Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : Dielectrix (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Cambridge — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The current semiconductor market – dominated by field effect transistors (FETs) is valued at $607.40 billion per year (projected to reach $980.80 billion by 2029). A significant portion of this market involves applications such as in high-performance sensing/detection. FETs based on atomically thin body (ATB) semiconductors such as molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) have tremendous potential for ultra-sensitive sensors and detectors in the near term. FETs for these applications can be integrated in back end of the line (BEOL) processes where the materials and integration requirements are less stringent – compared to FETs for processor chips. However, commercialization of MoS2 FETs has been slowed by the lack of stable and reproducible device operation that gives rise to poor signal to noise ratios. This has led to poor scalability, difficulty in achieving consistent electrical characteristics, and integration challenges with existing technology which has hindered the widespread adoption of MoS2 FETs for sensing and detection. Therefore, there is an urgent need to overcome these challenges to realize the full market potential of MoS2 FETs. Research supported by the PI’s ERC Advanced Grant has led to a transformative breakthrough in developing a high quality zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) dielectric that forms an utra-clean interface with MoS2 so that highly stable and consistent FETs can be realised. This discovery has demonstrated the feasibility of high-performance, reliable MoS2 FETs with the potential for industrial-scale production – which has the potential for revolutionise the sensor/detection FETs market. This Proof of Concept aims to take the necessary commercial and technical steps to bring this innovation to market: demonstrate wafer-scale fabrication of MoS2 /ZrO2 FETs, validate their high performance, conduct a critical market assessment to develop a business plan, and engage with industry and end-users to establish a clear route to commercialization.
Projet ERC : CelloSparx (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Cambridge — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 70000.0 €

Inspired by nature, we developed effect pigments prepared from a single organic and renewable component extracted from plants: cellulose nanocrystals. Obtained via self-assembly, these pigments offer one of the most sustainable alternatives to all existing products, including microplastic, partially biodegradable glitter, and unsustainably sourced mica- and titania-based pigments. Securing this ERC-2022-PoC2 proposal will allow us to bring this much-needed technology from TRL6 to TRL7 by addressing 4 challenges: 1/ Finding a supplier of cellulose with ton-scale production capacity; 2/ Finding the best-suited manufacturing equipment with innovative options that we did not explore in our previous work; 3/ Delivering kilograms of our materials to end-users who are in need of this technology, for them to validate the technology; 4/ Quantifying the benefits of our products against existing alternatives, using Life Cycle Analysis, biodegradability and ecotoxicity studies.
Projet ERC : SusECAS - DemoPlant (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Forschungszentrum Jülich — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : FZJ
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The development of more environmentally friendly synthesis methods is urgently needed if humanity wants to maintain an environment worth living in. The establishment of more biocatalytic steps in chemical synthesis is a possible solution, as enzymes and whole cells offer sustainable advantages such as biodegradability, toxicity, high selectivity and much more. Amino alcohols and 2-hydroxy ketones are valuable compounds with various applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry with market prices >1000 €/kg, but challenging synthesis strategies. As a result of synthesis options with disastrous footprints, these molecules are often produced in countries with poor working conditions and significantly lower safety and environmental standards than those accepted in the EU. The idea of 'SusECAS - DemoPlant' is simple. An innovative economic and ecological competitive process will enable a sustainable production of amino alcohols in Europe. In the ERC Starting Grant project 'LightCas', Prof. Rother laid the base with an atomic and step-efficient enzymatic 2-step reaction for amino alcohols from inexpensive starting materials (<10-100 €/kg). In 'SusECAS' we will take these innovative synthesis ideas to a new level of industrial application. A multi-gram demonstration plant will enable model-based process evaluation, giving us and our customer’s clear indications of the ecological and economic potential. A systematic market analysis will provide an overview of the competitive structure of the overall market, the market volume and the requirements of potential customers. Supported by business angels, commercialization strategies will be evaluated. In 'SusECAS', we will develop a business plan for commercialization and initiate a step-by-step market introduction of our products and technologies.
Projet ERC : QUANTUM-VIBES (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université technique de Munich — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 97500.0 €

The booming fields of cryogenic detectors and quantum computing require mK temperatures, driving the rapidly growing market for dry dilution refrigerators (DDRs). This key technology enables a high degree of automation and makes ultracold temperatures accessible to non-expert end users. However, DDRs induce mechanical vibrations that dramatically degrade the performance of particle detectors and destroy the coherence of quantum bits - a potential showstopper for quantum technologies. We have overcome these limitations with an innovative vibration decoupling system (VDS), which has been developed in an ongoing ERC Starting Grant for fundamental particle physics. The invention features a sophisticated spring-pendulum system that suspends the payload at mK temperatures from an independent reference frame at room temperature, dramatically reducing DDR-induced mechanical distortions to levels below ambient vibrations. This pioneering work in the laboratory was a breakthrough for the operation of cryogenic detectors in state-of-the-art DDRs. These first results have triggered interest from the scientific community and the cryostat industry, which represents an attractive entry market for the innovation. Quantum computing is expected to become a major future market within the next decade. The intellectual property rights of the novel device and its innovative thermal and mechanical concepts are protected by a European patent application. QUANTUM-VIBES will optimize the VDS for robustness and reproducibility and will conduct a dynamic market study to identify potential customers and assess market size. An already established collaboration with an industrial partner enabled the foundation of a spin-off company with the major goal of developing a VDS proof-of-concept that will pave the way for commercialization in an attractive entry market.

Mots-clés : quantum computing,cryogenic detectors,vibration decoupling,mk temperatures,dilution refrigerator,vibration damping,q bits,particle detectors,particle physics,astroparticle physics,neutrino detector,dark matter detector
Projet ERC : CODES (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Gand — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UGent
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Forged paintings pose an urgent challenge to international law enforcement agencies and the art world. Both the quantity and the quality of the works are alarming. In practice, however, this type of art crime is notoriously difficult to detect and combat. The CoG project ARTDETECT is generating new knowledge about significant anomalies that betray forged paintings (as well as into key characteristics of comparable originals); and is developing ‘thin-slicing’ tools, i.e. computer programs and checklists that help to quickly and effectively select potential forgeries for in-depth analysis. However, in order to ensure the practical application of the new knowledge and tools, it is crucial to engage with stakeholders at an early stage in order to 1) gain access to a wide range of current cases, 2) test the validity of the preliminary conclusions, and 3) identify the challenges and opportunities in this restricted part of the market.  The team has a unique opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders and gain access to a large number of (potential) forgeries in the styles of more than 100 modern painters. We are also setting up our own lab. These circumstances allow us, at relatively low cost, to build an extensive curated image database of real cases, to carefully annotate the images, and to rigorously validate our preliminary conclusions. Through in-depth confidential research with stakeholders CODES will provide an extensive test dataset and user-oriented guidelines that have the potential to revolutionize counterfeit detection.
Projet ERC : DCAP (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Gand — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UGent
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

In this project, we aim to validate a low-cost Cell Free massive MIMO solution for ultra-reliable and low-latency wireless communication based on Wi-Fi technology. Our solution, called DCAP or Distributed Coordinated Access Point, is enabled by integrating distributed customized Wi-Fi 6 access points with the synchronous fronthaul technology developed in ERC ATTO. The following research innovations will be explored and demonstrated:  1. Accurate time synchronization of the distributed APs with the Bit-Interleaved Sigma-Delta-Over-Fiber Fronthaul Network (BISDoF) as developed in the ERC Advanced Grant ATTO (No.695495). This novel fronthaul solution uses low-cost commercial optical transceiver modules connected with multi-mode optical fiber and is hence way more cost-effective and flexible than coaxial cables. A time synchronization accuracy below 10 ps is targeted.  2. Low-latency operation of distributed APs by exploiting the new OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) feature in the Wi-Fi 6 standard and extending it with beyond Wi-Fi 6 and Wi Fi 7 capabilities in UGent-IDLab’s open full-stack openwifi prototyping platform, with embedded wireless Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) capabilities.  3. Full compliance of the highly customized APs with Wi-Fi 6 Commercial-Of-The-Shelf (COTS) clients.  4. Distributed beamforming by coherently combining Resources Units (RUs) from multiple distributed APs, thereby adding an extra degree of flexibility and scalability to the system, as different RUs (subsets of OFDMA subcarriers) in the same channel can simultaneously serve different Wi-Fi clients.  Besides the technical evaluation of the DCAP proof-of-concept, the project will also explore potential valorization opportunities. Valorization will be facilitated by an already existing IP portfolio and an established industrial advisory committee.
Projet ERC : AT-TOP (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Gand — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UGent
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Atrial tachycardia (AT) is a prevalent form of supraventricular tachycardia that can have detrimental impacts on a person's health. The complexity of anatomical reentry patterns and unclear nomenclature hinders precise diagnosis of AT and makes optimal treatment challenging and error prone. Suboptimal treatment can result in severe outcomes such as heart failure, stroke, and pacemaker implantation due to overablation-induced atrial dysfunction. In this proposal, we introduce a diagnostic tool called Directed Graph Mapping (DGM), which offers a unique classification system based on clear and precise mathematical criteria using topological principles, allowing for the accurate diagnosis and differentiation of various types of AT. DGM can automatically analyze a given case of AT, providing consistent and reliable results, paving the way for the optimization of the ablation strategy. DGM can not only diagnose the current AT but also predict hidden slower ATs, which might appear depending on the chosen ablation target. By being able to predict the hidden ATs, we can revolutionize the treatment of ATs, as these hidden ATs can be treated already after the measurement of the first anatomical map. Therefore, our tool holds the potential to significantly expedite the ablation procedure. We propose to conduct a prospective study involving a minimum of 15 hospitals in Belgium that specialize in AT ablations to further validate the effectiveness and sustainability of our proposed solution while involving a broad range of electrophysiologists. We aim to publish our results in a high-impact journal. We secured the intellectual property rights of our proof-of-concept through two patents, and by discussing with electrophysiologists, we learned that their interest in DGM influences mapping systems. If they recognize the value of DGM for treating AT, mapping companies may adopt the technology through a licensing agreement, which is the final goal of this proposal.
Projet ERC : PyroScreen (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Gand — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UGent
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Inflammasomes play a vital role in in protecting humans against pathogenic microorganisms, harmful substances and cell changes that could result in illness. The NLRP3 inflammasome in particular attracts considerable interest because aberrant NLRP3 activation is a key pathogenic mechanism in many chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, gain-of-function mutations in NLRP3 causes a periodic fever syndrome named cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS). MCC950/CRID3-based sulfonylurea compounds are currently the only reported class of inhibitors that selectively target NLRP3 with nM potency. We and others recently showed that members of this sulfonylurea class inhibitors directly target the central NACHT domain of NLRP3, and several companies have recently progressed MCC950/CRID3-derived NLRP3 inhibitors to human studies. However, there is an urgent need to expand the pipeline of NLRP3-targeted therapeutics with NLRP3-inhibitors of novel chemotypes. Based on exciting preliminary data, we aim to identify novel NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and perform an in-depth functional analysis of their activity, selectivity and molecular mechanism of action. Furthermore, we will define the market potential and explore the best strategy towards clinical development with partner organizations. In conclusion, the project will help to expand the pipeline of NLRP3-targeted therapeutics with new NLRP3-inhibitors. If successful, the project may meaningfully impact on the lives of many patients that suffer from NLRP3-mediated diseases in Europe and across the globe.
Projet ERC : HySENSE (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Day one societa a responsabilita limitata — Pays : Italie — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : DAY ONE
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 40000.0 €

Accurately assessing hypoxia and acidosis in the tumor microenvironment is crucial for understanding tumor behavior and determining treatments effectiveness. These conditions, caused by uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation, are key indicators of aggressiveness and metastasis risk, yet remain difficult to measure precisely. The HySENSE project addresses this gap with an innovative sensor kit capable of real-time, cell-specific measurements of oxygen and pH at high spatio-temporal resolution. This advanced technology surpasses current tools, offering deeper insights into tumor behavior and therapeutic effects. HySENSE will be validated using patient-derived colorectal cancer models, and a business feasibility study will define the path to commercialization. By enabling precise analysis of hypoxia and acidosis, HySENSE aims to transform cancer diagnostics and treatment planning, ultimately improving patient care.
Projet ERC : UniCardioMab (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Day one societa a responsabilita limitata — Pays : Italie — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : DAY ONE
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 35000.0 €

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common cause of heart failure, currently treated with drugs that delay progress towards heart transplantation. There are currently many attempts to treat DC with stem cells or their extracellular vesicles or AAV vectors: none reached efficacy so far. The applicant has a long track record in cell and gene therapy for muscular dystrophy. He pioneered systemic intra-arterial transplantation of mesoangioblasts (blood vessel-derived progenitors) and, thanks to a previous ERC grant, succeeded in creating immortal, universal donor mesoangioblasts. Edited cells do not activate an immune response in vitro or in vivo. Muscular dystrophy also affects the heart causing a DCM, but a simple extension of this strategy is problematic since the existence of resident cardiac stem cells is controversial and cardiac mesoangioblasts do not spontaneously differ-entiate into cardiomyocytes. iPS cell-derived cardiac progenitors are promising but until now for lo-calised lesions such as myocardial infarcts. To address this problem we will produce immortal, im-mune privileged cardiac mesoangioblasts and will convert them to cardioblasts, in vitro expression of cardiac transcription factors. Since conversion takes about two weeks, we will test different settings to allow cells so that they would home and differentiate in vivo in the areas of damage, characterized by inflammation. The applicant is in the unique position to test feasibility of this project for future translation into a novel clinical protocol.
Projet ERC : SOLAR-H2 (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Day one societa a responsabilita limitata — Pays : Italie — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : DAY ONE
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 45000.0 €

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

Mots-clés : solar h2 artificial tree hydrogen solar hub formic acid
Projet ERC : EPIBLAST (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Day one societa a responsabilita limitata — Pays : Italie — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : DAY ONE
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 40000.0 €

Drug teratogenicity, namely the potential of a drug to cause birth defects, is a major concern for anyone becoming pregnant. The infamous Thalidomide case in the 1960s raised public awareness of this issue. Notably, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development, but the reasons for this low rate remain unclear. Nobody knows if this is due to the teratogenic effects of common drugs, or a lack of essential nutrients needed for development, similar to how folate is used to support proper nervous system development. There is a significant gap in our understanding of drug teratogenicity because pregnant women are excluded from clinical trials, and preclinical animal studies have limitations due to ethical concerns and differences between species. This gap leaves the effects of many drugs on early human development uncertain. As a result, many potentially beneficial medications are often discontinued during pregnancy, despite the lack of strong scientific evidence to justify such decisions. The goal of this Proof of Concept is to develop a fully automated 3D in vitro model that replicates the first 14 days of human development. Using human pluripotent stem cells, during the ERC Starting grant, we have created a chemically defined and efficient 3D model that accurately mimics peri- and post-implantation stages, including the formation of the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity. We now aim to validate and automate this model for rapid, high-throughput assessment of drug teratogenicity. By accurately simulating human development, enabling high-throughput screening, and reducing reliance on animal testing, our model addresses critical gaps in current testing methods. This innovative approach could lead to the identification of supplements that improve pregnancy success rates and ensure safer medication use during pregnancy, ultimately benefiting patients, healthcare providers, and regulatory agencies.