Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Dormant Microbial Communities Reactivation Dynamics in Lake Sediments (DMC-ReaDy)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-04-01
End date: 2023-04-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191149.44
EU funding (EUR): 191149.44
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In aquatic sediments microorganisms are gradually buried by newly deposited layers and cut off from their main energy source, organic matter from overlying water or adjacent land. Yet, large populations of microorganisms are found in buried sediments, living in a state of strongly reduced metabolic activity. The evolutionary advantages of survival in this dormancy-like state remain unclear and may be related to rare events where buried microorganisms are returned to energy-replete conditions after centuries or millennia of starvation. The aim of this project is to observe how fast different sediment-inhabiting microbes are able to reactivate their metabolism and resume growth, and to determine the physiological changes and molecular mechanisms associated with the process. To initiate reactivation of starved microorganisms in a natural setting, deep layers of lake sediment will be transplanted to energy-rich surface sediments in diffusion chambers allowing nutrients to enter the chamber while preventing invasion of other microbes. Changes in gene expression of individual populations, combined with monitoring of cell size, shape, and biomass production will reveal molecular, physiological, and morphological responses involved in exiting starvation. The hypotheses on preferential substrate utilization and interdependencies between different populations derived from results of this in-situ experiment will be tested in controlled laboratory experiments, where targeted reactivation of selected community members will be triggered by addition of predicted preferred substrate. The uncovered mechanisms of microbial starvation survival and reactivation will have implications for the carbon cycling performed by sediment microbial communities, an essential part of the global cycle of carbon sequestration and remineralization. With dormancy being wide-spread in the microbial world, the results will also be relevant for other areas of microbiology and environmental sciences.

Keywords: limits of life,microbial dormancy,microbial communities,microbial activity
Production of renewable methanol from captured emissions and renewable energy sources, for its utilisation for clean fuel production and green consumer goods (Circlenergy)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Iceland
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-2, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2021-06-30
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2610543.75
EU funding (EUR): 1827380.63
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Methanol, needed in industry as a chemical building block (plastics, solvents, additives) and as transportation fuel, has been traditionally produced from coal or natural gas, dependent on fossil fuels (limited supply), contaminating land (mining, drilling) and emitting CO2 to the atmosphere (global warming effect). Nowadays, crop-based biofuels are also used with the same purposes, but consume huge water and land resources for their production. Carbon Recycling International (CRI), founded in 2006 in Iceland, produces renewable methanol (currently 4 kt/year in the George Olah plant) from industrial CO2 emissions and Renewable Energy Sources (RES), through a novel process of clean fuel production (Vulcanol®). This proprietary technology is called Emissions–to-Liquids (ETL) and is certified ISCC Plus by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification system. While conventional production of methanol emits up to 4 t CO2/t methanol, our ETL plant fights global warming by consuming 1.4 t CO2/t of Vulcanol® produced and requires approximately 1500 times less land and up to 15,000 less water than crop based biofuel, eradicating ethical concerns about competition between biofuels and human food production. Vulcanol® is an efficient energy carrier that can be used to easily store and transport off-peak renewable energy, stabilizing the power grid and supporting expansion of RES. ETL helps to fulfil stricter EU regulations regarding the use of advanced renewable fuels and RES; improves air quality in industrial areas, thus, health of their population and employees and supports employment creation (25 skilled jobs per ETL plant). During this phase 2, CRI aims to a) scale up the technology and adapt ETL plants to economically operate with RES, b) to attract investment to build and operate ETL plants and c) to close distribution agreements for the produced Vulcanol®, which by 2024 will provide an annual profit of €95.4 million and an 8.2 years payback.

Keywords: energy,green fuel,methanol,synthetic,advanced fuels,carbon dioxide capture,electrolisis,ethanol,biofuel competition,renewable energies,curtailment,chemical building block,blended fuel
Surface functionalization with thiols: a novel strategy in catalyst design for the efficient reduction of CO2 to C2 products (STRATCAT-CO2)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-08-01
End date: 2021-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 207312.0
EU funding (EUR): 207312.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

By enabling the use of CO2 as a medium for energy storage and as a feedstock for chemical production, the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (eCO2RR) is a potentially transformative technology for the European chemical and energy sectors in view of the European Union’s climate action roadmap. Ethanol and ethylene are high-value eCO2RR products with key roles as a fuel and as a chemical building block, respectively. However, current electrocatalysts are very inefficient in producing these multi-carbon compounds. This action proposes the investigation of an exciting and highly innovative strategy in eCO2RR catalysis—based on functionalizing the catalyst surface with tailored thiol ligands—with a clear potential to overcome the mechanistic hurdles toward C2 product formation. To this end, STRATCAT-CO2 will adopt an interdisciplinary approach combining model catalysts, state-of-the-art characterization, and a close synergy between experimental and theoretical research to gain a mechanistic understanding of surface functionalization that can guide catalyst development. In addition, this action will build bridges between fundamental efforts and electrode and device engineering to achieve breakthrough performance under conditions relevant for practical implementation. STRATCAT-CO2 will provide fresh perspectives in catalyst design for the eCO2RR and, by reaching the foreseen performance targets, set the basis for the development of new electrochemical processes for ethanol and ethylene production. Furthermore, this action will establish an intra-European interdisciplinary network between emerging researchers at DTU and TU Delft. STRATCAT-CO2 will allow the Experienced Researcher to consolidate a diverse set of technical competences uniquely suited for cutting-edge catalysis research, gain skills and credentials in teaching and supervision, and expand his collaboration network, thereby strengthening his career prospects toward achieving research independence.

Keywords: electrocatalysis
Novel packaging films and textiles with tailored end of life and performance based on bio-based copolymers and coatings (BIOnTop)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, and Biotechnology
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Bio-based Industries
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: BBI (Art-187)
Countries involved: Germany,Italy,Spain,Spain,Spain,Italy,Germany,Italy,Spain,Spain,Estonia,Italy,Belgium,Belgium,Croatia,Belgium,Czechia,Netherlands
Call: Develop bio-based packaging products that are biodegradable/ compostable and/or recyclable (H2020-BBI-JTI-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-06-01
End date: 2023-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5513247.2
EU funding (EUR): 4219696.74
Participants: 25
Project status: SIGNED

Only 31% of plastic is currently recycled and plastic packaging still have a deficient end of life. Thus, improvements are needed to provide cost effective solutions with high bio-based contents and suitable performances for demanding packaging applications, with a consumption of 19M ton/year, while still achieving compostability in mild conditions. Using sustainably sourced comonomers, additives and fillers to formulate novel PLA copolymers and compounds, the BIOnTOP project will deliver recyclable-by-design cost competitive packaging solutions that can be mechanically recycled, industrially/home composted or even suitable for anaerobic digestion. Moreover, the barrier properties of delivered bio-packaging trays, films and derived packaging, will be enhanced using removable protein-based coatings and a novel fatty acid grafting technology to decrease permeability and compete with fossil packaging. In the field of textile packaging , most used coatings are not bio-based and of different nature from the coated fibres, making material or organic recycling extremely difficult. New PLA coatings or fatty grafting will allow reprocessing without significant loss of properties. BIOnTOP packaging, based on >85% renewable resources, will be compatible with a broad range of packaging applications’ requirements but also multiple end of Life options. Our materials will be biodegradable in home composting conditions but also recyclable for multiple use secondary packaging. Based on new circular bioeconomy value chains, BIOnTOP will generate growth for EU bioplastics and end users’ industries in the food and personal care sectors with potential in many fields: BIOnTOP production is estimated to reach close to 9.6 Mton per year by 2030, overall leading to €40 M turnover and 170 new jobs. All in all, reducing the environmental footprint of plastics, our new bio-based packaging will have a significant positive social and environmental impact.

Keywords: bioplastic,copolymers,coatings,barrier,biodegradation,home composting,recycling,waste management,end of life,packaging,textile,food,personal care,eco design,circular bioeconomy
Demonstration of Quantum Supremacy in A Photonic Device (QSUP)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-03-01
End date: 2019-04-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200194.8
EU funding (EUR): 200194.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Quantum computers are predicted to have capabilities beyond what is currently available using classical physics. The effort to build a universal quantum computer is a global one. Different approaches are being adopted to control, manipulate and store quantum information, trapped-ions, electron-spins and single-photon modes. However, as the field of quantum computation currently stands one fundamental question still remains: Do quantum computers provide a genuine advantage over their classical counterparts? Determining the answer to this question is the aim of this project. To do this we will carry out an experiment known as BosonSampling: The interference of many single-photon modes across a large interferometric network. It is strongly believed that no classical algorithm could efficiently simulate such an experiment, and thereby performing it in the laboratory will provide the strongest evidence to date that quantum mechanics permits computation beyond what is possible classically. It has been predicted that we will reach such a level of experimental complexity near the 20-30 photon level, thus it is important to move beyond the small scale demonstrations of 3 or 4 photons performed to date. The two main obstacles which have hindered the field moving towards larger BosonSampling experiments are access to multi-photon sources and low loss interferometric networks. In this proposal we will make use of state-of-the-art photon sources based on light emitting quantum dots coupled to photonic crystal waveguides which have demonstrated coupling efficiencies of over 98% to waveguide structures. Finally, to tackle photon loss we will take full advantage of high quality and low loss free-space optical components to build an interferometric network. The optical modes will be encoded as separate temporal modes, thus reducing the experimental complexity of the interferometer. We aim to perform a 10 photon BosonSampling experiment by the end of this two year fellowship.

Keywords: quantum computation,bosonsampling,quantum supremacy,quantum mechanics
Next generation allergen immunotherapy based on specifically modified recombinant hypoallergens (AllergyVAX)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Finland
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-2, 2018)
Start date: 2018-12-01
End date: 2021-07-31
Duration (months): 32.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3684750.0
EU funding (EUR): 1885000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Allergy is a rapidly increasing, global problem that already affects 1 billion people and causes significant social and economic burden. In Europe, allergic rhinitis and asthma cause more than 100 million missed work and school days per year. Allergy is usually managed by avoiding the allergen or by medication that temporarily alleviates the symptoms. The only disease-modifying treatment available to date is allergen immunotherapy (AIT) where long-term symptom relief is achieved by training the immune system to tolerate allergens. However, typical AIT takes 3-5 years, involves monthly injections or daily drops/tablets and has the risk of serious allergic reactions during treatment. Thus, the popularity of AIT is still relatively low compared to symptomatic drugs. We have developed a platform technology for creating modified hypoallergens to be used in AIT. It is based on making small, highly targeted modifications to allergen proteins that reduce their ability to trigger allergic reactions during treatment without compromising their efficacy in building tolerance to natural allergens. With these modified hypoallergens, we expect to shorten the injectable AIT treatment from dozens of injections over 3 years to just 3-6 injections over a few months. From the clinically important major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 we have created rBet v 1 dm hypoallergen. In preclinical tests it has shown 100-fold reduction in histamine release compared to natural allergens and induced similar immunological responses in mice that are desired in human AIT. In the AllergyVAX project we will test rBet v 1 dm for maximum tolerated dose and immunogenicity in allergic patients in a phase I/IIa clinical trial. The project will facilitate seamless transition to phase IIb-III clinical development, establishing a basis for product launch with selected partners and advancing other hypoallergens in the pipeline, including product candidates for grass pollen, dog, horse and peanut allergies.
Flaner, a memory enhancement software platform (Flaner)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Portugal
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2018)
Start date: 2018-12-01
End date: 2019-05-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In a world where the amount of data is increasing exponentially, so is content consumption. It goes without saying that our memory alone is not enough to handle such overwhelming amount of information. To face this challenge, we have created Flaner: a memory enhancement software platform that provides a seamless technology to extract relevant information from any content users choose to memorize and is able to automatically retrieve such information at the right moment and in the right context. Powered by a strong technology backbone based on information retrieval, natural language processing, machine learning, neural networks and deep learning, among others, Flaner will understand and extract the relevant information from that content, continuously enhance it and, using context identification and recommendation systems, automatically and proactively bring back memory insights notifying users whenever these are most valuable to them - acting as a digital extension of our memory. As this problem is enormous and execution focus is paramount, the company has decided to tackle one vertical at a time and initially help users to memorize content around places, targeting people who are interested in exploring their own cities or travelling to different ones, positioning Flaner to disrupt the huge travel and tourism market. Flaner will also connect users with creators and curators of content, meaning publishers, bloggers and influencers, giving them tools to better engage their audience, reduce time spent to create content, successfully transition from desktop to mobile and grow their monetization. Flaner’s memory enhancement technology focused on places is inherently a global product, while also allowing for future expansion to different verticals. The SME instrument Phase 1 is thoroughly aligned to Flaner's strategy, as a solid feasibility study will guide future growth, allowing us to improve our business plan, while also focusing on further technological development

Keywords: memory enhancement technology,machine learning,natural language processing,neural networks,deep learning,information retrieval,probabilistic models,mobile sensors,geolocation,cities,travel
Total Syntheses of Catharanthine and Keramaphidin B by an Iridium-Catalyzed Reductive Cyclization Cascade (CATKERB)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-08-03
End date: 2022-08-02
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212933.76
EU funding (EUR): 212933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

During the course of this Fellowship a reductive cyclization cascade for dihydropyridinones, which consists of an iridium-catalyzed reduction to the corresponding electron-rich dienes and subsequent [4+2] cycloaddition (Diels-Alder reaction) will be developed. A first promising proof of concept study establishing the feasibility of this powerful transformation has already been carried out in the Dixon group; however further optimization by varying the solvent, the reaction time, the temperature or by using suitable Lewis acids is required to perfect the methodology. The additional use of chiral Lewis acid or chiral amine catalysts is also intended to develop an enantioselective variant of this method. The methodology development should then be completed by determining the substrate scope. The resulting azabicyclo[2.2.2]octene motif is an important structural component of various alkaloids. Therefore, this reaction cascade should then be used as a late stage key step in the total syntheses of the natural products catharanthine and keramaphidin B. Catharanthine is an important member of the large class of iboga alkaloids, which usually carry as common structural feature an indole or an indoline moiety. Catharanthine can be considered as a direct precursor of the dimeric Catharanthus alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine, both of which are clinically valuable agents in the treatment of cancer due to their ability to inhibit mitosis the formation of microtubules. The marine alkaloid keramaphidin B belongs to the manzamine family and shows cytotoxicity against P388 leukaemia cells in mice (IC50 0.28 μg/mL) and against epidermal KB cancer cells in humans (IC50 0.30 μg/mL). Structurally, keramaphidin B is a pentacyclic compound comprising two piperidine rings (one bridged and one unbridged) and two macrocycles. Furthermore, this alkaloid has two (Z)-configured and one triple-substituted double bond, as well as four stereogenic centers, one of which is quaternary.

Keywords: total synthesis,catharanthine,keramaphidin b,iridium catalysis,reduction,cycloaddition
Urban strategies for Waste Management in Tourist Cities (UrBAN-WASTE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Climate action, environment,  resource efficiency and raw materials
Theme: Enabling the transition towards a green economy and society through eco-innovation
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Austria,Spain,Spain,Italy,Italy,Spain,Italy,Cyprus,Belgium,Sweden,Sweden,Greece,Greece,Croatia,France,France,France,Netherlands,Denmark,Denmark,Portugal,Portugal
Call: Eco-innovative strategies (H2020-WASTE-2015-two-stage, 2015)
Start date: 2016-06-01
End date: 2019-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4248782.5
EU funding (EUR): 4248782.5
Participants: 28
Project status: CLOSED

Europe’s cities are some of the world’s greatest tourism destinations. The socio-economic impact of tourism is extraordinary and urban tourism, but it brings at the same time a range of negative externalities, including high levels of unsustainable resource consumption and waste production. In comparison with other cities, tourist cities have to face additional challenges related to waste prevention and management due to their geographical and climatic conditions, the seasonality of tourism flow and the specificity of tourism industry and of tourists as waste producers. UrBAN-WASTE will support policy makers in answering these challenges and in developing strategies that aim at reducing the amount of municipal waste production and at further support the re-use, recycle, collection and disposal of waste in tourist cities. In doing so UrBAN-WASTE will adopt and apply the urban metabolism approach to support the switch to a circular model where waste is considered as resource and reintegrated in the urban flow. UrBAN-WASTE will perform a metabolic analysis of the state of art of urban metabolism in 11 pilot cities. In parallel a participatory process involving all the relevant stakeholders will be set up through a mobilization and mutual learning action plan. These inputs will be integrated in the strategies along with a review of the most innovative existing technologies and practices in the field of waste management and prevention. The strategies will then be implemented in the 11 cities and the results will be monitored and disseminated facilitating the transfer and adaptation of the project outcomes in other cases.

Keywords: tourism,tourist cities,urban policies,urban planning,waste prevention,waste management