Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : Q-ROOT (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : Université Claude Bernard - Lyon 1 — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Lyon I
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 0.0 €

5 years ago, the field of optomechanics has entered the quantum regime. By doing so, this domain which investigates the reciprocal interactions between light and mechanical motion has overcome the long-standing paradox of Quantum Mechanical effects at the macroscopic scale. Such outstanding achievement relies on the so-called “cavity nano-optomechanical” technology, which combines strongly reduced dimensions with ultra-high optical confinement, enabling very large optomechanical coupling rates at the nanoscale. In a more fundamental perspective, decreasing the size of optomechanical systems has enabled minimizing the detrimental effects of decoherence, resulting in a quasi-instantaneous collapse of quantum coherence at a macroscopic scale. At present, optomechanical systems seem to have reached their limits at cryogenic temperatures and remain overly sensitive to decoherence at room temperature to display any quantum behaviour. The project Q-ROOT proposes a novel cavity optomechanical approach showing such unprecedentedly large coupling rates that it will operate in the quantum regime at room temperature for the first time. Our concept relies on tethering a low-loss nano-optical scatterer at the edge of the lightest possible mechanical device that is a carbon nanotube resonator. This system is expected to outperform the state-of-the-art (including atom–based systems) by orders of magnitude, even at room temperature. Amongst objectives, Q-ROOT notably plans to demonstrate ground-state cooling, strong ponderomotive squeezing, the standard quantum limit, quantum non-demolition of mechanical Fock states, and optomechanical photon blockade at room temperature. Besides very fundamental impact, the unique sensing abilities of the system developed in Q-ROOT will be further utilized in order to perform quantum limited sensing applications at room temperature, paving a generalized use of optomechanics for quantum sensing and information technology at room temperature.

Mots-clés : quantum optomechanics,quantum mechanics
Projet ERC : STUOD (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies du numérique — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Inria
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2491555.0 €

71% of Earth is covered by ocean. The ocean has absorbed 93% of the heat trapped by human’s greenhouse gas emissions. The ocean’s future responses to continued warming are uncertain. Our project will deliver new capabilities for assessing variability and uncertainty in upper ocean dynamics. It will provide decision makers a means of quantifying the effects of local patterns of sea level rise, heat uptake, carbon storage and change of oxygen content and pH in the ocean. Its multimodal monitoring will enhance the scientific understanding of marine debris transport, tracking of oil spills and accumulation of plastic in the sea. Our approach accounts for transport on scales that are currently unresolvable in computer simulations, yet are observable by satellites, drifters and floats. Four scientific capabilities will be engaged: (i) observations at high resolution of upper ocean properties such as temperature, salinity, topography, wind, waves and velocity; (ii) large scale numerical simulations; (iii) data-based stochastic equations for upper ocean dynamics that quantify simulation error; and (iv) stochastic data assimilation to reduce uncertainty. These four scientific capabilities will tackle a network of joint tasks achieved through cooperation of three world-calibre institutions: IFREMER (ocean observations, reanalysis); INRIA (computational science); and Imperial College (mathematics, data assimilation). Our complementary skill sets comprise a single systemic effort: (1) Coordinate and interpret high-resolution satellite and in situ upper ocean observations (2) Extract correlations from data needed for the mathematical model (3) Perform an ensemble of computer simulations using our new stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) which are derived by matching the observed statistical properties (4) Apply advanced data assimilation and computer simulations to reduce model uncertainty The key to achieving these goals will be synergy in our combined expertise.

Mots-clés : observation technology,device implementation,data analysis,theoretical modeling with stochastic mathematics,computational simulation and data assimilation for fluid dynamics
Projet ERC : STUOD (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : Imperial College London — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : CO-PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 4956995.0 €

71% of Earth is covered by ocean. The ocean has absorbed 93% of the heat trapped by human’s greenhouse gas emissions. The ocean’s future responses to continued warming are uncertain. Our project will deliver new capabilities for assessing variability and uncertainty in upper ocean dynamics. It will provide decision makers a means of quantifying the effects of local patterns of sea level rise, heat uptake, carbon storage and change of oxygen content and pH in the ocean. Its multimodal monitoring will enhance the scientific understanding of marine debris transport, tracking of oil spills and accumulation of plastic in the sea. Our approach accounts for transport on scales that are currently unresolvable in computer simulations, yet are observable by satellites, drifters and floats. Four scientific capabilities will be engaged: (i) observations at high resolution of upper ocean properties such as temperature, salinity, topography, wind, waves and velocity; (ii) large scale numerical simulations; (iii) data-based stochastic equations for upper ocean dynamics that quantify simulation error; and (iv) stochastic data assimilation to reduce uncertainty. These four scientific capabilities will tackle a network of joint tasks achieved through cooperation of three world-calibre institutions: IFREMER (ocean observations, reanalysis); INRIA (computational science); and Imperial College (mathematics, data assimilation). Our complementary skill sets comprise a single systemic effort: (1) Coordinate and interpret high-resolution satellite and in situ upper ocean observations (2) Extract correlations from data needed for the mathematical model (3) Perform an ensemble of computer simulations using our new stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) which are derived by matching the observed statistical properties (4) Apply advanced data assimilation and computer simulations to reduce model uncertainty The key to achieving these goals will be synergy in our combined expertise.

Mots-clés : observation technology,device implementation,data analysis,theoretical modeling with stochastic mathematics,computational simulation and data assimilation for fluid dynamics
Projet ERC : PhotoNow (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Asociacion de investigacion mpc - materials physics center — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1176937.5 €

A central focus of leading investigations, the bulk photovoltaic effect is a nonlinear absorption process that converts light into electrical current intrinsically. The last few years have brought groundbreaking discoveries to the field, including an unprecedented enhancement of the photoresponse driven by a combination of topology and third-order electric-field effects, as well as the first material realization of solar-cell efficiency exceeding the upper-limit of current devices. The nonlinear mechanism is thus in an excellent position to revolutionize the field of solar-cell technologies by opening a fundamentally new route towards highly efficient third-generation photovoltaics. Reaching this landmark requires both a fundamental understanding and a systematic search of materials. In this scenario, first-principles calculations based on density functional theory must play a central role in coming years due to their innate ability to deliver microscopic and material-specific predictions. A first-principles description of nonlinear responses, however, is very complex and contemporary methods need to go far beyond the state-of-the-art for modelling central effects such as third-order contributions. PhotoNow aims at filling this critical gap by developing a first-principles method that correctly incorporates these effects, giving unprecedented access to crucial properties like the energy conversion efficiency. Our methodology will rest upon a Wannier-function technique adaptable to any material, crystallizing in a free software interdisciplinary tool aimed for physicists, chemists and engineers. This major development will allow us to achieve our central goal, namely discovering and characterizing outstanding materials for nonlinear photovoltaics. PhotoNow will carry out a systematic analysis of a wide variety of materials including Weyl semimetals, ferroelectrics and distorted semiconductors, delivering key microscopic understanding and guiding future discoveries.

Mots-clés : density functional theory,first principles calculations,nonlinear responses,bulk photovoltaic effect,optical properties of materials,shift currents,photocurrents,many body effects,maximally localized wannier functions,weyl semimetals,ferroelectrics,ferro  and antiferromagnets,tight binding models
Projet ERC : HyLEF (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : University of Lisbon — Pays : Portugal — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1179496.0 €

A classical problem in the field of interacting particle systems (IPS) is to derive the macroscopic laws of the thermodynamical quantities of a physical system by considering an underlying microscopic dynamics which is composed of particles that move according to some prescribed stochastic, or deterministic, law. The macroscopic laws can be partial differential equations (PDE) or stochastic PDE (SPDE) depending on whether one is looking at the convergence to the mean or to the fluctuations around that mean. One of the purposes of this research project is to give a mathematically rigorous description of the derivation of SPDE from different IPS. We will focus on the derivation of the stochastic Burgers equation (SBE) and its integrated counterpart, namely, the KPZ equation, as well as their fractional versions. The KPZ equation is conjectured to be a universal SPDE describing the fluctuations of randomly growing interfaces of 1d stochastic dynamics close to a stationary state. With this study we want to characterize what is known as the KPZ universality class: the weak and strong conjectures. The latter states that there exists a universal process, namely the KPZ fixed point, which is a fixed point of the renormalization group operator of space-time scaling 1:2:3, for which the KPZ is also invariant. The former states that the fluctuations of a large class of 1d conservative microscopic dynamics are ruled by stationary solutions of the KPZ. Our goal is threefold: first, to derive the KPZ equation from general weakly asymmetric systems, showing its universality; second, to derive new SPDE, which are less studied in the literature, as the fractional KPZ from IPS which allow long jumps, the KPZ with boundary conditions from IPS in contact with reservoirs or with defects, and coupled KPZ from IPS with more than one conserved quantity. Finally, we will analyze the fluctuations of purely strong asymmetric systems, which are conjectured to be given by the KPZ fixed point.

Mots-clés : kpz universality class,weak,strong kpz conjecture,exclusion process,hamiltonian systems,kpz fixed point
Projet ERC : LOPRE (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Computer science and informatics
Entité participante : University of Bergen — Pays : Norvège — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

A critical component of computational processing of data sets is the `preprocessing' or `compression' step which is the computation of a \emph{succinct, sufficiently accurate} representation of the given data. Preprocessing is ubiquitous and a rigorous mathematical understanding of preprocessing algorithms is crucial in order to reason about and understand the limits of preprocessing. Unfortunately, there is no mathematical framework to analyze and objectively compare two preprocessing routines while simultaneously taking into account `all three dimensions' -- -- the efficiency of computing the succinct representation, -- the space required to store this representation, and -- the accuracy with which the original data is captured in the succinct representation. ``The overarching goal of this proposal is the development of a mathematical framework for the rigorous analysis of preprocessing algorithms. '' We will achieve the goal by designing new algorithmic techniques for preprocessing, developing a framework of analysis to make qualitative comparisons between various preprocessing routines based on the criteria above and by developing lower bound tools required to understand the limitations of preprocessing for concrete problems. This project will lift our understanding of algorithmic preprocessing to new heights and lead to a groundbreaking shift in the set of basic research questions attached to the study of preprocessing for specific problems. It will significantly advance the analysis of preprocessing and yield substantial technology transfer between adjacent subfields of computer science such as dynamic algorithms, streaming algorithms, property testing and graph theory.

Mots-clés : kernelization,parameterized complexity,approximate kernelization
Projet ERC : SHADES (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : University of Naples Federico II — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1206066.25 €

A crucial source of neutrons in stars is the nuclear reaction Ne-22(alpha,n)Mg-25, of major importance for the synthesis of heavy elements. Currently there is an established picture of the astrophysical scenario but only limited availability of reliable experimental data, with several key ingredients under dispute. SHADES will perform a direct measurement of the reaction to resolve the main open questions. The goal is to decrease the uncertainty in the astrophysical reaction rate in the relevant temperature range by at least one order of magnitude, providing a significant leap ahead from the state of the art. SHADES will deliver an increase in sensitivity of more than two orders of magnitude over the state of the art. We will gather direct experimental data over the entire astrophysically relevant energy range. We will construct a neutron detector specifically designed for this measurement. Beam-induced background, a severe problem in the past, will be discriminated by measuring the neutron energy while still maintaining a very detection high efficiency. In recent years research on capture-gated techniques and combinations of different detector types to measure neutron energies has increased greatly. The novel detector array will perfectly fit this profile and find a large field of applications also outside of nuclear astrophysics. The main measurements will be done with the new accelerator LUNA MV, allowing long-term high-intensity, high-energy resolution alpha bombardments. An extended, recirculating gas target will guarantee target stability under intense ion beams. The location of the experiment deep underground will drastically reduce the external background, the main limiting factor so far for low-energy measurements. In my team there will be also leading experts in the field to update the current stellar models using the new dataset to provide a greatly improved and much more robust picture of this important branch of stellar nucleosynthesis.
Projet ERC : QUANTUM-N (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : University of Copenhagen — Pays : Danemark — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UCPH
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2178574.0 €

A fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics is the balance between information and disturbance by the measurement. A textbook example is the measurement of a position of an object which imposes a random perturbation on its momentum. This perturbation, the quantum back action, translates with time into uncertainty of the motion trajectory. The PI has proposed an approach which allows for simultaneous measurements of arbitrary small disturbances in both the position and the momentum. It is based on a measurement performed in a quantum reference frame with an effective negative mass, or frequency for an oscillator. Recently the PI’s group has experimentally demonstrated the first step along this novel path - quantum back action evasion for the measurement of motion in a reference frame of a spin oscillator. We propose a project which takes detection of motion to a new frontier. We will develop a novel hybrid quantum system involving disparate macroscopic objects, a mechanical oscillator and a reference spin oscillator with the effective negative mass. We will demonstrate quantum entanglement between the two oscillators and entanglement-enhanced sensing of force and acceleration. The technology for high quality mechanical and spin oscillators developed at the PI’s group will be further advanced towards those goals. We will generate manifestly non-classical states of millimetre size mechanical oscillators and a macroscopic coherent superposition of distant spin and mechanical objects. We will furthermore work towards generation of multi-partite entangled states of spins, macroscopic objects, and photons, thus testing fundamental limits of entanglement and decoherence for large and complex systems. Gravitational wave interferometers which have recently detected first gravitational waves are expected to be soon limited in their sensitivity by the quantum back action. The way to overcome this limit using the approach developed within this project will be explored.

Mots-clés : quantum entanglement,hybrid quantum systems,sensing beyond standard quantum limit,atomic spin ensembles,quantum optomechanics,quantum measurement
Projet ERC : ventralHippocampus (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
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 : 1493736.0 €

A fundamental objective in modern neurosciences is to understand the neural mechanisms of learning and memory in both healthy and pathological conditions. The hippocampus is a high-order cortical brain region important for emotions and cognition. The ventral subdivision of the hippocampus (anterior hippocampus in primates) is mostly involved in anxiety and contextual fear conditioning behaviours. Pyramidal cells of the CA1 region of the hippocampus represent a main hippocampal output to numerous brains regions relevant for emotional and cognitive processes. The activity and timing of these CA1 pyramidal cells are controlled by a set of very diverse long-range afferent inputs and by local GABAergic interneurons. However, the function of afferent pathways to- and of local GABAergic interneurons in the ventral CA1 hippocampus during contextual fear conditioning and anxiety behaviours have not been investigated so far. We hypothesise that distinct sub-circuits in the ventral CA1 hippocampus differentially contribute to emotional behaviours by diverse and complementary neuronal and network mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, we will use an innovative cross-level approach combining single-unit recordings of ventral CA1 GABAergic interneurons and of afferent brain regions to the ventral CA1 hippocampus, local field potential recordings, selective optogenetic strategies, cell-type-specific viral tracing, juxtacellular recording and labelling from ventral CA1 GABAergic interneurons, and behavioural paradigms in rodents. The originality of the proposal relies on identifying specific neuronal circuits and mechanisms in the ventral CA1 hippocampus to understand how normal and pathological brain function might arise at the behavioural level. Altogether, my research proposal aims at discovering logics of cortical computations during behaviour which may lead to translational applications for the clinics.
Projet ERC : CONSTRAINTS (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
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 : 1499979.0 €

A fundamental question in biology is how constraints drive phenotypic changes and the diversification of life. We know little about the role of these constraints on crop domestication, nor how artificial selection can escape them. CONSTRAINTS questions whether crop domestication has shifted ecophysiological and biophysical traits related to resource acquisition, use and partitioning, and how trade-offs between them have constrained domestication and can limit future improvements in both optimal and sub-optimal conditions. The project is based on three objectives: 1. revealing the existence (or lack) of generic resource-use domestication syndrome in crop science; 2. elucidating ecophysiological and biophysical trade-offs within crop science and delineating the envelope of constraints for artificial selection; 3. examining the shape of ecophysiological and biophysical trade-offs in crop species when grown in sub-optimal environmental conditions. This project will be investigated within and across crop species thanks to a core panel of 12 studied species (maize, sunflower, Japanese rice, sorghum, durum wheat, bread wheat, alfalfa, orchardgrass, silvergrass, pea, colza, vine) for which data and collections (ca. 1,300 genotypes total) are already available to the PI, and additional high throughput phenotyping using automatons. Additional species will be used for specific tasks: (i) a panel of 30 species for a comparative analysis of crop species and their wild progenitors; (ii) 400 worldwide accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana for a genome-wide association study of resource-use traits. Collectively, we will use a multiple-tool approach by using: field measurement, high-throughput phenotyping, common-garden experiment, comparative analysis using databases, modelling, genomics. The ground-breaking nature of the project holds in the nature of the questions asked and in the unique opportunity to transfer knowledge from ecology and evolutionary biology to crop species.

Mots-clés : domestication,trade off,comparative approach,yield,resource use efficiency,plant ecological strategies,plant traits,phenotypic space,phenotypic integration,plant allometry,resource economics