Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Innovative Concepts for Extracting climate and atmospheric composition records from polar ice cores using new LASER Sensors (ICE&LASERS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Earth system science
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2018-02-28
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2986718.4
EU funding (EUR): 2986718.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

ICE&LASERS propose to make a breakthrough in two challenges of paleoclimate science: (1) Extending the Antarctic ice core records to 1.5 million years ago is critical to understand the unexplained climate shift from 40,000-year periodicities to 100,000-year ones, calling for a different climate sensitivity to orbital forcing. We propose to revolutionize ice core science by building an innovative probe making its own way into the ice sheet within a single field season, to measure in situ the depth profile of H2O isotopes in ice as well as greenhouse gas concentration in trapped gases, down to bedrock. This high gain/high risk project will allow us to rapidly qualify different “oldest ice” sites, and to immediately obtain the main climatic signals of interest; (2) Why the atmospheric CO2 and CH4 concentrations varied by up to 40 and 100%, respectively, during glacial-interglacial cycles is still highly debated. We will combine revolutionary detectors with new extraction techniques to measure with unsurpassed accuracy and resolution the concentrations of CH4, CO2 and CO (a tracer related to the CH4 cycle), and the isotopic ratios of CO2 and CO in polar ice. We will constrain theories of past changes in the carbon cycle and of climate feedbacks, and will provide more insight into possible natural feedbacks under a warming future. ICE&LASERS tackles both scientific challenges, thanks to an analytical revolution for measuring trace gases and their stable isotopes: Optical-Feedback Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OFCEAS), recently patented by one of the four CNRS research units involved in the project. ICE&LASERS will contribute to maintain European ice core science at its current leading position, and to optimize the transfer of innovative laser physics to important environmental problems.

Keywords: ice cores,isotope geochemistry,quaternary science,gas and isotope optical detection
Exploring the Quantum Universe (EQU)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: Denmark
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2017-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2187285.61
EU funding (EUR): 2187285.61
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

One of the main unsolved problems in theoretical physics today is to reconcile the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics. The starting point of this proposal is a new background-independent theory of quantum gravity, which has been constructed from first principles as a sum over space-time histories and has already passed its first non-trivial tests. The theory can be investigated analytically as well as by Monte Carlo simulations. The aim is to verify that it is a viable theory of quantum gravity. Thus we want to show that it has the correct long-distance behaviour (classical Einstein gravity) and to investigate its short-distance behaviour in detail. We expect new physics to show up at the shortest distances, physics which might help us understand the origin of our universe and why the universe looks the way we observe today.

Keywords: monte carlo simulations,lattice field theory,quantum gravity
Model Theory and asymptotic geometry (MODAG)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Mathematical foundations
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 69.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1393499.6
EU funding (EUR): 1393499.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The principal methods of model theory, in its connections to algebraic geometry, have been quantifier elimination (e.g. Tarski's theorem) and structural stability (used here in a wide sense, including simplicity, NIP and structural o-minimality.) We propose to move beyond current limitations on both fronts, by means of three interrelated projects. (1) A study of definable sets in global fields. A successful quantifier elimination result in this setting would extend the reach of model theory to wide areas of number theory and geometry that have not been accessible before, including points of small height in number theory, and the Gromov-Witten invariants of a variety in geometry. (2) A study of limits of o-minimal metric structures as quotients of non-archimedean structures, extending similar measure and group-theoretic work that has led to a resolution of Pillay's conjectures in the o-minimal setting, and leading towards a model theory of Calabi-Yau degenerations. (3) Model theoretic asymptotic limits lead to measure and dimension theories, with associated dependence theories, that resemble known structures from stability theory but do not lie within the stable realm or its current extensions. Preliminary stability-theoretic considerations have already led to significant applications in combinatorics. We propose creating a structural stability theory based on pseudo-finite dimension, expected to create a long-term bridge between model theory and additive combinatorics.

Keywords: model theory,stability,global fields,quantifier elimination,additive combinatorics,product formula
A Theory of Soft Synergies for a New Generation of Artificial Hands (SOFT HANDS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-06-01
End date: 2017-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2279600.0
EU funding (EUR): 2279600.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Although many advances have been made in the mechatronics and computational hardware of artificial hands, the state of the art appears to be only marginally closer to a satisfactory functional approximation of the human hand than it was twenty years ago. In my analysis, the main reasons for this are not merely techni-cal, but invest some fundamental issues in the understanding of the organization and control of hands, and ultimately the lack of a theory to guide us in the search for a principled approach to taming the complexity of hands. In this project, I propose to contribute to the development of the fundamental elements of such a theory, and bring them to fruition in functional engineered devices. I expect to be able to break through the rather slowly moving front of the state of the art because of the combination of two crucial, recent innovations. The first pillar, and the prime theoretical enabler for this program, is an approach to the description of the organi-zation of the hand sensorimotor system in terms of geometric constraints, or synergies: correlations in redun-dant hand mobility (motor synergies), correlations in redundant cutaneous and kinaesthetic receptor readings (multi-cue integration), and overall sensorimotor control synergies. Elements of such theories have emerged recently in neurosciences, but their exploitation in the sciences of the artificial is an enormous potential barely touched upon till now. The second pillar, providing the new technology needed to build simpler and more effective artificial hands, is the understanding of the role of variable impedance actuation in embodying intelligent grasping and manipulation behaviours in humans, and the availability of a new generation of “robot muscles”, i.e. actuators capable of tuning their impedance to adapt to the environment and the task. These ideas will be pursued in close collaboration with specialists in related domains of neuroscience and robotics.

Keywords: haptics,variable stiffness actuation,theory of synergies
EXPloring REsponsive Shapes for Seamless desIgn of Virtual Environments be retained. (EXPRESSIVE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2498115.6
EU funding (EUR): 2498115.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Despite our great expressive skills, we humans lack an easy way of communicating the 3D shapes we imagine, and even more so when it comes to dynamic shapes. Over centuries humans used drawing and sculpture to convey shapes. These tools require significant expertise and time investment, especially if one aims to describe complex or dynamic shapes. With the advent of virtual environments one would expect digital modeling to replace these traditional tools. Unfortunately, conventional techniques in the area have failed, since even trained computer artists still create with traditional media and only use the computer to reproduce already designed content. Could digital media be turned into a tool, even more expressive and simpler to use than a pen, to convey and refine both static and dynamic 3D shapes? This is the goal of this project. Achieving it will make shape design directly possible in virtual form, from early drafting to progressive refinement and finalization of an idea. To this end, models for shape and motion need to be totally rethought from a user-centered perspective . Specifically, we propose the new paradigm of responsive 3D shapes – a novel representation separating morphology from isometric embedding – to define high-level, dynamic 3D content that takes form, is refined, moves and deforms based on user intent, expressed through intuitive interaction gestures. Scientifically, while the problem we address belongs to Computer Graphics, it calls for a new convergence with Geometry, Simulation and Human Computer Interaction. In terms of impact, the resulting “expressive virtual pen” for 3D content will not only serve the needs of artists, but also of scientists and engineers willing to refine their thoughts by interacting with prototypes of their objects of study, educators and media aiming at quickly conveying their ideas, as well as anyone willing to communicate a 3D shape This project thus opens up new horizons for science, technology and society.

Keywords: computer graphics,geometric modeling,interaction
Laser Filamentation for Probing and Controlling Atmospheric Processes (FILATMO)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: ERC Advanced Grant Interdisciplinary Panel
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2017-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2403424.98
EU funding (EUR): 2403424.98
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The prevention of damaging weather phenomena like floods, hail and lightning strikes has been a dream for centuries. We propose a highly innovative approach relying on laser filaments for both triggering and guiding lightning and produce water condensation in the atmosphere. Filaments are self-sustained light strings of typ. 100 um diameter and hundreds of meters length in air, bear very high intensities and are electrically conductive through molecular ionization. The filamentation process in air was considered until recently as resulting from the dynamic balance between the optical Kerr effect and defocusing by the self-generated plasma. Our unexpected discovery, last year, that filaments are governed by negative higher-order Kerr effect (HOKE), opened both basic physical questions about the stabilization mechanism and new opportunities to optimize the envisioned applications to lightning triggering and cloud condensation. We propose first to study in the laboratory the physical origin of the alternated signs of HOKE in gases, which are suspected to stem from populated bound states. Coherently controlling these bound states in rare gases and air will allow us to tailor the HOKE inversion, and consequently to control the filament process itself. Optimal pulse shapes will then be sought by adaptive (closed loop) techniques to maximize the plasma density and lifetime in filaments for lightning control applications. Similar coherent control approaches will be performed for optimizing the complex photochemistry that leads to water vapor condensation in the atmosphere. We will then apply the optimal pulse shapes to real scale field experiments. To this end we intend to use the mobile TW laser from the Teramobile consortium, which we are part of, in order to perform two extensive campaigns for real-scale lightning control (in Lugano) and haze/cloud generation (in Geneva). These experiments will constitute the first coherent manipulation of atmospheric process.

Keywords: filamentation,high intensity lasers,self-channeling,plasma channel,coherent control,pulse shaping,atmospheric applications,weather control,water condensation,lightning control
Non-Classical Main Group Chemistry; Supramolecular Chemistry and Catalysis (MAINCHEM)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1485429.0
EU funding (EUR): 1485429.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The classical view of the periodic table suggests, in particular, that there are distinct boundaries between the chemistries of s-block, p-block and d-block elements stemming from the availability and type of valence orbitals present and fundamental properties such as electronegativity. Yet this long-excepted, text-book view can provide a barrier to progress in a number of key chemical areas because it prevents us thinking about the true picture, that there is more commonly a continuum of structural and reactivity properties which overlap large segments of the periodic table. This proposal seeks to move through these barriers by establishing fundamental and practical applications of p-block element chemistry in supramolecular chemistry (the classical domain of carbon chemistry) and catalysis (the classical domain of transition metals).The broad theme of the proposed project is to study non-classical aspects of main group chemistry. This takes the form of two major components which span the non-metallic and metallic areas of the p-block, (i) the development of systematic approaches for the building of macromolecular inorganic systems and their application in host-guest, gas storage and separation, and (ii) the applications of p-block metals in a broad spectrum of stoichiometric and catalytic bond-forming reactions.

Keywords: main group chemistry,host-guest chemistry,catalysis,dehydrocoupling
Toward a Complete View of Star Formation: The Origin of Molecular Clouds, Prestellar Cores, and Star Clusters (ORISTARS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Universe sciences
Countries involved: France,France
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2018-03-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2267880.0
EU funding (EUR): 2267880.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding star formation from large to small scales is a major unsolved problem of modern astrophysics, fundamental in its own right and having a profound bearing on both galaxies and planet formation.To achieve a breakthrough in our observational and theoretical knowledge of star formation, we propose to confront numerical simulations with observations obtained with state-of-the-art instrumentation, including instruments developed by our group. We will investigate three key areas: a) Origin of filamentary molecular clouds; b) Core formation within filaments; c) Fragmentation of prestellar cores into binary stars and protoplanetary disks. Our approach is novel in that we combine observational, theoretical, and instrumental efforts within the same team, and we address star formation coherently from large to small scales, allowing us to establish links between the « macrophysics » (eg. global star formation in galaxies) and the « microphysics » of the problem (eg. formation of individual solar systems). This project will be based on extensive (sub-)millimeter continuum and spectral line studies with the Herschel Space Observatory, IRAM 30m telescope/interferometer, APEX 12m telescope, and ALMA interferometer. ORISTARS will benefit from our large « Gould Belt Survey » key project with Herschel providing the first complete census of prestellar cores and young protostars in nearby star-forming complexes. We will extensively use our lab’s magnetohydrodynamic code RAMSES. We will also take advantage of technological innovations made at CEA for the Herschel-PACS and ArTéMiS instruments to develop a large 1.2mm bolometer array/polarimeter (« Polar-Channel ») for the next-generation millimeter continuum camera at IRAM. Polar-Channel will be a new powerful tool to map polarized dust continuum emission and help clarify the role of magnetic fields in forming prestellar cores and generating the rich filamentary cloud structure revealed by our ongoing Herschel observations.

Keywords: prestellar cores - protostars - numerical simulations a&a keywords: ism: structure - submillimeter: ism - magnetohydrodynamics - ism: kinematics and dynamics - ism: magnetic fields
Uncertainty Visualization for Reliable Data Discovery (SAFERVIS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2017-02-28
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2296800.0
EU funding (EUR): 2296800.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Visualization has significantly changed the way humans analyze large amounts of multi-dimensional data. However, current visualization techniques can give only little or no guarantees regarding the confidence in the displayed information. Since this information is always affected by uncertainties in the data generation and visualization processes, the user can be lead to misclassifications, misinterpretations, and false assumptions. This proposal challenges the status quo in visual data analysis with innovative ideas for next-generation technology that provides uncertainty visualization as a core methodology. We will develop a visual language for the communication of the variability of features due to uncertainties in the data generation and visualization processes. Our research aims at modeling the uncertainty stochastically and deriving probability distributions for the occurrence of features. Especially in 3D, finding meaningful visualizations of the effect of uncertainty is extremely demanding and requires going far beyond existing approaches. Besides radically changing the way visual data exploration is performed, our research has the potential to strongly influence the way scientific measurements and computer simulations are carried out. The precise knowledge of uncertainties enables to discover quantitatively the data generation process, and it can, therefore, be used to quantify the sensitivity of a process and the generated results to the choice of parameterization over the input parameters. Hence, it is our second vision to position uncertainty visualization as a future technology for guiding research towards the most reliable data generation process within a given uncertainty tolerance.

Keywords: uncertainty visualization,feature-based and interactive visualization,real-time numerical simulation
High-Definition Tomography (HD-TOMO)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: ERC Advanced Grant Interdisciplinary Panel
Countries involved: Denmark
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-08-01
End date: 2017-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2159602.37
EU funding (EUR): 2159602.37
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In computed tomography we mimic the brain’s ability to synthesize an object’s 3D structure from many projections by solving thousands of equations. Many efficient methods have been developed to do that, and the results can be impressive when the object is illuminated from many angles and the noise is negligible. However, one decisive factor behind the human brain's unrivalled success with 3D reconstruction remains to be incorporated into computed tomography: The ability to use prior information – an organized accumulation of experience with other objects in the world. The goal of the project is to accomplish this. The time is ripe to use the power of state-of-the-art mathematics and scientific computing to develop the enabling mathematical technology for next-generation tomographic reconstruction algorithms that are flexible enough to incorporate a variety of available prior information, and thus achieve major improvements in the details and reliability of high-definition reconstructions – sharper images with reliable details. In contrast to existing approaches our goal is to make it possible to incorporate all available prior information in various forms, by replacing ad-hoc assumptions in the current tomography algorithms with prior-driven data representation models and reconstruction methods. We will look outside the world of classical tomography and incorporate elements and techniques from related areas, tuned to the particular problems that arise in tomography. While research in tomography is often performed either in the application areas or in specialized mathematical communities, we will create a unique research environment with tight collaborations between all the necessary activities as well as scientific and industrial users of tomography. For the first time we will be able to compute reliable high-definition 3D / 4D reconstructions based on the total amount of prior information, without the reconstructions being deteriorated by algorithmic limitations.

Keywords: computed tomography,first-order methods,inverse problems,imaging,iterative methods,large-scale problems,optimization,preconditioning,sparsity constraints,surrogate modeling,bayesian sampling