Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Dendrite assemblies as the core cortical computation module for continual motor learning (DendAssembly)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel description: Nervous system development, homeostasis and ageing , nervous system  function and dysfunction , systems neuroscience  and modelling , biological basis of cognitive processes and of behaviour, neurological and mental disorders – In humans and all other organisms
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2023-ADG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-11-01
End date: 2029-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The cortex has the amazing capacity to continuously learn through experience while retaining past memories. But how does the cortical network implement this continual learning while avoiding interference and catastrophic overwriting of prior events? While cell assemblies with simple point neurons are thought to serve as the basic learning and storage units, this model poses major challenges in dynamic environments and lacks experimental support. Relying on strong preliminary results, I here propose a radically different view of learning and storage in the cortex—the dendrite assembly hypothesis—where the relevant memory units are the “hidden layer” of dendritic branches. Namely, each neuron operates as a small network, with different dendrite assemblies representing different tasks and driving the soma. The dendrite assembly model augments the cell assembly model, potentially alleviating problems of interference, sparsity and capacity. We will test the dendrite assembly hypothesis in the mouse motor cortex, where learning is perpetual and coding is dense. This will entail determining dendritic and somatic representations during continual learning, thus deciphering the core learning units of the network (Aim1), the pathways (Aim2) and structural plasticity (Aim3) that enable dendrite assembly formation and learning; and the consequences of the dendrite assembly model for the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (Aim4). We will record from somas, dendrites and spines of pyramidal tract neurons at single-cell and population levels with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, using state-of-the-art in-vivo imaging, a novel behavioral design, and an analysis platform we developed. Our results are expected to transform our view of how cortical neurons represent multiple motor memories in the healthy and Parkinsonian brain, open avenues for developing novel treatment modalities for Parkinson’s disease and inspire new artificial intelligence network architectures.

Keywords: motor learning,two photon microscopy dendritic computation in vivo motor cortex pyramidal neurons calcium imaging dendritic spikes
AI-enhanced dexterous robot with force sensitive teaching using a wearable force-feedback device (AI-DROID)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Germany
Call: EIC Accelerator 2024 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-01, 2024)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 950000.0
EU funding (EUR): 950000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Collaborative robots in production, logistics and assembly are mostly used for static pick and place tasks or heavy loads. Complex tasks such as two-handed assembly in production or handling of sensitive objects are still performed by humans in industrial applications. As the complexity of the task increases, so does the programming effort. This makes robotic automation of complex or frequently changing tasks uneconomical in broad applications. Our solution is a novel robot arm and hand combination inspired by the human model and an innovative AI-based teaching system which for the first time enables intuitive teaching of the entire gripping process for two-handed assembly of sensitive objects and has the potential to revolutionize the use of robotic systems. The system consists of two force-controlled robotic arms with dexterous 5-finger grippers and force-feedback hand controllers that can be operated without programming knowledge. This allows programming of complex two-handed assembly tasks by simply demonstrating the task. Once learned, grasping movements and forces are used by the AI to adapt new grasping processes. The design enables operations in environments designed for humans and allows direct transfer of motions and dexterous skills from the human operator the robot during the teaching process. As a result, the AI-DROID system creates a key technology in the field of robotic automation thanks to its novel intuitive AI-enhanced teaching method and autonomous complex task execution. Four well-known pilot customers - Siemens, HelloFresh, Veolia and DSI Aerospace GmbH - have already been acquired in advance for testing and seamless market launch. The market potential of the robotic process automation, assembly line factory automation and pick and packaging automation market segment relevant to the AI-DROID is estimated at EUR 10.02 billion for 2027.

Keywords: robotic automation,intuitive teaching,force feedback control,ai,humanoid robot,dexterity,human machine interface hmi,gripper,robotic hand
Scalable real-time monitoring of 3D cell cultures with electrical impedance microtomography (MITO)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Italy,Switzerland
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2026-02-01
End date: 2029-01-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 388940.52
EU funding (EUR): 388940.52
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

High-throughput functional drug testing on patient-derived 3D cell cultures offers unprecedented opportunities for personalized cancer medicine. Optical microscopy constitutes a bottleneck in this approach as it cannot provide rapid information on cell and tissue viability and is not compatible with upscaling. To address this issue, I focus my research project on local electrical impedance spectroscopy to enable the real-time and label-free monitoring of large arrays of 3D cell cultures. The vision is to combine integrated arrays of microstructured organic mixed ionic-electronic conductor devices with multifunctional 3D micropatterned polymeric layers to achieve two specific objectives: i) focus the ionic currents onto the 3D space where cell aggregates are formed, ii) provide the biological cues for cell assembly and development into 3D functional structures. The rapid acquisition of the electrical impedance matrix resolved in frequency space combined with impedance modelling will provide real-time tomographic information about 3D cell organization, inter-cellular junctions and cellular functionality. As a test case demonstrating high-throughput 3D cell culture experiments, final prototypes will implement 3D tumour models to test cellular therapies suppressing cancer growth. The envisioned technology will constitute a novel platform for the accelerated development of personalized medicines without relying on animal testing. The strong interdisciplinary approach adopted by MITO leverages the high-level expertise of the University of Bologna (12-months return phase, supervisor Prof. Tobias Cramer, expert in materials for bioelectronics) and ETH Zurich (24-months outgoing phase, supervisor Prof. Andreas Hierlemann, expert in electrical engineering and cell cultures). Throughout the entire action, I will receive excellent training to enhance my scientific, communication, dissemination, and technology transfer skills, significantly advancing my future academic career.

Keywords: bioelectronics,electrical impedance,3d cell cultures,organic electrochemical transistors,large area electronics
Pathogens of Algae for Biocontrol and Biosecurity (PHABB)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Doctoral Networks
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: France,United Kingdom,Spain,Iceland,Netherlands,Austria,Portugal,Germany,Italy
Call: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01, 2022)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2027-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2181988.8
EU funding (EUR): 2181988.8
Participants: 20
Project status: SIGNED

Algae play an important role in water ecosystems and our future increasingly depends on the presence of both desirable and undesirable algae. Desirable algae are, for example, seaweeds that we consume, use for biofuels, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Whereas undesirable algae can form harmful algal blooms (HABs) that can alter the quality of water, with dramatic consequences for wild and farmed fish and shellfish, as well as our supply of drinking water. Micro and macroalgae are vulnerable to many diseases. The presence of pathogens and their potential spread to non-native areas can significantly hinder seaweed production. Likewise, microscopic algae (i.e. cyanobacteria, diatoms, and dino-flagellates) that can form HABs are also vulnerable to many pathogens. There are a wide range of microorganisms, including fungal, oomycete, protist, bacterial and viral agents that can all reduce fitness or kill algae. Therefore, the central research aim that links all 10 training projects in PHABB is to exploit the infection strategies of algal pathogens to either fight diseases that they cause in seaweeds or to harness these infection tactics to combat harmful algal blooms. To achieve this goal, PHABB brings together an exceptional combination of researchers in Europe from both academia and SMEs that have unique expertise to train and mentor 10 early career researchers in understanding biological and evolutionary processes linked to microbial community dynamics, virulence and host specificity of a range of pathogens of both desirable algae as well as undesirable algae. The overall aim is to develop new disease management strategies in seaweeds and biocontrol measures of HABs with the help of natural pathogens. The ESRs in PHABB will gain broad interdisciplinary skills plus a translational mindset through our integrated and inter-sectoral training programme and will secure continued vital research on Biocontrol of HABs and Biosecurity of seaweeds in Europe.

Keywords: harmful algal blooms,seaweed,bio control,natural pathogens,fresh and salt water bodies,water quality,environmental biosecurity,food security,drinking water,host microbe interactions,crispr
Renewable ENergy-based Positive Homes (RENplusHOMES)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Theme: Energy
Destination: Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Greece,France,Spain,Estonia,Austria,Germany,Romania
Call: Renewable-intensive, energy positive homes (HORIZON-CL5-2022-D4-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-06-01
End date: 2026-11-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 7142106.76
EU funding (EUR): 5999983.0
Participants: 24
Project status: SIGNED

Buildings are responsible for around 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU, and 84% of their demand is still generated by fossil fuels. With the Green Deal, the EU signed its commitment to become the first continent to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Given the high relevance of the building sector for emissions reduction, the concept of PEBs is gaining increasing attention. Besides, construction and demolition waste accounts for 35% of EU waste. REN+HOMES tackle the sustainable transition not only by reducing carbon emissions, but also resource scarcity, energy poverty and focusing on education/participation of stakeholders. REN+HOMES i) develops a set of 23 solution: 9 hardware (industrialized panel with recycled materials, pre-fabricated BIPV insulated façade, wireless IoT device, end user platform and BMS, LPWAN connectivity, geothermal walls, BIPV/BAPV with repurposed cells, H2 storage), 7 software (BDEA, INTEMA, VERIFY-B, GRT, TCQi, RCS, CBEO) and 7 Circular Plus Energy Homes (CPEH) methodologies (for AU, ES, EE, RO, EL, FR and a universal one), ii) tests and implements them in 4 large-scale demonstrators (19.843 m2 - 2 renovation and 2 new construction sites) in AU, ES, EE and RO and iii) develpes business models combining cost-effective deep-retrofitting, demand response and energy communities. REN+HOMES i) provide excess energy to the grid or to neighboring buildings (195MWh/yr), ii) develop and install building technologies from >50% recycled materials, iii) uses products with >60% recyclability rates, iv) adopt co-design for increasing awareness and satisfaction (>70 residents per demo) and v) make use of international support to overcome legislative barrier, for the streamlining of positive energy homes, with a focus on resource scarcity and recyclability. REN+HOMES approach will lead >50M m2 of floor area renovated to CPEH standards, corresponding to 1.56 MtCO2-eq saved and 39.226 tons of recycled materials by 2050.

Keywords: carbon emissions,resource scarcity,energy poverty,education,co design,circular plus energy homes methodologies,energy communities,demand response,bipv,recycled materials,hyd
Advanced Leidenfrost Effect (LeidenForce)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Doctoral Networks
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Belgium,Austria,France,Netherlands,Norway
Call: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01, 2023)
Start date: 2025-03-01
End date: 2029-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2741011.2
EU funding (EUR): 2741011.2
Participants: 12
Project status: SIGNED

When a liquid droplet is placed on a solid surface with a temperature significantly higher than the boiling point of the liquid, the droplet hovers above the surface on a thin layer of its own vapor, a phenomenon known as the Leidenfrost effect. While this effect is highly undesirable in certain cooling applications due to the reduced energy transfer between the solid and evaporating liquid caused by the poor heat conductivity of the vapor, it can be of significant interest in various processes where avoiding contact with the surface is advantageous. The LeidenForce project aims to comprehensively study the Leidenfrost effect and propose novel applications, either to mitigate its adverse effects or leverage its advantages. LeidenForce intends to (i) shift the fundamental understanding of the transition to the Leidenfrost state, (ii) optimize the heat transfer between the droplet and the substrate, (iii) utilize the isolated droplet to manipulate small amounts of liquid in unconventional scenarios (e.g., on a liquid surface, within a channel), and (iv) harness the vapor film to capture or confine particles using an external electrical field. The practical implications will be leveraged by non-academic institutions involved in aviation (such as AIRBUS), metallurgy (CRM), cryogenics (Air Liquide), and space exploration (Centre Spatial de Liège). In aviation, managing cryogenic fuel is a crucial step toward achieving zero-emission flights. In metallurgy, innovative cooling methods will be developed based on mitigating the Leidenfrost effect. Air Liquide will address cooling issues by introducing particles into the evaporating liquid to modify the Leidenfrost effect. Lastly, at the Centre Spatial de Liège, Leidenfrost droplets will be utilised to delicately clean surfaces by trapping particles within these contactless droplets.

Keywords: droplet,leidenfrost,heat transfer,surface texturing,cooling process,annealing,particle deposition,cleaning process
INtelligent System for Processing Intensive Reaction Electrochemistry (INSPIRE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-04-01
End date: 2027-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 232916.16
EU funding (EUR): 232916.16
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

This project focuses on developing and implementing an automated organic electrosynthesis process of cyclopropane rings. Electrochemical (EC) methods, which often suffering from passivation phenomena, will be applied in a continuous-flow microreactor integrated into a global chemical robot, addressing critical challenges in the field of synthetic chemistry. Cyclopropane rings are vital intermediates in organic synthesis, yet their scalable production via green and efficient methods remains underdeveloped. This study aims to optimize EC cyclopropanation with the aid of machine learning algorithms (e.g., Bayesian optimization) to refine reaction conditions and minimize electrode passivation. The key objectives include: (i) optimizing reaction parameters to maximize yields, conversion rates, and selectivity, (ii) implementing advanced machine learning tools to address and mitigate fouling—a major barrier to EC process scalability—and, (iii) developing robust numerical models to enable the scaling up of EC reactions. The integration of machine learning with EC flow synthesis is expected to enhance reaction efficiency and reproducibility, creating a framework for the systematic screening of reactions and mechanisms, thus reducing the manual experimental time required by traditional optimization methods. The EC microreactor, implemented within automated continuous-flow platforms, will facilitate dataset generation, real-time control over reaction dynamics, and material production, pushing the boundaries of electrosynthetic methodologies. The ultimate goal is to establish a versatile, high-throughput approach for synthesizing cyclopropane rings and other high-value molecules, paving the way for significant advancements in sustainable synthetic strategies and expanding the potential of EC processes in organic chemistry.

Keywords: electrosynthesis,flow chemistry,automated platform,chemical reactor robotization,reaction optimization,passivation limitation,online chemical process analysis
Electrically tunable cavity-coupled conducting polymer plasmonic antenna arrays for adaptive radiative cooling (ET-CPAARC)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-11-01
End date: 2027-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 236340.0
EU funding (EUR): 236340.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Radiative cooling provides a sustainable solution for reducing the growing global energy consumption, particularly in cooling buildings which today alone constitutes around 10% of the global electricity consumption. In brief, radiative cooling spontaneously cools objects by radiating heat (thermal emission) to the cold outer space. While intense research has focused on developing materials with high radiative cooling efficiency, less attention has been paid on the need to be able to regulate the cooling power to adopt to varying outdoor temperature conditions. The host group recently demonstrated tuning of radiative cooling based on varying the redox-state of a conducting polymer thin film, but still with modest emissivity tuning of 25-40%. This project aims to significantly improve upon such tuning capability by introducing a novel concept which couples a Fabry-Perot optical cavity to a conducting polymer plasmonic antenna arrays. We aim to achieve near-perfect thermal emission in the oxidized (metallic) state of the polymer and to essentially switch off the thermal emission by electrically switching the polymer mirror and antennas to their reduced (dielectric) state.

Keywords: radiative cooling,plasmonics,antenna arrays,conducting polymer,thermal emission
An innovative touch-sound technology to provide 360-degree spatial location and content (TouchingSpace360)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2023-POC, 2023)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2025-02-28
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Digital interfaces & virtual reality (VR) are expected to penetrate more and more aspects of our everyday lives, from the domain of education, to entertainment, to wellness and even medicine. While impressive advancements have been made in visual display for smartphones and visual technology for representing 3D space in VR, the ability to do so via audio (particularly in the back and the vertical dimensions) remains very limited. Following an initial implementation developed under the NovelExperisense ERC grant (PI: Amedi), we present a novel (and patent pending) auditory-tactile method for simulating spatial localization of auditory content (such as speech, environmental sounds, movement in 3D, and more) through touch. This unique method can enhance accessibility for the hearing impaired and improve the overall VR experience for any individual in a wide range of applications. Here we suggest a line of experiments, further R&D and commercialization path for this intriguing and promising technology.