Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : TRENSCRYBE (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : Centre national de la recherche scientifique — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CNRS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2146607.5 €

TRENSCRYBE proposes a groundbreaking concept for a quantum simulator (QS) of spin systems. QSs aim at an in-depth understanding of many-body physics, important for fundamental issues (quantum transport, phase transitions), but also for the development of engineered materials. A QS transcribes the system of interest into another with the same dynamics but with a fully controlled Hamitlonian parameter set. It provides a complete access to all the systems observables and allows the exploration of regimes, in which numerical simulations are difficult or impossible due to the huge size of the Hilbert space. QSs of spin systems are the focus of an intense activity, e.g. with trapped ions, superconducting devices, atoms in optical lattices or low-angular-momentum Rydberg atoms. I propose with TRENSCRYBE a disruptive QS using trapped circular Rydberg atoms. Their microwave spontaneous emission can be inhibited, extending their lifetime in the minute range. In contrast with ordinary Rydberg states, they can be trapped in optical lattices, allowing one to take full benefit from such exceptional lifetimes. I propose an innovative preparation method of ultra-cold defect-free chains with a few tens of atoms. The QS realizes a Nearest-Neighbor XXZ spin-1/2 Hamiltonian in a transverse field, the spin states being coded on circular levels. Its parameters are fully tunable by adjusting a static electric field and a microwave dressing applied on the atoms. I will first benchmark this QS by adiabatic evolutions through the phase diagram of a 1-D chain in a regime where numerical results are available. I will explore quenches through quantum phase transitions and the generation of defects in a regime where numerical or theoretical predictions are difficult. I will realize a first step towards 2-D arrays with spin ladders and explore their topological phases. The realization of TRENSCRYBE will open a whole realm of new possibilities for quantum simulation of spin systems.

Mots-clés : quantum simulator,ultracold rydberg atoms,spin chain
Projet ERC : OPERANDOCAT (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Entité participante : Max Planck Society — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : MPG
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1715088.49 €

Tailoring the chemical reactivity of nanomaterials at the atomic level is one of the most important challenges in catalysis research. In order to achieve this elusive goal, fundamental understanding of the structural and chemical properties of these complex systems must be obtained. Numerous studies have been devoted to understanding the properties that affect the catalytic performance of metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as their size, interaction with the support, and chemical state. The role played by the NP shape on catalytic performance is, however, less understood. Complicating the analysis is the fact that the former parameters cannot be considered independently, since the NP size as well as the support will have an impact on the most stable NP shapes. In addition, the dynamic nature of the NP catalysts and their response to the environment must be taken into consideration, since the working state of a NP catalyst might not be the state in which the catalyst was prepared, but rather a structural and/or chemical isomer that adapted to the particular reaction conditions. To address the complexity of real-world catalysts, a synergistic approach taking advantage of a variety of cutting-edge experimental methods must be undertaken. This project focuses on model heterogeneous catalysts for reactions of tremendous societal and industrial relevance, namely the gas-phase hydrogenation and electrocatalytic reduction of CO2. Important components that are missing from existing studies, and that we propose to contribute, are a systematic design of catalytically active model NPs with narrow size and shape distributions and tunable oxidation state, and in situ and operando structural, chemical, and reactivity characterization of such model catalysts as a function of the reaction environment. The results are expected to open up new routes for the reutilization of CO2 through its direct conversion into valuable chemicals and fuels such as methanol, methane and ethylene.

Mots-clés : chemical physics
Projet ERC : TARGET_SYNAPTIC_TAU (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : VIB
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Tauopathies (that include Alzheimer’s disease) are characterized by hyperphosphorylation or mutations in the microtubuleassociated protein Tau. This reduces the affinity of Tau to bind microtubules and increases the levels of soluble detached Tau in neurons. Previous ERC-supported work from my lab showed that pathogenic Tau accumulates at pre-synaptic terminals and clusters synaptic vesicles in mouse and fly Tauopathy models and in Alzheimer patient brain samples. This pre-synaptic Tau reduces vesicle mobility and neurotransmitter release (Zhou et al., 2017). The interaction of Tau with synaptic vesicles occurs via the synaptic vesicle-associated protein Synaptogyrin-3. Lowering the levels of Synaptogyrin-3 blocks the ability of Tau to efficiently bind to synaptic vesicles (McInnes et al., 2018). Hence, Synaptogyrin-3 is a promising therapeutic target to tackle tauopathies. In this project I propose to use antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to reduce the levels of Synaptogyrin-3 in the brain of Tauopathy mouse models to rescue tau-induced pre-synaptic defects, including cognitive decline. ASO-technology has vastly improved over the past years and was recently approved to treat other degenerative disorders. My goal is to provide in vivo proof-of-concept that targeting Synaptogyrin-3 with an ASO in a therapeutic setting suppresses Tau-induced defects, including cognitive decline.

Mots-clés : synapse,neurodegeneration,animal model
Projet ERC : Scale-FreeBack (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
Entité participante : Université Grenoble Alpes — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : UGA
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 31515.0 €

Technology achievements were typically built upon fundamental theoretical findings, but nowadays technology seems to be evolving faster than our ability to develop new concepts and theories. Intelligent traffic systems benefit from many technical innovations, for example. Mobile phones, radars, cameras and magnetometers can be used to measure traffic evolution and provide large sets of valuable data. Vehicles can communicate with the network infrastructure, as well as each other. However, these huge technological advances have not been used to the full so far. Traffic lights are far from functioning optimally and traffic management systems do not always prevent the occurrence of congestions. So what is missing? Such systems affect our daily life; why aren’t them on pace with technology advances? Possible because they have become far more complex than the analytical tools available for managing them. Systems have many components, communicate with each other, have self-decision-making mechanisms, share an enormous amount of information, and form networks. Research in control systems has challenged some of these features, but not in a very concerted way. There is a lack of “glue” relating the solutions to each other. In the Scale-FreeBack project, it is proposed to approach this problem with a new holistic vision. Scale-FreeBack will first investigate appropriate scale-free dynamic modeling approaches breaking down system’s complexity, and then develop control and observation algorithms which are specifically tailored for such models. Scale-FreeBack will also investigate new resilient issues in control which are urgently required because of the increasing connectivity between systems and the external world. Road traffic networks will be used in proof-of-concept studies based on field tests performed at our Grenoble Traffic Lab (GTL) and in a large-scale microscopic simulator.
Projet ERC : LeviTeQ (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : University of London — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : U. London
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1498018.0 €

Technology is continuously miniaturizing. As it reaches the nanoscale we face unique challenges, such as managing thermal. From the other direction, advances in the quantum physics of a few atoms, ions, and solid-state qubits mean that we increasingly wish to scale up quantum systems, or interface them with nanoscale devices. Opto- and electro-mechanical (NEMS and MEMS) devices have been controlled at the quantum level in recent years, an amazing advance allowing even entanglement between light and mechanical motion. However, all such systems are plagued by unavoidable environmental contact, and energy dissipation through strain, limiting the potential of mechanical devices to participate in both classical and quantum technologies. By levitating the mechanical element, these problems are overcome. LEVITEQ will, for the first time, cool the motion and rotation of tailor-made silicon particles, enabling full quantum level control. This ultra-low dissipation system offers exquisite force sensitivity, by driving the rotation of a levitated nanorod. LEVITEQ will pioneer the control of nanoparticles by electronic circuits, allowing simple technological integration in a room temperature environment. This all-electrical system will challenge existing quartz crystal oscillator technology. LEVITEQ will explore new regimes of physics, by working in extreme vacuum, elucidating thermodynamics on the nanoscale. This research will pave the way for a levitated quantum object acting as a node in a quantum network, for coherent signal storage and conversion.

Mots-clés : optomechanics,optical trapping
Projet ERC : INHIBITHUMAN (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : Aarhus University — Pays : Danemark — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : AU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 703875.0 €

Temporal co-ordination of the activity of cortical neurons underlies cognitive processes. Intracortical inhibitory circuits set temporal windows for modulation of glutamatergic pyramidal cell firing. In non-human mammals, the activity of the GABAergic neurons is governed by other specialised GABAergic neurons, which can dis-inhibit pyramidal cells. The overarching aim of this project is to define cellular and pharmacological mechanisms of dis-inhibitory circuits in the human cerebral cortex. These circuits could act as regulators of cognitive process. First, we will investigate the neuron types and their synaptic influences to characterise how dis-inhibition controls synaptic integration and the output of neurons. Second, we will elucidate synaptic plasticity in dis-inhibitory circuits, as plastic events likely represent physiological substrates of cognitive operations. Third, we will identify the subcellular sites and the mechanisms of action of key receptors for ACh, monoamines, endocannabinoids, neuropeptides and mGluRs modulating dis-inhibitory circuits, which are targets of small molecule CNS drugs, such as cognitive enhancers. We will test three hypotheses: 1) the human cortical pyramidal cell output is gated by compartment-specific dis-inhibition mediated by specific interneurons; 2) activity-dependent plasticity occurs in dis-inhibitory circuits and has consequences for the output of cortical pyramidal neurons; 3) small molecule drugs act via dis-inhibitory mechanisms at cell-type specific sites altering the inhibitory dynamics of pyramidal cells leading to subcellular redistribution of inhibition and alteration in their output. Combined electrophysiology/imaging with neuropharmacology and high resolution molecular receptor localisation will generate an unprecedented knowledge of the human cortical circuits. Understanding human cortical neuronal connections and their responses to pharmacological interventions may also lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

Mots-clés : interneuron,gaba,cerebral cortex,electrophysiology,synaptic transmission,synaptic receptors
Projet ERC : SECCOPA (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Social World and Its Diversity
Entité participante : Comite national francais du c.t.i.f. — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1393560.99 €

Temporary employment has become widespread in industrialized nations and many concerns have been raised about this development. Against this background, we will provide new insights into the multi-faceted socio-economic consequences of temporary work. Theoretically, this project is innovative by developing a multilevel dynamic model that combines ideas from sociology, economics, psychology, and social policy. Specifically, we will gain a novel, comprehensive understanding of how temporary jobs affect the employment and work career, risks of income poverty and material deprivation, and subjective well-being. This project aims at estimating causal effects of temporary work using panel data and applying state-of-the-art methods of modern causal analysis. Complementing the dominant “upward” comparison of temporary jobs to permanent ones with a “downward” comparison of temporary jobs to unemployment has the potential for producing ground-breaking results on the integrative potential of temporary work for the unemployed. Furthermore, new evidence on the heterogeneity in the effects of temporary employment at the micro-level will be gained by conducting detailed subgroup analyses. Moreover, this project will advance research by elaborating the socio-economic consequences of temporary employment in a dynamic process and life course perspective. The selection, treatment, and outcome dynamics are investigated by following temporary workers and their household living arrangements over time. While previous studies have only focused on individual workers, the important household perspective and its moderating role will be elaborated, too. Analysing Western and Eastern European countries as well as the liberal welfare states Canada, the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia and applying innovative multilevel panel data methods will result in significant new insights and represent frontier research on the moderating role of the structural and institutional macro context.
Projet ERC : SPACE TIE (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : University of Bern — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UB
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1999563.0 €

Terrestrial Reference Frames (TRFs) are the basis to which all positions on the Earth’s surface and all satellite orbits in the near Earth space have to refer to. The changes in the Earth's shape, rotation, and gravity field, the so-called "three pillars" of geodesy, provide the conceptual and observational basis for the TRFs. For today’s TRF realizations, four space geodetic techniques are combined and linked by co-location sites on the Earth’s surface (“Earth’s shape”) and by common Earth orientation parameters (“Earth rotation”). The third pillar (“Earth’s gravity field”) is today only contributing to the TRF determination via its associated center-of-mass. In SPACE TIE we will pave the way to unify the “three pillars” of Geodesy in future TRF realizations. We propose to use two satellite geodetic techniques, namely Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), to connect them by co-location sites in space. These so-called space ties shall be realized on satellites of the currently existing space infrastructure, as well as on satellites due for launch in the near future. This includes the Medium Earth Orbits (MEO) of the GNSS satellites and, in particular, all satellites in Low Earth Orbits (LEO) with GNSS and SLR co-located on-board. To maximize the sensitivity to the Earth’s gravity field, the ultra-precise inter-satellite ranging between LEO satellites of dedicated gravity missions shall be added as a third satellite geodetic technique. One and the same state-of-the-art space geodetic software package will be used to ensure that standards, background models, and processing strategies are consistently applied across all co-location satellites and measurement techniques. The outcome of SPACE TIE will allow it to assess the geometric and gravimetric impact of mass transport in the atmosphere, oceans, and ice caps in a most consistent way to globally quantify the mass exchange between the different components of the system Earth.

Mots-clés : satellite geodesy,global navigation satellite systems,satellite laser ranging,satellite gravimetry
Projet ERC : CLOTHILDE (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
Entité participante : Spanish National Research Council — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2194024.0 €

Textile objects pervade human environments and their versatile manipulation by robots would open up a whole range of possibilities, from increasing the autonomy of elderly and disabled people, housekeeping and hospital logistics, to novel automation in the clothing internet business and upholstered product manufacturing. Although efficient procedures exist for the robotic handling of rigid objects and the virtual rendering of deformable objects, cloth manipulation in the real world has proven elusive, because the vast number of degrees of freedom involved in non-rigid deformations leads to unbearable uncertainties in perception and action outcomes. This proposal aims at developing a theory of cloth manipulation and carrying it all the way down to prototype implementation in our Lab. By combining powerful recent tools from computational topology and machine learning, we plan to characterize the state of textile objects and their transformations under given actions in a compact operational way (i.e., encoding task-relevant topological changes), which would permit probabilistic planning of actions (first one handed, then bimanual) that ensure reaching a desired cloth configuration despite noisy perceptions and inaccurate actions. In our approach, the robot will learn manipulation skills from an initial human demonstration, subsequently refined through reinforcement learning, plus occasional requests for user advice. The skills will be encoded as parameterised dynamical systems, and safe interaction with humans will be guaranteed by using a predictive controller based on a model of the robot dynamics. Prototypes will be developed for 3 envisaged applications: recognizing and folding clothes, putting an elastic cover on a mattress or a car seat, and helping elderly and disabled people to dress. The broad Robotics and AI background of the PI and the project narrow focus on clothing seem most appropriate to obtain a breakthrough in this hard fundamental research topic.

Mots-clés : assistive robotics,robotic manipulation,deformable object modeling,learning from,demonstration,computational topology,rgb d vision,probabilistic planning,textile industry,clothing business
Projet ERC : nuDirections (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 542125.0 €

Thanks to tremendous advances in terrestrial, astrophysical and cosmological experiments, neutrino physics has again become one of the driving forces of progress in astroparticle physics. The proposed project nuDirections provides the indispensable theoretical counterpart to the rapid experimental developments. Our goal is to investigate from a theoretical point of view a multitude of unexplored phenomena within and beyond the Standard Model of particle physics that are now becoming experimentally accessible in new neutrino experiments. The three main pillars of the project are: (1) Light sterile neutrinos. With hypothetical eV-scale sterile neutrinos coming under intense scrutiny by new experiments, sophisticated global fits will remain a linchpin for the theoretical interpretation of experimental data. We plan to carry out these fits using upgrades of our world-leading numerical codes, and to use our results as guidelines for exploring new theoretical models featuring sterile neutrinos as part of a larger "hidden sector" of particle physics. This includes in particular the unique phenomenology of self-interacting sterile neutrinos. (2) Decoherence effects in dense neutrino gases. As neutrinos propagate, coherence between different mass eigenstates is eventually lost due to their different group velocities. We will demonstrate that decoherence can completely modify neutrino oscillations in dense environments such as supernovae or the early Universe. Mapping the rich phenomenology of decoherence effects in neutrino oscillations thus has the potential to play a game-changing role in the physics of supernova neutrinos. (3) Neutrinos and dark matter. We plan to develop a new mechanism for the production of sterile neutrino dark matter in the early Universe and to play a leading role in the theory and phenomenology of neutrino signals from dark matter annihilation or decay.

Mots-clés : neutrino oscillations,sterile neutrinos,supernova neutrinos,quantum decoherence