Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : REGFUT (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems
Entité participante : The british institute in eastern africa lbg — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Biea
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 130188.75 €

In the last two decades, an information revolution in the global south has profoundly shaped the urbanisation of metropolitan regions. Global and national initiatives to adopt smart technologies in local governments, with the claim that opportunities presented by digitalisation will resolve the challenges of urbanisation – are now literally automating regional futures. This project will conduct the first comprehensive South-South investigation of the dynamics of digitalisation-as-urbanisation – the transition to automated planning processes in metropolitan regions, and its impacts on regional urbanisation. The project will conduct research in peri-urban municipalities of three rapidly growing metropolitan regions of the global south where municipal digitalisation is directed towards strategic regional planning. These municipalities face major challenges with transforming paper-based colonial and postcolonial bureaucracies into automated planning processes within highly unequal contexts, and therefore represent the wider experience of digitalisation-as-urbanisation in the global south. Through detailed ethnography, interviews and information audit trails in digitalising municipalities, the project will investigate a) the rescaling of governance to the local digitalising state; b) the territorialisation of information infrastructures; and c) territorial politics of digitalisation. It will examine how digitalisation produces new territories for regional urbanisation and how state and non-state actors are assisting, contesting and disrupting these regional futures. It will bring to fruition the applicant’s agenda setting work on postcolonial urban futures, smart cities, digital citizenships and recent work on the governance of small cities in the global south. The project will build new theories and detailed empirical evidence of southern urbanisation as both a product and a producer of the ‘information revolution’ in the global south.

Mots-clés : digitalising state,regional future,urbanisation,information revolution,municipal governance
Projet ERC : PAIXUE (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Cultures and cultural production
Entité participante : University of Edinburgh — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1999155.0 €

In the medieval Eurasian geopolitical space, Byzantium and China stand out as two centralised imperial orders that drew on seemingly unbroken, in fact purposely constructed, traditions of classicising learning. PAIXUE examines in tandem, with equal focus on structural parallels and divergences, the conscious revival and subsequent dialectics of classicising learning in middle and later Byzantium (c.800–1350) and Tang/Song China (618–1279). Initially tied into aristocratic culture, it became a tool by which the imperial state sought to monopolise prestige and access to power so as to effectively channel the activities of newly emerging burgeoning ‘middling’ strata into the service of empire. As time progressed, it was also the basis upon which these new elites constructed novel forms of subjectivity that claimed authority and agency increasingly independent of the imperial state. PAIXUE traces this evolution of classicising learning in Byzantine and Tang/Song literati culture from two angles. The rst examines the galvanising function of social performances that involved classicising learning in the imperial systems. The second places the individual literatus centre-stage and explores the transformations of self-awareness, ethos, and self-cultivation. Given PAIXUE’s concern with examining phenomena cross-culturally in the longue-durée, rather than merely juxtaposing ‘spotlight’ impressions, a comparison of these two imperial systems does not only allow for deeper insights into the historical development of both China and Byzantium: it opens the possibility of studying cultural mechanisms behind the formation of institutions, practices and values. The project explores novel forms of collaboration in the humanities, including the co-authoring of research output between Byzantinists and Sinologists. Byzantium, frequently perceived as the ‘Other’ within western culture to the present day, serves here to build meaningful bridges to (pre-modern) China.

Mots-clés : byzantine studies,tang song studies,empire studies,performance studies,history of emotions
Projet ERC : DrEAM (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : University of Basel — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2490700.0 €

In the past decade, artificial metalloenzymes (AMs) have emerged as an attractive alternative to the more traditional enzymes and homogeneous catalysts. Such hybrid catalysts result from the incorporation of an abiotic metal cofactor within a macromolecule (protein or oligonucleotide). Artificial metalloenzymes combine attractive features of both homogeneous catalysts and enzymes, including the possibility to genetically optimize the catalytic performance of new-to-nature organometallic reactions. Can artificial metalloenzymes become as catalytically efficient as naturally-evolved metalloenzymes, even in complex biological mixtures? Herein, we outline our efforts to address this challenge by localizing and evolving AMs within the periplasm of Escherichia coli. To achieve this objective, we will exploit AMs based on the biotin-streptavidin technology. Four subprojects have been tailored to address the challenges: i) knock-out deleterious components present in the periplasm; ii) improve the cofactor uptake through the outer-membrane; iii) engineer streptavidin to boost the AM’s performance; and iv) rely both on screening and selection strategies to evolve AMs in vivo. Relying on auxotrophs, we will demonstrate the potential of AMs to complement metabolic pathways. Only E. coli auxotrophs containing an evolved AM capable of producing the vital aminoacid-precursor will survive the stringent selection pressure. We have identified several selectable aminoacid precursors which can be produced by metathesis (indole, precursor of tryptophan), enone reduction (keto valine, precursor of valine) and allylic substitution (prephenate, precursor of tyrosine and phenylalanine). In a Darwinian evolution spirit, we anticipate that applying selection pressure will allow to evolve AMs to unprecedented catalytic performance. The main deliverable of the DrEAM is an engineered and evolvable E. coli strain capable of performing in vivo reaction cascades combining AMs and natural enzymes.

Mots-clés : artificial metalloenzymes,biotin avidin technology
Projet ERC : NonlinearTopo (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Weizmann Institute of Science — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1721706.0 €

In the past decade, the band-structure topology and related topological materials have been intensively studied mostly by revealing their unique surface states. The current proposal sets a new paradigm by focusing on nonlinear optical phenomena in topological semimetals (TSMs). I aim to investigate the photocurrent and second-harmonic generation, as well as to discover novel nonlinear effects. The strength of TSMs lies in the fact that the giant Berry curvature in their band-crossing regions (e.g., Weyl points) can strongly boost these nonlinear effects, such as inducing a colossal photocurrent. Current understanding of the photocurrent is based on a model that considers the two-band transition within a Weyl cone. In the field of nonlinear optics, however, it is known that the photocurrent largely comes from three-band virtual transitions. Unfortunately, the nonlinear optics theory cannot be simply applied to TSMs due to the unphysical divergence of the photocurrent at band-crossing points. Therefore, I propose to bring the concept of three-band transitions to TSMs by reformulating the photocurrent theory framework. The new methodology represents the challenging and ground-breaking nature of the current proposal. Beyond the optical excitation, I further propose to explore exotic nonlinear electric and thermoelectric phenomena at the zero-frequency limit. I aim to build up a diagnostic tool that explores the nonlinear phenomena in a vast number of real TSM materials and directly probe the bulk topology by investigating their nonlinear properties. For example, my recent results have exposed a new group of Weyl points in a well-known Weyl semimetal by analysing the photocurrent distribution in its band structure. External perturbations can sensitively modify the TSM band structure, hence tune the induced photocurrent. This controllable photocurrent opens the door for novel device concepts, such as an optoelectronic transistor controlled by an external magnetic field.

Mots-clés : weyl semimetal,ab initio,berry curvature
Projet ERC : JCR (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems
Entité participante : Bar-Ilan University — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BIU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1272534.0 €

In the past few decades, the role of judges has changed dramatically and its nature has remained largely unexplored. To date, most cases settle or reach plea-bargaining, and the greater part of judges’ time is spent on managing cases and encouraging parties to reach consensual solutions. Adjudication based on formal rules is a rare phenomenon which judges mostly avoid. The hypothesis underlying JCR is that the various Conflict Resolution methods which are used outside the courtroom, as alternatives to adjudication, could have a strong and positive influence, both theoretical and practical, on judicial activities inside the courts. Judicial activities may be conceptualised along the lines of generic modes of conflict resolution such as mediation and arbitration. Judicial conflict resolution activity is performed in the shadow of authority and in tension with it, and crosses the boundaries between criminal and civil conflicts. It can be evaluated, studied and improved through criteria which go beyond the prevalent search for efficiency in court administration. Empirically, JCR will study judicial activities in promoting settlements comparatively from a quantitative and qualitative perspective, by using statistical analysis, in-depth interviews, mapping and framing legal resources, court observations and narrative analysis. Theoretically, JCR will develop a conflict resolution jurisprudence, which prioritises consent over coercion as a leading value for the administration of justice. Prescriptively, JCR will promote a participatory endeavour to build training programs for judges that implement the research findings regarding the judicial role. Following such findings, JCR will also consider generating recommendations to change legal rules, codes of ethics, measures of evaluation, and policy framings. JCR will increase accountability and access to justice by introducing coherence into a mainstream activity of processing legal conflicts.

Mots-clés : judicial conflict resolution,alternative dispute resolution,mediation,therapeutics jurisprudence,non adversarial justice
Projet ERC : STAMFORD (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : University of Luxembourg — Pays : Luxembourg — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1504549.35 €

In the past twenty years the availability of vast dimensional data, typically referred to as big data, has given rise to exciting challenges in various fields of mathematics and computer sciences. The increasing need for getting a better understanding of such data in internet traffic, biology, genetics, and economics, has lead to a revolution in statistical and machine learning, optimisation and numerical analysis. Due to high dimensionality of modern statistical models, parameter estimation is a difficult task and statisticians typically investigate estimation methods under sparsity constraints. While an abundance of estimation algorithms is now available for high dimensional discrete models, a rigorous mathematical investigation of estimation problems for high dimensional continuous-time processes is completely undeveloped. The aim of STAMFORD is to provide a concise statistical theory for estimation of high dimensional diffusions. Such high dimensional processes naturally appear in modelling particle interactions in physics, neural networks in biology or large portfolios in economics, just to name a few. The methodological part of the project will require development of novel advanced techniques in mathematical statistics and probability theory. In particular, new results will be needed in parametric and non-parametric statistics, and high dimensional probability, that are reaching far beyond the state-of-the-art. Hence, a successful outcome of STAMFORD will not only have a tremendous impact on statistical inference for continuous-time models in natural and applied sciences, but also strongly influence the field of high dimensional statistics and probability.
Projet ERC : BrainRedesign (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : Max Planck Society — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : MPG
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2493750.0 €

In the pre-optogenetics era, molecular genetics defined the concepts of neural circuit development providing mechanistic insights into axon guidance and synapse assembly. However, this approach often revealed limited insights into the function of the circuits studied. Since 2005, optogenetics has revolutionized our approach to functionally dissect brain circuits and has tremendously increased our understanding of how they contribute to specific behaviours. However, how these circuits assemble during development remains mostly unknown. Here, I propose to combine these two approaches: to genetically redesign specific circuits during mouse development in a predictable fashion, and to test the consequences for innate and learned behaviour. This novel line of research follows concepts of synthetic biology, which aims at reconstructing cellular systems, with the intention of redesigning brain circuits to reroute information processing for new behavioural purposes. We aim to demonstrate that targeted mis-expression of connectivity signals can alter specific neural circuits and communications between circuit components along measurable hypotheses. Activation of such an artificial circuit, by either natural stimuli or optogenetics, is likely to produce a set of behavioural outcomes that will reveal general connectivity rules, the capacity for behavioural plasticity, and possible functional redundancies between circuits. Anatomical and physiological dissection of the redesigned circuit will reveal to what extent the incoming afferents instruct the target cells to produce their output responses. Our focus will be on the amygdala, a forebrain structure necessary for processing aversive and rewarding stimuli and orchestrating behavioural responses, and a brain circuit characterized by a high degree of cellular heterogeneity and interconnectivity. Overall, this work will provide important insights into the principles of developmental circuit wiring in the mammalian brain.

Mots-clés : amygdala,optogenetics,axon guidance,semaphorins,circuit assembly,single cell rna sequencing,appetitive behaviour,defensive behaviour,pavlovian conditioning
Projet ERC : SoftHand Pro-H (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Italian Institute of Technology — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 76037.0 €

In the project “SoftHands” we have achieved not only a more thorough understanding of the organization and control of hands, but also a principled approach to taming the complexity of hand design. The original concept of “soft synergies” has underpinned the realization of radically new artificial hands: “SoftHands” have been demonstrated to be more adaptive and capable than most artificial hands, yet are simpler to control and more robust. One application of these ideas and technologies which stands out for potential impact and social relevance, although not originally foreseen in the ERC AG plan, is the realization of upper limb pros-theses. The objective to realize a prosthetic hand that is anthropomorphic, aesthetically pleasing, and enables an amputee to perform most activities of daily living as well as advanced prostheses, while being robust, intuitive, and economic as basic body-powered split-hook prostheses requires a much longer and larger re-search and development effort than an ERC POC can support. In this proposal we study the feasibility of applying the SoftHand technology to address one particular, but very important, objective, i.e. work-oriented prostheses. The specific requirements of these applications are high grip power, grasp versatility, resilience, resistance to water, dust, and temperature, durability, power autonomy and low cost – while factors such as aesthetics or silent operation are less dominant. Of particular relevance is the control interface with the patient. Virtually all work-oriented prostheses are operated via a body-powered cable, which is very intuitive to use and does not need batteries, motors, and sensors. On the other hand, advanced multi-fingered prostheses have sophisticated myoelectric control affording versatility and dexterity. In this project, we will engineer and experiment a novel hybrid control for a SoftHand prosthe-sis, whereby a traditional cable harness commands the advanced mechatronic system of the SoftHand.

Mots-clés : robotics,prosthetics,rehabilitation,assitive technology
Projet ERC : TRANSHOLOMORPHIC (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1624500.0 €

In the study of symplectic and contact manifolds, a decisive role has been played by the theory of pseudoholomorphic curves, introduced by Gromov in 1985. One major drawback of this theory is the fundamental conflict between "genericity" and "symmetry", which for instance causes moduli spaces of holomorphic curves to be singular or have the wrong dimension whenever multiply covered curves are present. Most traditional solutions to this problem involve abstract perturbations of the Cauchy-Riemann equation, but recently there has been progress in tackling the transversality problem more directly, leading in particular to a proof of the "super-rigidity" conjecture on symplectic Calabi-Yau 6-manifolds. The overriding goal of the proposed project is to unravel the full implications of these new transversality techniques for problems in symplectic topology and neighboring fields. Examples of applications to be explored include: (1) Understanding the symplectic field theory of unit cotangent bundles for manifolds with negative or nonpositive curvature, with applications to the nearby Lagrangian conjecture and dynamical questions in Riemannian geometry; (2) Developing a comprehensive bifurcation theory for Reeb orbits and holomorphic curves in symplectic cobordisms, leading e.g. to a proof that planar contact structures are "quasiflexible"; (3) Completing the analytical foundations of Hutchings's embedded contact homology (ECH), a 3-dimensional holomorphic curve theory with important applications to dynamics and symplectic embedding problems; (4) Developing new refinements of the Gromov-Witten invariants based on super-rigidity and bifurcation theory; (5) Defining higher-dimensional analogues of ECH; (6) Proving integrality relations in the setting of 6-dimensional symplectic cobordisms, analogous to the Gopakumar-Vafa formula for Calabi-Yau 3-folds.

Mots-clés : symplectic topology,contact topology,pseudoholomorphic curves,symplectic field theory,transversality,bifurcation theory,hamiltonian dynamics,gromov witten invariants,super rigidity
Projet ERC : TEAMDEP (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Human Mind and Its Complexity
Entité participante : University of Helsinki — Pays : Finlande — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UH
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2496146.25 €

In the traditional so-called Tarski’s Truth Definition the semantics of first order logic is defined with respect to an assignment of values to the free variables. A richer family of semantic concepts can be modelled if semantics is defined with respect to a set (a "team") of such assignments. This is what is called team semantics, a term coined by the PI in his 2007 monograph, and used ever since to describe this highly non-trivial modification of Tarskian semantics. Team semantics was introduced around the same time in inquisitive logic under the name state semantics. Examples of semantic concepts available in team semantics but not in traditional Tarski semantics are the concepts of dependence and independence. The PI introduced what he called dependence logic around these concepts. It appears that teams appear naturally in several areas of sciences and humanities which has made it possible to apply dependence logic and its variants to these areas. Now is the right moment to move from dependence logic to a broader explication of team semantics. This is what the TEAMDEP project proposes to do. In the TEAMDEP project we take team semantics to a new level by focusing on its hard axiomatizability questions and to its applications to the foundations of quantum mechanics and to the multiverse of set theory.

Mots-clés : mathematical logic,team semantics,dependence logic,formal methods,multiverse,generalized quantifier,second order logic,set theory
Projet ERC : LTCeramics (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : University of Oulu — Pays : Finlande — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : U. Oulu
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

In this ERC PoC project, materials and methods developed in “Printed Electroceramics with Ultimate Compositions” will be utilised to demonstrate the feasibility of dielectric ultra-low temperature ceramics as basic electrical components realised on polymer, metal foil and paper substrates. The aims are to realise a set of capacitors and microwave antennae utilising high permittivity ceramic coatings as integral structures (without gluing, adhesives, etc. of discrete components) of aforementioned 3D substrates. In addition, the IPR strategy will be created and potential markets analysed for these components..

Mots-clés : ceramics,ultra low sintering,capacitor,antenna,printable electronics