Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : ModuLow (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Université de Glasgow — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1356152.0 €

The topological properties of low dimensional moduli spaces play a fundamental role across algebra, geometry, and topology. My research programme will build homotopical tools for moduli spaces of 3- and 4-manifolds, and moduli spaces of links in 3-manifolds, with my main applications being to manifold symmetries and configurations. The upgrading of discrete techniques for ‘an object’ to space-level techniques on ‘the moduli space of all such objects’ is a central theme.  Moduli spaces of manifolds, or, equivalently, classifying spaces of manifold diffeomorphism groups, are foundational objects which classify smooth manifold bundles. The diffeomorphism group of a manifold—the group of symmetries—is a topological group which ought to be studied through a homotopical lens. My recent joint work solved a conjecture of Kontsevich on the homotopy type of moduli spaces of 3-manifolds. This breakthrough lays the groundwork for some of my goals: I will use it to compute rational cohomology rings of salient 3-manifold moduli spaces, yielding characteristic classes of 3-manifold bundles. Furthermore, I will classify the existence of sections for natural maps between 3-manifold and 4-manifold moduli spaces.  The topological properties of moduli spaces of unparametrised links in 3-manifolds will play a central role: these can be viewed as configuration spaces of 1-manifolds in 3-manifolds. These spaces are yet to be thoroughly understood, and it is a fundamental problem to describe their homotopy type. I will prove a finiteness theorem, and develop a framework to compute motion groups of configurations of links in 3-manifolds. An underlying theme is homological stability, and I will show families of these spaces satisfy (higher) homological stability.  One of my main aims is to combine my work on all three moduli spaces, by introducing an innovative method to represent families of 4-manifold diffeomorphisms via motions of Kirby diagrams (decorated links) in a 3-manifold.

Mots-clés : knots,links,3 manifolds,4 manifolds,homological stability,moduli spaces,classifying spaces
Projet ERC : ENSYNC (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed Matter Physics
Entité participante : Université de Heidelberg — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1749624.0 €

Can we construct a cell from non-living matter? In search for answers, bottom-up synthetic biology has successfully encapsulated functional sets of biomolecules inside lipid vesicles, yet a “living” synthetic cell remains unattained. ENSYNC aims for a prototype of a synthetic cell that encompasses a fundamental characteristic of life, namely evolution. My past work shows that DNA origami can achieve custom-engineered synthetic cellular parts, but the mere encapsulation of preformed parts conflicts with the vision of a self-replicating and evolving synthetic cell. I here propose to produce and to replicate functional RNA origami structures inside of lipid vesicles (GUVs) by co-transcriptional folding from a DNA template. First, I will genetically encode an RNA nanopore and RNA origami structure which induces GUV division. The DNA template (“genotype”) will determine the GUVs’ permeability and their division rate (“phenotype”). This genotype-phenotype mapping is the basis for directed evolution of the rationally engineered RNA origami structures in the second step. In particular, I will aim for efficient GUV division in repeated cycles of genetic diversification and selection. In the third step, I will implement multiple growth and division cycles to enable continuous directed evolution. This will be achieved by system-level integration and laboratory automation of the directed evolution pipeline to iteratively reduce researcher intervention. Depending on externally applied selection pressures, continuous evolution will inevitably lead to the dominance of highly proliferating synthetic cells in mixed populations. ENSYNC provides fundamental insights into evolutionary processes as well as applicable RNA origami-based tools for nanopore sensing and as genetically encoded biophysical probes in cell biology. Overall, ENSYNC pushes the boundaries of bottom-up synthetic biology to the point where synthetic cells can be evolved towards a distinct goal in biotechnology.

Mots-clés : bottom up synthetic biology,rna origami,directed evolution,dna nanotechnology,synthetic cells,synthetic cell division,nanopores,giant unilamellar vesicles guvs,liposomes,lipid membranes,in vitro compartmentalization
Projet ERC : TOPOGRAND (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Entité participante : Université de Heidelberg — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 927500.0 €

Topology is a powerful paradigm for the classification of phases of matter. One of its direct manifestations in the widely studied Hermitian systems, which are isolated from the environment, are robust states that emerge at the interfaces between matter with distinct topological order. Real systems, however, are never truly isolated from their surroundings and the influence of the environment on the topologically protected states remains to a large extent unknown. Even more importantly, understanding and controlling the openness of non-Hermitian systems can provide fundamentally new ways to create novel topological states of matter. TopoGrand will realise a new experimental platform to synthesise non-Hermitian topological materials. It will employ a room-temperature photonic platform combining nanostructured optical microcavities with a molecular medium, to achieve non-Hermitian topological lattices of photon condensates. The system will feature tuneable openness that is unique among other presently available experimental platforms: a controlled flux of excitations via spatially selective pumping and loss, energy dissipation at variable rates, and coherence modified by grand canonical reservoirs. New physics will be accessed in the course of this work: TopoGrand will demonstrate genuine non-Hermitian topological phases and edge states without a Hermitian counterpart. Specifically, we will test the emergence of interface states at a topological phase boundary and their robustness against lattice disorder, as well as reservoir-induced fluctuations. The project presents a completely new approach to topology, which will allow us to create reconfigurable photonic materials with topological protection simply by controlling the environment. With the novel toolbox, I will explore the emerging links between photonics, condensed matter systems and quantum computing, and emulate finite-temperature topological systems, which are at the forefront of research in quantum physics.

Mots-clés : topological materials,nanophotonics,lasers,dissipative systems,nonequilibrium states of matter
Projet ERC : CHEIR (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences
Entité participante : Université de Milan — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1492004.0 €

Chirality is found throughout nature, but it occupies a special place in chemistry, perhaps for historical reasons, but mainly as a result of the beneficial properties of chiral molecules across a diverse range of areas, from medicine to materials science. The global aim of CHEIR is to achieve with unprecedented efficiency the propagation of chiral information along different length scales, based on the synergy of well-chosen molecular ingredients and physicochemical engineering. The artificial systems here involved can be considered as models for the transmission of chiral information through space. Such ambitious aim could be achieved developing a cargo-towing electro-pump based on chiral conducting polymers for targeted drug-delivery applications. The combination of four main ingredients, electric field and magnetic field (externally applied), electrical conductivity and enantiodiscrimination capability (intrinsic features of the object), makes these innovative miniaturized bipolar soft pumps perfect candidates for a multipurpose asymmetric detection. In such scenario inherent chirality can provide the breakthrough. It implies chirality and key functional properties to originate from the same structural element endowing the selector with extraordinary chirality manifestations that can be propagated from molecular level to the macroscopic one. Unprecedented recognition, in terms of energy differences, was recently observed, implementing inherently chiral materials as enantiopure electrode surfaces. Recently, attractive potentialities of these systems were also exploited in the field of bipolar electrochemistry and in the one of autonomous swimmers allowing to correlate the output signal with the concentration of the enantiomers present in solution. Such striking performance will prepare for the development of innovative systems with high impact in analytical, biological and pharmaceutical fields considering the project interdisciplinarity.

Mots-clés : inherent chirality,enantioselectivity,electro pumping systems,cargo towing systems,helical magneto swimmers,bipolar electrochemistry
Projet ERC : FermiMath (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Université de Milan — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1200387.0 €

The quantum many-body problem presents us with a baffling variety of phenomena whose mathematical understanding is just leaving infancy. One of the most prominent examples is the behavior of electrons in condensed matter: surprisingly, despite the presence of strong interactions between particles in the microscopic Schroedinger equation, on a macroscopic level one observes almost non-interacting particles. Moreover, some properties even turn out to be universal, i.e., do not depend on the details of the microscopic equation at all. Fermi liquid theory has been phenomenologically developed as an emergent theory to describe these correlation effects in systems of interacting fermionic particles. The first goal of this project is a rigorous derivation of Fermi liquid theory from the Schroedinger equation. My approach will be based on the analysis of high-density scaling limits. While the analysis of scaling limits has been tremendously successful in the last years for bosonic systems, in fermionic systems it has been restricted to the derivation of mean-field theories. Recently I have developed an approximate bosonization for three-dimensional systems which can be rigorously applied in high-density scaling limits. This is one of the few tools that permit an analysis beyond mean-field theory, enabling us now to describe correlations without relying on perturbation theory. The second goal is to show that one-dimensional systems can be analyzed similarly but display a very different behavior called Luttinger liquid, demonstrating that the approach allows to distinguish Fermi from non-Fermi liquids. Thus I will not only provide a unified justification of the non-interacting electron approximation in two and more dimensions, but also pave a new way to and partially resolve the classification problem of the fermionic phase diagram.

Mots-clés : quantum many body problem,schroedinger equation,effective theories,scaling limits
Projet ERC : 2DDip (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Entité participante : Université de Heidelberg — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1498500.0 €

Ordering in two-dimensional (2D) worlds is fundamentally different from what we know in 3D: Thermal fluctuations preclude conventional long-range order. An unconventional ordering mechanism based on topological defects may occur. The resulting order is topological, remains fluctuating, and intimately depends on the interparticle interactions. Many systems, including frustrated magnets, superconductors, colloids, and quantum gases, exhibit such orders. Their topological origin confers them exotic properties, of high technological interest, yet still partly enigmatic.  In ultracold Bose gases of magnetic atoms, short-range and long-range anisotropic dipolar interactions compete. Recently, such gases were observed to stabilize despite attractive mean interactions, through the effect of quantum fluctuations. This fueled the discovery of several new phases of matter in such 3D gases, a prominent example being supersolids, which show simultaneous superfluid and crystal orders. Building on my expertise in both fields, I propose to expand the rich physics of magnetic-gas orders to the exotic and yet unexplored 2D universe, in a new experimental setup. Due to the unique variety of orders featured in magnetic quantum gases – superfluid, crystal, plus their anisotropic features (orientational orders) – and their remarkable intertwining, an unprecedented playground for 2D topological ordering will be at hand. By exploring the phase diagram, I will aim to bring a deep understanding of ordering and reveal new quantum phases. First, I will focus on the repulsive regime and characterize the interplay between long-range anisotropic interactions and topological superfluidity. I will then explore the fluctuation-stabilized attractive regime. Here, I will map the novel variety of orders that 2D worlds provide. Focusing on their ordering mechanism will reveal unprecedented phenomena, such as topological supersolidity and (superfluid) liquid-crystals, opening new research avenues.

Mots-clés : many body quantum phenomena,quantum bose gases,dipole dipole interactions,phase transitions,two dimensional physics,topological order,topological defects,dysprosium
Projet ERC : K3Mod (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Université de Heidelberg — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1296705.0 €

Enumerative geometry is concerned with counting geometric objects on spaces defined by polynomial equations. The subject, which has roots going back to the ancient Greeks, was revolutionized by string theory in the 90s and has since become a fundamental link between algebraic geometry, representation theory, number theory and physics. With K3Mod I propose to establish a wide range of new correspondences in enumerative geometry. These link together different enumerative theories and open new perspectives to attack long-standing problems concerning the quantum cohomology of the Hilbert scheme of points on surfaces, modular properties of invariants of K3 surfaces, string partition functions of Calabi-Yau threefolds with links to Conway Moonshine, and a major case of the Crepant Resolution Conjecture.  The geometry of the Hilbert scheme of points on a surface will play a central role. I aim to prove a correspondence between its Gromov-Witten theory, and the Donaldson-Thomas theory of certain threefold families. Correspondences for moduli spaces of Higgs bundles and the orbifold theory of the symmetric product of surfaces will be considered as well. This provides methods to prove that Gromov-Witten invariants of Hilbert schemes of points on K3 surfaces are Fourier coefficients of quasi-Jacobi forms, possibly leading to a complete solution of their enumerative geometry. After elliptic curves, K3 surfaces form the simplest Calabi-Yau geometry for which a complete understanding of the Gromov-Witten theory is in reach. For elliptic threefolds, I will study the relationship of their Donaldson-Thomas invariants with quasi-Jacobi forms, using both degeneration techniques and wallcrossing formulae. The research goals of this proposal will lead to exciting new connections between geometry, modular forms, and representation theory. The results will provide a clear understanding of the interplay between Hilbert schemes, K3 surfaces, and modularity in enumerative geometry.
Projet ERC : RethinkingWork (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems
Entité participante : Université libre de Bruxelles — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ULB
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1498511.0 €

Despite the diagnosis that rethinking work beyond productivism is key for ecological transition, research on the future of work is confined to a general and abstract level, and therefore remains inoperative. This ERC aims to elucidate the role that national systems of labour law, which define and organise work, already play, and could play further, in the emancipation of work from productivism. To think about the future of work, we propose to start from present institutions, and uses, of labour law, but which, at the margins of the system, do already deviate from the dominant paradigm of productivism, to then develop, by extrapolation, concrete and plausible trajectories and policy proposals for the future of work. First, we will conduct a large-scale European comparative survey to map ‘deviant’ institutions of labour law that support the development of non-productivist time-spaces, i.e. places and moments dedicated to activities that are not productive in the economic sense of the term because they have little or no economic value. Second, we will investigate, through in-depth case studies, whether individuals develop ‘deviant’ uses of labour law to secure to themselves non-productivist time-spaces, beyond the law. Finally, building on these results, we will elaborate ideal-type trajectories for emancipating work from productivism and develop legal arguments supporting the extension of non-productivist time-spaces supported by labour law based on international, European and comparative law, as well as empirical data collected throughout the project. This ERC has the potential to remedy the current scientific bottlenecks in articulating concrete and grounded policy proposals and trajectories for the future of work. From a societal perspective, it will inform socio-economic players and political decision-makers so that, beyond their growing awareness of the limits of productivism on a finite planet, concrete labour law reforms can be debated and decided upon.

Mots-clés : labour law ecological transition sustainable welfare states ecological labour law post growth post productivism welfare fraud undeclared work environmental labour studies
Projet ERC : Time Matters (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Human Mind and Its Compl exity
Entité participante : Université de Stockholm — Pays : Suède — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499508.0 €

Addictive behaviours cause unprecedented disease burden and human suffering. Supporting people to quit is an urgent priority yet absolute quit rates are low due to momentary lapses which beget further lapses and relapse. Studies using high-resolution measurements in people’s daily lives have found that fluctuations in biopsychosocial factors (e.g., cravings, self-efficacy) are associated with lapse risk at the within-person level. This has led to my conceptualising addictive behaviours as dynamical systems which change continuously and non-linearly over time. Potent relapse prevention interventions will need the ability to provide the right type of support to individuals, when and where they most need it. However, this cannot be achieved through relying on dominant addiction theories which do not encode temporal information about dynamical systems and state-of-the-art experimental methods which are not suited for studying intervention effects over time, within individuals.  Time Matters will integrate previously unconnected theoretical and methodological advancements from addiction science and control engineering, including my unique skills in formal, dynamical systems modelling and novel within-person experimental designs, to uncover dynamic mechanisms of lapse and relapse across the addictions and optimise the intervention timing in systems which change over time. To achieve these ambitious goals, I will conduct five empirical studies and use advanced analytical techniques to integrate dynamic insights from temporally dense empirical data using low burden ‘microinteraction’ smartphone surveys, a new behavioural task suitable for smartphone delivery, smartwatches and smartphone meta-data. If successful, Time Matters has the potential to transform relapse prevention theories and interventions, ultimately helping to solve the perennial challenge of when, where and how to intervene for each person and reducing the global disease burden caused by addictive behaviours

Mots-clés : addictive behaviors relapse prevention ecological momentary assessment just in time adaptive intervention
Projet ERC : DECIDE (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Texts and Concepts
Entité participante : Université de Stockholm — Pays : Suède — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1439198.0 €

Since World War II, we have entered the era of ‘big science’. Experiments in the natural sciences today can involve hundreds or thousands of scientists, they generate enormous amounts of empirical data and they require ever larger instruments. The associated cost of experiments has unsurprisingly also soared. Personal research funds or smaller research grants no longer suffice to fund certain experiments; instead, they require significant financial support from multiple government agencies over a long period of time. Because of this increase in costs, scientists have had to change how they decide what experiments to pursue. The central research question of this project is therefore: how can scientists make optimal decisions about what future experiments to pursue, given the scale of experiments and the limited available resources? To answer this research question, the project will follow the approach of integrated history and philosophy of science. Through a careful study of the history of one of the most influential procedures for scientific funding decisions, the US Astronomy Decadal Survey, this project will: (i) trace the origins of current procedures for collective decision-making in science; (ii) investigate how these procedures have impacted the development of scientific research, specifically on the post-World War II history of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology; (iii) formulate a novel philosophical account on what makes an experiment pursuitworthy; and (iv) apply current insights from social epistemology on collective knowledge-making and values and science to a new context, collective setting of research priorities. Aside from its impact in history and philosophy of science, this project will have implications for the natural sciences by recommending revisions to current strategies for the setting of future research priorities. More broadly, this project will establish the nascent discipline of philosophy of astronomy and astrophysics in Europe.

Mots-clés : integrated history and philosophy of science,history and philosophy of astronomy,astrophysics,and cosmology,social epistemology,philosophy of experiment