, there is an urgent need to improve monitoring of global pollution gas concentrations and develop effective air quality management strategies. Current monitoring systems operate on a coarse grid with limited sensors that only target specific trace gases, leading to the omission of critical pollutants like ammonia. This results in costly, complex, and inefficient monitoring. MULTI TRACE introduces the world's first field-deployed dual comb spectrometer platform, enabling real-time tracking of three vital trace gases including nitrogen dioxide and ozone. This innovative technology is unique in Europe for its capability to monitor multiple gasses simultaneously with high temporal resolution on the second scale. Trace gases are often interconnected through solar-induced reactions, complicating accurate concentration measurement; however, MULTI TRACE operates in a spectral range where strong absorption signatures for all gases under scrutiny are present. Field investigations will showcase the platform's capacity to monitor gas concentration fluctuations in varied urban and forested settings, confirming its versatility, innovation, and reliability. Collaborating with a leading laser company and engaging with stakeholders from different environmental sectors in Austria, we aim to create a prototype that surpasses current commercial devices in detection limits and temporal resolution. MULTI TRACE has the potential to transform gas monitoring applications not only for environmental sensing but also across industries like oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, and emergency services. Portable gas detectors are essential for safety, helping to identify leaks and monitor volatile organic compounds. As regulatory frameworks tighten and workplace safety awareness increases, the global market is projected to grow from an estimated $5.07 billion in 2024 to $8.81 billion by 2034, displaying an annual growth rate of 5.69%.
Projet ERC : SOLAR-H2 (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Messine — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 105000.0 €

The SOLAR-H2 project introduces a groundbreaking artificial tree (AT)-like technology for distributed, on-demand H2 production, designed for zero-carbon communities and off-grid applications. Unlike conventional electrolysers requiring high-purity water and grid electricity, this system has near-zero operational costs, leveraging solar energy and capture of reactants from the ambient. The aim is to develop a showcase prototype for the Solar Hub under development at the Univ Messina to present to stakeholders the potential of AT technologies. The innovative approach integrates photo-electrocatalysis, where CO2 and H2O are converted into H2 and formic acid (FA) using sunlight. The latter acts as a hydrogen storage medium, enabling on-demand or continuous H2 production, even during the night, through catalytic decomposition. Additionally, the system ensures a closed-loop CO2 recirculation, with minimal losses compensated by external CO2 sources, making it a highly sustainable and carbon-efficient solution. Building upon the ERC Synergy SCOPE project, SOLAR-H2 aims to advance the technology to TRL4. This will involve scaling up to a small-scale demonstrator, improving performance and gas-diffusion electrodes as well as the cell for stable continuous operation, and integrating the systems for capturing reagents and the storage/decomposition-on-demand of FA. The project assesses techno-economic and socio-environmental aspects, along with a market analysis to identify key barriers and opportunities. The exploration strategy is to build a first demonstrator for the Solar Hub to foster this important area of solar-to-chemical conversion and lay the foundation for a spin-off company, positioning formic acid as a breakthrough hydrogen vector in the clean energy transition. By bridging the gap between lab-scale research and industrial feasibility, SOLAR-H2 will de-risk the transition paving the way for large-scale adoption of sustainable H2 production technologies.

Mots-clés : solar h2 artificial tree hydrogen solar hub formic acid
Projet ERC : FRESCO (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université technique de Graz — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU Graz
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Enhancing food safety and reducing waste are global challenges, especially with the rise in food consumption and distribution. Food spoilage is a key component of these challenges. One of the critical indicators of food spoilage is the presence of toxic compounds formed by microbial activity in protein-rich foods such as fish, meat, and cheese. The FRESCO project develops an innovative colorimetric sensor for detecting toxic by-products. This sensor utilizes advanced porous materials that change color when exposed to harmful levels of toxic by-products, enabling real-time monitoring in food packaging. The sensor material, combined with a polymeric-based matrix, will be integrated into flexible packaging materials, allowing continuous observation of food freshness. By tracking color changes, it will be possible to monitor food quality. FRESCO aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting food safety and reducing waste, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by minimizing the risk of foodborne illnesses, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by enabling more sustainable food management practices. This project utilizes advanced porous composites and builds upon the findings of previous ERC-funded work to deliver a practical, scalable, and cost-effective solution. With its potential to improve food quality control in real-time and reduce food spoilage, FRESCO is set to advance the food packaging industry and contribute to healthier and more sustainable consumption.

Mots-clés : food safety,sensing,porous materials
Projet ERC : OptoWave (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : University Medical Center Göttingen — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UMG
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The optical cochlear implant (oCI) aims to restore near natural hearing in profoundly hearing impaired and deaf patients. Sound perception will be restored through an implantable medical device in combination with a gene therapy medicinal product. Thereby the auditory nerve is stimulated directly through focused light replacing the dysfunctional or absent hair cells. This is achieved through combination of micro-scale light emitter technology and precise neural control through expression of light-gated ion channels in the auditory nerve (called optogenetics).  Here, we propose to prove feasibility of an optical waveguide modules for future optical cochlear implants. Building on fabricating micro-scaled waveguide arrays, multi-beam laser diode emitters, we plan to couple them via micro-lens arrays in a compact multi-channel optical module for testing the feasibility of miniaturization and integration of the optical components. Preclinical validation shall be performed in rodents.  The proposed waveguide-based optical module combines several aspects, which makes it a candidate for later clinical application. The optical emitters can be safely integrated in the hermetically sealed titanium package housing the internal oCI electronics. Thus, there is no need to directly insert the emitters in the cochlear turns, which mitigates the risk of heat impact on the patient during optical stimulation. Furthermore, emerging red light activated opsins can be addressed by readily available red laser diode technology.
Projet ERC : MYELOMA-RISK (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Stremble ventures ltd — Pays : Chypre — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : STREMBLE
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 75000.0 €

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological cancer which is symptomless until the later stages, with few treatment options and poor long-term prognoses. Next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) has been used to identify and characterise the process of clonal evolution and disease progression in asymptomatic MM, however, there remains no viable prognostic NGS method which can be used by clinicians to leverage different mutations to predict progression. The scientific literature indicates the methods under research utilise large genomic regions and significant coverage in sequencing that would result in prohibitively high costs of testing if applied to the clinical domain. The aim of this PoC project is to develop a complete, low-cost prognostic bioinformatics tool able to characterise the driver mutation signatures of MM in order to allow early diagnosis, monitor progression and potentially identify at risk patients that may benefit from early treatment to improve outcomes.
Projet ERC : HYPER (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Pavie — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Recent advances in Coherent X-ray Microscopy opened new exciting avenues for 2D/3D imaging, allowing to visualize deformations in batteries and solar cells during charge migration, magnetic topologies, catalysts pollution, transistors fabrication defects, neuron activity. These emerging applications are expected to offer significant growth opportunities to market players in the coming years, complementing the possibilities offered by optical and electron-based microscopy methods. However, the expansion of this technology is currently hindered by its availability at facility-scale installations, where implementations are expensive and limit accessibility to a highly-specialized community. In ULTRAIMAGE (851154), we tackled the challenge by scaling this technology to a tabletop device, while retaining flexibility and complementary facility-scale performances. Specifically, we prototyped a coherent XUV microscope which offers the following advantages: (i) femtosecond time- and Ångstrom-to-nanometer spatial resolution; (ii) exquisite material composition and height contrast, through amplitude and phase; (iii) self-diagnostic capabilities of aberrations and misalignments; (iv) quantitative, multimodal, non-destructive imaging. HYPER aims towards the next step of R&I, increasing robustness, throughput, speed, and availability to the public, while retaining cost-effectiveness. Key to this advancement is: (i) implementation of beamline-style, real-time, diagnostics of intensity, spectrum, wavefront of the illumination; (ii) use of code parallelization, deep-learning, and fast XUV detection technology. Accessibility to a broad range of stakeholders and end users, and the translation to market of the consolidated technology, will be deployed through a strategic network of academe and industry partners. HYPER will foster broad, unprecedented understanding of functionality at the nanoscale, vital to the design of next generation optoelectronics and biomedical devices.
Projet ERC : DEMONIA (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : IMDEA
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The growing world population is pressing on an increasing global food and energy demand, and simultaneously contributing to an unceasing rise in carbon dioxide emissions. In this context, finding inexpensive and fossil-free pathways to supply energy and food has become one of the most critical challenges of this century. On this scenario, ammonia (NH3) is envisaged as a zero-carbon fertiliser, fuel and energy store, with a potential key role in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. DEMONIA is a high gain proposal to address the aforementioned challenges, by means of the development of a scalable and environmentally friendly photoelectrocatalytic device for the production of solar ammonia. This key platform molecule will be produced using a new generation of hybrid heterostructures based on Conjugated Porous Polymers (CPPs), which have not been studied for NH3 production until now. These materials are expected to outperform conventional photoelectrodes, leading to higher N2 conversion to ammonia. DEMONIA project will evaluate the feasibility of this novel photoelectrochemical solar ammonia approach, with the aim of accelerating the development of this technology for a near-future access to the market. The success of this proof of concept will have important commercial implications in a wide range of energetic and environmental research areas (energy sector, agriculture, transportation, chemical and pharmaceutical industry). Besides, the strong inter- and multidisciplinary approach (chemical, physical, engineering and materials science) of this proposal is expected to impact on several fields, from fundamental research to applied investigations concerning renewable energy production. The transfer knowledge plan will be a vendor IP strategy based on the information obtained by previous contacts with Industry/manufacturer holders with interest on this innovative technology. It implies Effectiveness, Patent, Transfer of Knowledge, and Dissemination.
Projet ERC : FitSleep (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Somnial technologies sro — Pays : Rép. Tchèque — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 75000.0 €

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder characterized by episodes of decreased or absent inspiratory airflow during sleep. OSA is the world’s second-most common sleep disorder, plaguing over 1 billion patients worldwide with relentless, disruptive periods of restricted airflow during sleep. This can have dramatic effects, ranging from excessive daytime sleepiness to other comorbidities such as stroke, hypertension or depression. The effects of this disorder are pervasive and far-reaching, as diminished sleep quality eventually reduces general quality of life. Positive airway pressure (PAP) delivered through a tight-fitting mask is currently the most advanced technique for preventing airway collapse or airway narrowing during sleep, and is considered the primary treatment option for patients with moderate to severe OSA. However, despite improvements in quieter pumps and more comfortable masks, this approach has several disadvantages and patients very often struggle to comply with the therapy. We have recently shown that a non-invasive form of HNS can be effective in treating OSA patients by using temporal interference (TI) , a new non-invasive electrical stimulation technology which has been successfully advanced also for other clinical applications by the PI. Our device revolutionizes sleep apnea treatment with the efficacy of upper airway stimulation, without requiring surgery. Our proprietary new technology generates comfortable electrical fields which activate the tongue muscle and open airways. Its effectiveness is comparable to the best in market, while remaining non-invasive and financially accessible. FitSleep is an essential part of our exploitation strategy, which will ensure we advance the technology from TRL4 (currently) to TRL5. This will give us an ideal position for a subsequent EIC Transition application.
Projet ERC : CarboMed (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université Radboud de Nimègue — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

CarboMed will assess the commercial viability of targeting cancer cell glycosylation as a next-generation therapeutic strategy to treat cancer in the clinic. Carbohydrates (glycans) coat the cell of every organism. The glycosylation pattern of cancer cells is, however, very different from that of healthy cells and is associated with aggressive and invasive forms of cancers. By combining our knowledge on carbohydrate chemistry and cancer immunology we targeted the cancer-cell protecting carbohydrate coat, hampering the cancer's ability to grow and metastasize. In this project, we aim to deliver a technical and commercial proof-of-concept for targeting the glycosylation of cancer cells to ultimately enable clinical studies
Projet ERC : StreP (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Institut de micro-électronique et composants — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : IMEC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 40000.0 €

CO2 neutral energy generation is needed for climate change. PV can solve a large portion of this need. In densely populated areas, the use of land is scarce and therefore PV integrated in the built and living environment is preferred to make double use of land area. Flexible PV sheets already exist, but the present PV sheets cannot be stretched or elongated like textile that is placed under stress. The existing PV sheets can be rolled and bended, but not elongated, which is important when the PV sheets would be integrated into e.g. the architectural textile. This project aims to solve this problem by making the interconnection between the solar cells stretchable. This would open many opportunities to integrate these PV foils in applications where the flexible sheets are placed under severe mechanical stress or tension. In this project we will use flexible CIGS PV cells, which are also used in the present flexible PV modules. To allow stretching of the foil under mechanical stress, it requires a special interconnection technology. A patent pending technology has been developed to create a series interconnection between the flexible solar cells, that at the same time can be stretched several millimeters, so that an elongation of 3 to 10% of the PV foil would become possible. This would be new and opens the possibility to integrate the PV foil in any tent-like structure. Applications we foresee are: - PV integrated in tents for refugee camps. Integration of the PV on the tents itself, will create immediately energy generation at the moment of setting up the tents. - Agricultural PV is a fast-expanding PV segment. For this application, the resistance to wind pressure is an important factor and stretchable PV would be a solution to overcome that problem. - Architectural textile is used for making domes to cover sport or other large infrastructure (with dimensions up to 600m x 400m). These large roof surfaces would be ideal to generate part of the CO2 neutral energy.
Projet ERC : CHEMOPROTECT (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Antoni van Leeuwenhoekziekenhuis — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : AVL
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Many of the clinically used cancer chemotherapies have considerable short-term side effects, including fatigue, bone marrow suppression, nausea, diarrhea, and hair loss. Long-term side effects include cognitive impairment, organ dysfunction, and even secondary cancers. A body of evidence indicates that senescent cells induced by chemotherapy in non-cancerous tissues play a major part in these toxicities of chemotherapy. As part of the SENCAN grant, we have developed a cocktail of two drugs that is efficient in killing senescent cancer cells. This so-called senolytic cocktail synergizes strongly with chemotherapy in eradicating tumors in experimental animals. The senolytic cocktail acts independently of the genetic context of the cancer, thus demonstrating superior efficacy compared to other senolytic agents, which are context-dependent. We will test in this proof-of-concept grant whether this cocktail can also reduce the side effects of cancer chemotherapy by eliminating the senescent cells from non-cancerous tissues in mice. We use transgenic mice that carry a reporter gene that is activated in senescent cells and hence, tissues become luminescent when non-tumor-bearing animals are treated with chemotherapy. In pilot experiments, we have seen suppression of the luminescent signal when mice are treated with our senolytic cocktail post-chemotherapy. In this application, we plan to investigate the effect of the senolytic cocktail on vital organs that are often affected by chemotherapy: the bone marrow, the heart, and muscle (fatigue). If successful, the case for use of the senolytic cocktail in combination with cancer chemotherapy would become even stronger: not only have we already shown that the cocktail synergizes with chemotherapy in eradicating tumors in vivo in SENCAN, but the present work may also support the notion that the senolytic cocktail can suppress the toxicities that are invariably associated with cancer chemotherapy treatment.