Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
cubesat for QUANtum and 5G cOmmunication (QUANGO)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Space
Theme: Enabling advances in space technology
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Italy,Italy,Malta,France
Call: Satellite communication technologies (H2020-SPACE-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2023-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2127655.0
EU funding (EUR): 2127655.0
Participants: 8
Project status: SIGNED

The secure exchange of sensitive information is of crucial importance in our society, as it protects money transfer, commercial transactions, medical data, remote control of critical infrastructures (power grid, telecom etc.). On the security side, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a protocol based on the laws of quantum mechanics that guarantees unconditional security in the sharing of random keys to be used for secure communication. On the communication side, 5G is the fifth generation of wireless communication, that will soon become the standard for virtually every major telecommunication service provider, as defined by the standards organization 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). Both QKD and 5G technologies require a satellite network for a global coverage of their services. QUANGO will provide a new paradigm to share the satellite infrastructure required for secure communication based on quantum technologies and for 5G communication. The main objective of the project is the design of a network of 12U-CubeSat low-earth-orbit satellites offering combined capabilities for communication secured by QKD and for 5G connection for Internet of Things (IOT), the development of payloads, sub-systems and ground stations for such a network and its implementation feasibility. Specific objectives of the project include: - Design of a nano-satellite with both QKD and 5G capabilities for low orbit satellite-to-ground communication. - Design and development of the quantum payload and ground station. - Laboratory demonstrations of the critical components and subsystems. - Theoretical study of future technologies: intersatellite QKD and integration of QKD security into 5G protocols. - Exploitation and business plan for the 5G-QKD satellite - Development and integration of a QKD system in the networking infrastructure of a leading bank in an EU member state as a prototypical end user of the 5G-QKD satellite.

Keywords: quantum communication,quantum key distribution,5g communication
Artificial Intelligence based Virtual Control Room for the Arctic (AI-ARC) (AI-ARC)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens
Theme: Strengthen security through border management
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Ireland,Iceland,Ireland,Germany,Spain,Italy,Finland,Norway,Sweden,Sweden,Türkiye,Belgium,Finland,France,France,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: Technologies to enhance border and external security (H2020-SU-SEC-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-09-01
End date: 2024-02-29
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6889792.5
EU funding (EUR): 6889792.5
Participants: 23
Project status: SIGNED

The AI-ARC proposal presents a highly innovative and user-friendly artificial intelligence (AI) based platform known as the Virtual Control Room (VCR). Due to the vast amounts of information collected the potential for information overload is real. This reality can complicate the operational picture; reduce situational awareness and often results in delayed and impaired decision-making. On the other hand, areas such as the Arctic Sea suffer from a lack of communication, surveillance data and rescue assets and without action taken to address these vulnerabilities, the consequences are potentially dramatic in terms of accidents, pollution, border infringements and criminal activities. The AI-ARC VCR supports all these challenges by applying AI, machine-learning and virtual reality (VR) technologies to filter numerous validated and statistical data streams and databases to a user-friendly interface. The VCR improves situational awareness by assisting end users to customize a “smart” operational picture. The VCR will permit users to specify their preferences in terms of threat levels, abnormal behavior, interoperability and risk management by flagging detected anomalies with confidence and providing threat or risk levels according to a predefined model based on user preferences. This means that users can create awareness for their own purposes that reflects their needs without increasing their workload. AI-ARC‘s principal objectives align fully with the H2020 BES-SU-open, and are of crucial relevance to it. The Virtual Control Room (VCR) has the power to greatly improve maritime situational awareness, decision-making, communication, available rescue resources, and thus the safety of all maritime actors, particularly in the Arctic Sea. Furthermore, the enhanced communication and collaboration provided by AI ARC’s innovative technology encourages, and enables further development of symbiotic services and fosters much needed Arctic cooperation.

Keywords: search and rescue,eu cise,security,safety,arctic,cooperation,anomaly detection,surveillance,communication,risk assessment,information,virtual reality,interoperability
The future of precise personalised robotic physiotherapy (ADAMO Robot)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Spain
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2019)
Start date: 2019-12-01
End date: 2020-03-31
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Back pain affects over 200 million people in Europe and is a leading cause of disability and chronic pain. It is estimated that the impact of pain associated to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in society costs the EU up to 441 billion Euros per year. To understand patients’ pain, physiotherapists rely on their experience and patient interviews to develop a treatment plan, obtain data regarding patients´ health, pain status and treatment evolution. This can lead to mistreatment decisions, inconsistency through change of physiotherapist and lack of measurable results. Additionally, labour-intensive massages can raise the treatment costs especially for chronic patients. Consequently, there is a need to increase the quality and efficiency of treatments with the possibility to measure results with detail and subsequently decrease patients´ costs and waiting lists to provide fast and reliable therapy. ADAMO robot consists of a robotic arm capable of highly articulated movements to provide precise therapeutic treatment by applying compressed air, which produces the desired effects on the patient’s back. An Artificial Intelligence system monitors its healing evolution in real time to determine the duration of each session and the number of required follow-up sessions. Thereby, after the physiotherapist corroborates the treatment at the first session the robot can reproduce a treatment plan automatically. All data is securely stored in a distributed cloud system allowing full treatment track for patients to receive sessions everywhere in the World. With our solution we will contribute to tackle the EU and global health problem that affects directly the wellbeing of society with personal and with huge economic consequences for our health care system and our companies.

Keywords: robotic healthcare,automated massage,musculoskeletal disorder,back pain,collaborative robotics,healthcare system,artificial intelligence,cloud
Imidazolidinethiones: Underexplored organocatalysts that show promise in catalyzing prebiotic and modern organic reactions (SImCat)

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: Germany
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-15
End date: 2023-04-14
Duration (months): 22.0
Total project cost (EUR): 149239.2
EU funding (EUR): 149239.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As elements in metal-based catalysis are becoming increasingly high risk, organocatalysts represent versatile, green, and robust catalysts as effective alternatives. Imidazolidine-4-thiones are 5-membered thioamide heterocycles with a secondary amine at ring position 1, which have structural similarity to imidazolidinones, successfully used as chiral organocatalysts. However, unlike imidazolidinones and proline-based catalysts, imidazolidinethiones are underexplored and underutilized as catalysts in organic reactions, their catalytic cycle is not proven, and the relative intermediates involved in the cycle have not been isolated to date. Earlier in 2020, imidazolidinethiones have been demonstrated by the Trapp group as suitable catalysts in the alkylation of aldehydes in prebiotic media, and they show promise as organocatalysts in modern organic reactions. In this project, I will investigate the reactivity of relevant intermediates in the organocatalytic cycle, that is, the enamines and iminium ions derived from the imidazolidinethiones and enolizable and non-enolizable aldehydes, respectively. The reactivity of imidazolidine-4-thione derived enamines and iminium ions will be quantified by kinetic measurements and results will embedded in the comprehensive Mayr reactivity scales. Experimental kinetic data will be acquired by applying photometric methods, which cover different timescales from conventional UV-vis spectroscopy to follow slow reactions via stopped-flow techniques to laser flash photolysis for reactions close to diffusion control, which proceed within nanoseconds. This fellowship will shed light on the unproven catalytic cycle and provide a quantitative basis for the future exploitation of this underutilized class of catalysts. Furthermore, I will develop skills in physical organic chemistry using quantitative structure-reactivity relationships and time resolved spectroscopy, while also refining soft skills such as leadership and teaching.

Keywords: linear free energy relationships,organocatalysts,nucleophiles,electrophiles,reactivity,lewis basicity
Exploring the Chemical Biology of Sequence Space via Picoliter Droplets (PicoCB)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
Panel description: Biotechnology using all organisms, biotechnology for environment and food applications, applied plant and animal sciences, bioengineering and synthetic biology, biomass and biofuels, biohazards
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2015-AdG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-10-01
End date: 2022-09-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2308221.0
EU funding (EUR): 2308221.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Directed evolution of functional proteins has arguably emerged as an approach to protein engineering that can complement or better design-led approaches to protein function. However, as a random process, enormous numbers of variants have to be screened and selected to have a chance to identify successful catalysts. This process is costly and cumbersome: Industrial screening facilities require investment of tens to hundred millions of dollars. My group has implemented key steps towards conducting quantitative biological experiments in a much cheaper format. Screening of individual library members in monodisperse oil-in-water compartments ('microdroplets’) that are generated at kHz frequencies in microfluidic devices has been shown to be possible. The droplet compartment constitutes a link between a given phenotype and its encoding genotype, by capturing reaction product, and thus providing a unique system to screen for catalysis.In this way quantitative fitness landscapes for interconversion of members of enzyme superfamilies along the lines of catalytic promiscuity, understanding the factors governing specificity and the mechanistic interpretation of the observed evolutionary pathways can be made. We now apply this screening system of unprecedented capacity for directed evolution and metagenomic screening of enzymes in in vivo and in vitro formats. We plan to apply this system to do experiments that would not be possible with conventional, lower throughput approaches: (i) screening of metagenomic libraries for rare and promiscuous activities that characterise environmental gene collections for their reactivity and potential for applied biocatalysis; (ii) developing a fundamental understanding of and strategic guidelines for enzyme evolution based on fitness landscapes that record data on multiple, promiscuous activities in response to Indel mutations; and (iii) evolution of gene networks to build up signalling networks in vitro.

Keywords: directed evolution,protein engineering,enzyme mechanism,chemical biology,sequence space,fitness pandscape,ultrahigh throughput screening,theory of evolution
Highly automatEd PHysical Achievements and PerformancES using cable roboTs Unique Systems (HEPHAESTUS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Information and Communication Technologies
Action type: Innovation actions
Partnership: Robotics SPARC (cPPP)
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Spain,Italy,Spain,Norway,France,France,France,United Kingdom
Call: Advanced robot capabilities research and take-up (H2020-ICT-2016-1, 2016)
Start date: 2017-01-01
End date: 2020-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4669960.0
EU funding (EUR): 3984542.5
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

The proposal addresses novel concepts for introducing Robotics and Autonomous Systems in the Construction Sector where, at this moment, the presence is minor. Specifically, the Hephaestus project focuses on highly risked and critical construction tasks such as prefab wall installation. In that sense, the Hephaestus has been conceived as a solution for accomplishing multiple tasks on vertical or inclined planes of the built and outdoor environment. For that purpose, the Hephaestus is mainly based on a cable-driven robot and a modular end effector kit. This modular kit can host several tools and devices and therefore we can say it is multifunctional. Among the functionalities, the research project will achieve tasks such as 3D laser scanning of the building structure and the posterior installation of the prefab wall. But we can foresee some other performances such as the cleaning and maintenance of the curtain wall, repair of cracks and painting. The apparatus of the Hephaestus is lean, compatible with other handling systems, highly versatile and its reachability is very broad. Moreover, the controlling system would offer and easy and fast calibration. For achieving this goal, matrix based design methods will be used. It basically consists on decomposing a complex solution, such as the Hephaestus, into interdependent subsystems that can be feasible to solve. Certainly, the integration and adaptation of several technologies into the Hephaestus will be carried out with a systematic approach that will facilitate the election, adjustment and development of suitable tools. This proposal envisages continuous techno-economical assessment, which includes several tests in real conditions where prototypes of the cable-robot and the modular end-effector kit will be demonstrated. As an output of the research, the well balanced consortium and its interdisciplinary expertise will offer a realistic solution to cover primordial needs of the Built Environment and Construction sector.

Keywords: cable robots,outdoor environment,vertical works,automated facade installation,multifunctional end effectors,building information modelling
Ozone Sensitivity of Crops in Africa (OSCA)

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: United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-12-01
End date: 2018-11-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Africa will experience rapid population and economic growth this century. Without pollution controls, the increased demand for fossil fuels, agricultural intensification, and industrial expansion will result in increased emissions of the atmospheric precursors that form ground-level ozone. Ozone is phytotoxic to plants and so reduces crop yields. Global losses in yields are estimated at over $10 billion. Africa will be particularly vulnerable as malnourishment is rampant and already ground-level ozone far exceeds levels safe for plant growth. Deleterious effects of ozone on crops are not included in crop yield forecasts for Africa, so future crop yields are likely overestimated. The overarching aim of this project is to get a data-driven estimate of current and future (2050) effects of ozone pollution on crop yields in Africa with Africa-specific crops and cultivars not yet considered in global studies. Project objectives will be achieved with (1) ozone exposure measurements at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH, UK) where the fellowship will be based; (2) ozone and crop physiology measurements at field sites in Kenya; (3) simulation of surface ozone with an atmospheric chemistry model to be evaluated in this work; and (4) crop productivity forecasts for Africa at the University of Leeds as secondment. Data collected will be used to quantify current and 2050 food security threats of surface ozone in Africa. Results will be reported to relevant air quality and agricultural policymakers to emphasise the need for crop adaptation and ozone pollution control in Africa. New skill sets include ozone exposure experiments, physiological modelling, and crop forecasting; career development will be in project, person and data management; and placement at CEH and University of Leeds will facilitate extensive global networking. CEH will benefit from the candidate’s skills in global atmospheric modelling and a new focus on Africa as part of the ozone impacts team.

Keywords: africa,food security,crop yields,ozone pollution,air quality
How natural hand usage shapes behavior and intrinsic and task-evoked brain activity. (HANDmade)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The Human Mind and Its Complexity
Panel description: Cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, theoretical philosophy
Countries involved: Italy
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2017-STG, 2017)
Start date: 2018-02-01
End date: 2024-01-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1494662.0
EU funding (EUR): 1494662.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

A seminal concept in modern neuroscience is the plasticity of the developing and adult brain that underpins the organismic ability to adapt to the ever-changing environment and internal states. Conversely, recent studies indicate that ongoing sensory input seems not crucial to modulate the overall level of brain activity, which instead it is strongly determined by its intrinsic fluctuations. These observations raise a fundamental question: what is coded in the intrinsic activity? This project tests the hypothesis that intrinsic activity represents and maintains an internal model of the environment built through the integration of information from visual and bodily inputs. The bodily inputs represent the physical and functional interaction that our body establishes with the external environment. In this framework, the hand has a special role, as it represents the primary means of interaction with the environment. Do behavior and mental activity change as a function of the effector we use to interact with the external environment? In virtual settings, I test the resilience of the internal model to extreme manipulations of the body by replacing the hand with everyday tools. The hypothesis is that prior representations constrain novel behaviors and plastic changes of both intrinsic and task-related brain activities. This prediction is also tested on samples of acquired amputees. These subjects represent an interesting model because the hand loss might reflect loss of sensory representations and less constrain on task-related brain activation. Throughout a combination of behavioral approaches, methods and techniques ranging from kinematics to functional neuroimaging (fMRI and MEG) and virtual reality, this project provides insights on how the synergic activity of body and environment shapes behavior and neural activity. This grant might open novel opportunities for future developments of robotic-assisted technology and neuroprostheses.

Keywords: intrinsic brain activity,body representation,fmri,magnetoencephalography,task driven activity,virtual reality,acquired amputees
Development of a more effective and safer therapeutic antibody for cancer treatment with a dual mechanism of action to eliminate CSCs and reactivate the tumour’s immune system. (CSC-IS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Spain
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2014-PoC, 2014)
Start date: 2015-07-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Global cancer market is growing at a CAGR of 6.9% with an estimated value of $81bn in 2016. Although the huge R&D investment observed in the past years in the development of new treatments, there is still lack on an effective treatment in many tumour types. In particular, the median survival for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a high-grade brain tumour affecting 23,000 patients a year in US and EU, is 14 months and its 5-yr survival less than 5%. It is therefore urgent to develop more effective treatments against this fatal disease. There are two main reasons that explain the lack of success for the current treatments: In one hand, Cancer Stem cells (CSCs) are responsible from tumour initiation, maintenance, relapse and metastasis. On the other hand, the tumour has mechanisms to repress the patient’s immune system that attacks tumour cells. Our team has discovered a molecular pathway critical in the regulation of CSCs and the immune checkpoint. The project presented here entails the proof of concept and pre-clinical development of a humanized antibody blocking this pathway. At the end of the ERC POC project we will have a patent protected and fully humanized antibody active in vivo and in vitro and ready to enter Phase I clinical trials in humans to continue its commercialization process. The forecasted annual peak revenue for this therapeutic antibody in GBM is $590M with additional sales coming from line extensions in other cancer indications. With the ERC POC project we are dramatically increasing the commercial value of the therapeutic antibody, transforming an R&D finding (a pathway is critical for cancer) into a potential new solution to patients (a therapeutic antibody). Hence, we are de-risking the product, advancing it through the commercialization path and creating a product and a commercial data package with a good expectative in the cancer market that is ready to be transferred to a spin-off company.

Keywords: cancer,cancer stem cells,immune checkpoint,therapeutic antibodies