Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Next Generation Label-free Chemical Nanoscopy for Biomedical Applications (NanoChemBioVision)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2014-STG, 2014)
Start date: 2015-04-01
End date: 2020-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1916076.0
EU funding (EUR): 1916076.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Imagine if one could simply use an optical microscope and see whether a particular virus has infected a biological specimen or not! Or if a single disease causing molecular structure could be detected, 20 years before the disease manifests itself! Conventional microscopy simply does not have such spatial resolution! The challenge is to image endogenous molecules and structures composed of them specifically, in real-time, without tampering and sample destruction. Non-Linear optical techniques such as vibrational sum frequency generation (vSFG) and coherent Raman scattering (CRS), which use the intrinsic properties of molecules for selectively imaging them, provide a solution. They are non-invasive, label-free, chemically selective and non-destructive with capability for video-rate imaging of biomolecules and biochemical structures. However, they need to overcome the frontier of spatial resolution to be able to provide information at <100 nm level, which is much below the limit for these techniques and conventional microscopy. The proposal addresses this challenge by developing and implementing a generic, simple optical ultra-high resolution technology using a novel approach based on super-oscillatory modulation of light coupled with wavelength mixing. We will uniquely apply this approach to the chemically selective vSFG and CRS techniques. Ultra-high spatial resolution with these techniques will allow unprecedented new insight into many biochemical phenomena. To demonstrate the utility of ‘chemical nanoscopy’ developed in this proposal vesicular transport in axons of neurons will be studied, which is highly relevant to cognitive decline observed in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. The project outcomes have the potential to revolutionize research and biomedical understanding by opening doors to ‘unseen biology’, unravelling disease, viral infection and allergy mechanisms and ultimately, yielding better diagnostics and therapeutics.

Keywords: biological imaging,microscopy
Improved Fluid Dynamics for Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions (IMFDforHIC)

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: Germany
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2017-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 159460.8
EU funding (EUR): 159460.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

One of the fundamental questions in the field of high-energy physics is what are the properties of strongly interacting matter at high temperature or density, when one expects a transition from hadronic degrees of freedom to deconfined matter, quark-gluon plasma (QGP), where the degrees of freedom are quarks and gluons. Experimentally such matter can be studied in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, and there are currently two major collider experiments, the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, performing such studies. Currently, there are strong indications that a small droplet of nearly thermalized QGP is indeed formed in these collisions. Extracting the properties of the matter from experimental data is, however, challenging, and requires a good understanding of the dynamical evolution of the system. With the present computational techniques it is not possible to solve the evolution directly from the theory of strong interactions, QCD, but phenomenological models are needed to describe the evolution, and determine how the properties of the matter are reflected in the experimental observables. In order to reliably extract the properties of the formed matter, it is essential that the models describe simultaneously as many experimental observables as possible. Furthermore, it is important that the validity of the theoretical models and uncertainties associated with the used approximations and input parameters are properly addressed. The main goals of the proposed research are: (i) reduce and quantify the uncertainties in the modeling of the spacetime evolution of the system formed in the collisions, and (ii) find constraints for the unknown properties of strongly interacting matter from the currently available experimental data.

Keywords: quark gluon plasma,relativistic fluid dynamics
LOW valued energy sources UPgrading for buildings and industry uses (LOWUP)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Theme: Reducing energy consumption and carbon foorpint by smart and sustainable use
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Spain,Spain,Austria,Spain,Italy,Italy,Spain,Finland,Switzerland,Finland,France,Netherlands
Call: New heating and cooling solutions using low grade sources of thermal energy (H2020-EE-2016-RIA-IA, 2016)
Start date: 2016-11-01
End date: 2020-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3727078.35
EU funding (EUR): 3727078.35
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

In the “secure, clean and efficient energy” initiative, it is stated that the most important milestones for such a transformation are the EU's energy and climate targets for 2030, which are: (i) at least 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990, (ii) at least 27% for the share of renewable energy consumed in the EU, and (iii) at least 27% improvement of energy efficiency and an electricity interconnection target of 10%[1].The LowUP Project has a two-fold strategy: 1) on one hand, to target goals (i) and (ii) of these climate challenge with a 42 months duration project where innovation will be the core activity, and 2), on other hand, to successfully present different technological solutions which will enable the participation of low grade thermal energy sources in the energy transition, and improve the efficiency of the Europe Low Exergy systems, not only at building level but also in industrial applications. Within the LowUP project three different heating and cooling systems will be developed and demonstrated at relevant environment: HEAT-LowUP (low exergy heating system directly fed by solar and sewage water recovered heat) COOL-LowUP (low exergy cooling systems directly fed by renewable and free energy sources) and HP-LowUP ( waste heat recovery and upgrading via heat pump.) The first two systems are focused on the rational and efficient use of low valued energy sources for direct implementation in low-exergy heating & cooling systems for buildings and the third one is focused on the exploitation of low temperature residual energy, wasted with industrial processes, by upgrading them to generate useful heat to be re-introduced in the process. The project will be implemented using the Acciona thermal lab located in Seville where will be emulated different real cases as the industrial process of a Water treatment plant, an automotive factory and a retirement house.

Keywords: heating,cooling,residual,renewable,waste,energy,low exergy,building,industry,business models,pvt panels
Molecular dissection of the mechanisms of cell-cell fusion in the fission yeast (CELLFUSION)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Cellular, Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Panel description: Structure and function of the cell, cell-cell communication, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, growth, development, evolution of development, organoids, stem cells, regeneration, therapeutic approaches
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2015-CoG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-10-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999955.99
EU funding (EUR): 1999955.99
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cell fusion is critical for fertilization and development, for instance underlying muscle or bone formation. Cell fusion may also play important roles in regeneration and cancer. A conceptual understanding is emerging that cell fusion requires cell-cell communication, polarization of the cells towards each other, and assembly of a fusion machinery, in which an actin-based structure promotes membrane juxtaposition and fusogenic factors drive membrane fusion. However, in no single system have the molecular nature of all these parts been described, and thus the molecular basis of cell fusion remains poorly understood. This proposal aims to depict the complete fusion process in a single organism, using the simple yeast model Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which has a long track record of discoveries in fundamental cellular processes. These haploid cells, which fuse to generate a diploid zygote, use highly conserved mechanisms of cell-cell communication (through pheromones and GPCR signaling), cell polarization (centred around the small GTPase Cdc42) and fusion. Indeed, we recently showed that these cells assemble an actin-based fusion structure, dubbed the actin fusion focus. Our five aims probe the molecular nature of, and the links between, signaling, polarization and the fusion machinery from initiation to termination of the process. These are: 1: To define the roles and feedback regulation of Cdc42 during cell fusion 2: To understand the molecular mechanisms of actin fusion focus formation 3: To identify the fusogen(s) promoting membrane fusion 4: To probe the GPCR signal for fusion initiation 5: To define the mechanism of fusion termination By combining genetic, optogenetic, biochemical, live-imaging, synthetic and modeling approaches, this project will bring a molecular and conceptual understanding of cell fusion. This work will have far-ranging relevance for cell polarization, cytoskeletal organization, cell signalling and communication, and cell fate regulation.

Keywords: optogenetics,cell cell fusion,cytoskeleton,cell fate
Non-invasive decoding of cortical patterns induced by goal directed movement intentions and artificial sensory feedback in humans (Feel your Reach)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Austria
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2015-CoG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-05-01
End date: 2021-07-31
Duration (months): 63.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1994161.0
EU funding (EUR): 1994161.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In Europe estimated 300.000 people are suffering from a spinal cord injury (SCI) with 11.000 new injuries per year. The consequences of spinal cord injury are tremendous for these individuals. The loss of motor functions especially of the arm and grasping function – 40% are tetraplegics – leads to a life-long dependency on care givers and therefore to a dramatic decrease in quality of life in these often young individuals. With the help of neuroprostheses, grasp and elbow function can be substantially improved. However, remaining body movements often do not provide enough degrees of freedom to control the neuroprosthesis. The ideal solution for voluntary control of an upper extremity neuroprosthesis would be to directly record motor commands from the corresponding cortical areas and convert them into control signals. This would realize a technical bypass around the interrupted nerve fiber tracts in the spinal cord. A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) transform mentally induced changes of brain signals into control signals and serve as an alternative human-machine interface. We showed first results in EEG-based control of a neuroprosthesis in several persons with SCI in the last decade, however, the control is still unnatural and cumbersome. The objective of FEEL YOUR REACH is to develop a novel control framework that incorporates goal directed movement intention, movement decoding, error processing, processing of sensory feedback to allow a more natural control of a neuroprosthesis. To achieve this aim a goal directed movement decoder will be realized, and continuous error potential decoding will be included. Both will be finally joined together with an artificial kinesthetic sensory feedback display attached to the user. We hypothesize that with these mechanisms a user will be able to naturally control an neuroprosthesis with his/ her mind only.

Keywords: electroencephalography,movement decoding,error potential,sensory feedback,brain computer interfacing,spinal cord injury,neuroprosthesis
TREG – innovative cell therapy targeting Diabetes Type 1 (TREG)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Poland
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-2, 2018)
Start date: 2018-11-01
End date: 2023-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3571427.5
EU funding (EUR): 2499999.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The main challenge of the project is to prepare and start Phase III of clinical development of TREG – a ground breaking Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) somatic cell therapy with T-regulatory cells obtained from the patient’s blood. T1D preventions strategies has not yet been successful. TREG project aims to change it and become first efficient prevention T1D therapy. The uniqueness and innovativeness of the treatment lies in the reduction of the disease causes, and not only its clinical symptoms which improves the quality of life and clinical parameters of patients. The TREG therapy, patented technology, is a response to the largest, according to World Health Organization, global health emergencies of the 21st century – diabetes. In 2014 422 million people in the world had diabetes compared to 108 million in 1980. It means the global prevalence (age-standardized) of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980 rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population and will be still growing. According to IDF Diabetes Atlas 2017 it is estimated that among them 7% to 12% have type 1 diabetes. While DM2 is more common, it is potentially preventable. The causes and risk factors for T1D remain unknown and prevention strategies has not yet been successful. Majority of the efforts in the area of T1D treatment are put on the production of insulin preparations or development of medical devices connected with insulin admission and glucose control. Progress in this area has significant influence on the quality of patient’s life, but in fact they don’t remove the causes of the illness. As a result of the proposed project, PolTREG will start the next stage of clinical trials (Phase III) on the safety and efficacy of the therapy in a broader pediatric population. If successful, the project will accelerate availability of a breakthrough therapy to the T1D patients and put PolTREG on a path of business development by a full-scale commercialization of the innovation.

Keywords: diabetes type 1,immunotherapy,t cells,first in class therapy,clinical trials
Three-dimensional magnetization textures: Discovery and control on the nanoscale (3D MAGiC)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Synergy grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Netherlands
Call: ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2019-SyG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-07-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 11880357.8
EU funding (EUR): 11880356.0
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

Over the past 150 years, many of the greatest questions in physics, spanning astronomical dimensions to quarks, have addressed how particles can emerge in continuous fields. In this highly exploratory project, we will open a window into the behavior and control of some of the least explored and most puzzling objects in nanomagnetism: three-dimensional (3D) magnetic solitons (MSs). These are spatially localized stable magnetization textures that have particle-like properties and are expected to move and interact in 3D in magnetic crystals and heterostructures in a similar manner to ordinary particles. Until now, their theoretical study has been restricted to simple models, while the experimental study of individual 3D MSs is nearly unexplored as a result of their deep-sub-micron size and a current lack of suitable characterization techniques. We bring together four complementary research groups with expertise in theoretical descriptions of magnetism, device physics and magnetic characterization with high spatial and temporal resolution. Methodological breakthroughs by the partners will enable new fundamental theoretical and experimental insights into the nucleation, stability, dynamics and transport of 3D MSs, which are predicted to be influenced strongly by their nontrivial topology. Particular attention will be paid to the manner in which 3D MSs can be controlled and manipulated dynamically. This project will open the field of 3D magnetization textures at the nanoscale to fundamental science,with a view to enabling disruptive applications. 3D MSs are foreseen to play the role of information carriers that can move freely in any spatial direction and to offer a key advance over conventional 2D magnetization textures. Results from the project will provide guidelines for their use in applications that include magnetic storage technology and neuromorphic information processing systems and enable the realization of pervasive new 3D device concepts.

Keywords: transmission electron microscopy,off axis electron holography,skyrmions,hopfions
Refining our view on planet Mercury, in anticipation for the BepiColombo mission. (MERCURYREFINEMENT)

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: Belgium
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2020-07-01
End date: 2022-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 178320.0
EU funding (EUR): 178320.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As the inner-most object of our solar system, planet Mercury is of unique relevance for e.g., solar system dynamics, planetary formation theory, and terrestrial magnetic field generation. So far, two single (NASA) space missions to Mercury have been performed. In 2018, ESA and JAXA will launch the dual-satellite BepiColombo to study Mercury from orbit with the largest and most advanced payload to date. BepiColombo’s formal objectives have been formulated prior to NASA’s latest space mission to Mercury (MESSENGER). It is now time to use MESSENGER's data return to refine our view on Mercury as support for BepiColombo’s measurement phase, starting December 2025. In this fellowship, MESSENGER data will be used to re-investigate Mercury’s interior structure, magnetic field and surface age. At the Royal Observatory of Belgium, advanced core-composition specific models on the planet’s interior will be developed. These will incorporate new experimental data on relevant metallic core-alloys which will be obtained at the High-Pressure laboratory of the VU University in Amsterdam and at synchrotron facilities. The potential of future geophysical measurements to constrain Mercury’s core composition will be the emphasize of these models. Dynamo simulations will be performed at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research to study Mercury’s magnetic field generation for a suite of dynamo constraints. These will improve constraints on the core’s dynamic state, which relates to the planet’s structure and core composition. Also, a new crater-counting-based surface dating method will be developed and calibrated by new models for the inner solar system’s dynamics. Applied to Mercury, this method will refine its surface age and its geological evolution and informs on the evolution and state of its mantle. Results of the above topics will be discussed in light of the measurement potential of BepiColombo and other future space missions and in light of the planet’s formation.

Keywords: planet mercury
Innovative Financing for Servitisation and Capitalization of Energy Efficiency Solutions for SMEs Efficient Equipment as a Service (eEaaS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Theme: Reducing energy consumption and carbon foorpint by smart and sustainable use
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Spain,Belgium,Switzerland,Netherlands
Call: Innovative financing for energy efficiency investments (H2020-LC-SC3-EE-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-06-01
End date: 2023-11-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1625531.25
EU funding (EUR): 1625530.0
Participants: 4
Project status: SIGNED

The Efficient Equipment as a Service (eEaaS) program aims to develop and deploy new business models and a financial structure to enable the transition and facilitate the market adoption of energy efficient equiment-as-a-service in SMEs. The consortium participants (BASE, AGORIA, ANESE, Innoenergy) have been exploring and implementing eEaaS, focusing on financial, fiscal and legal challenges and solutions. They build on present frontrunner experience, attempt to solve barriers, ranging from asset value to shareholder and financial 3rd party management. Their unique expertise on financing, ESCOs, business needs when transitioning from selling products to selling services will enable investments roundtables and building pipeline of projects. eEaaS has two main components: a) mainstream the EE servitisation financial model to facilitate the access of SME to smart, high-energy efficient technologies and b) standardise a financing structure (for example "sale-leaseback" model). Past experience has indeed shown that a potential bottleneck for this type of models is the lack of liquidity, financial capacity or capacity to access competitive financing for the providers under conditions that do not hurdle the potential pipeline of servitisation projects. eEaaS model aims to overcome the barriers that have inhibited SMEs from investing in EE solutions as they compete with investment opportunities related to their core business, which are better understood by SMEs in terms of risks and rewards. Servitisation supports SME competitivity by using smart technologies for energy use measuring, supporting the digital economy. In addition it supports a circular economy approach by incentivising technology providers to make their equipment modular, with parts being reusable/recyclable since the ownership of the equipment is never transferred to the client.

Keywords: servitisation,recapitalisation,smes,pay per use,efficient equipment as a service