Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
eXtreme BENDing strain induced novel interfaces in single crystal cantilevers of strongly correlated metals (XBEND)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Condensed Matter Physics
Panel description: Structure, electronic properties, fluids, nanosciences, biological physics
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2022-COG, 2022)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2957160.0
EU funding (EUR): 2957160.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The ground state of correlated materials is controlled by tuning parameters such as pressure or strain, which are usually applied homogeneously to crystals. Here we aim for strong yet controlled strain gradient fields in microstructured correlated crystals that selectively transform parts of the structure into different electronic ground states. XBENDs ambition is to open a new field of research into gradient quantum matter, defined as a highly non-linear regime in which gradients lead to qualitatively new behavior as compared to simple spatial distributions of bulk phases. The concrete goal is a rational design of new electronic properties at interfaces between different correlated ground states within a single crystal – akin to the interface states between different materials in heterostructures. Specifically, we aim to frustrate interactions and/or competing orders in unconventional superconductors at this interface, with the goal to enhance the transition temperature Tc. We will create interfaces between (1) ferro-polar and paraelectric phases in crystals of doped SrTiO3; (2) oppositely detwinned domains in underdoped Ba(Fe,Co)2As2 crystals; (3) hidden-order and magnetic phases in URu2Si2. Contrasting their nature and physical responses to those expected from trivial phase mixtures will signal that XBEND has entered a non-linear gradient-driven regime. Technically, we will fabricate free-standing single crystal cantilevers from as-grown crystals using Focused Ion Beam (FIB) machining. The cantilevers will be functionalized to allow cryogenic measurements of magnetoresistance while applying bending strain by pushing them with a piezoelectric motor. XBEND aims for extreme strain gradients in the 10%/micron range, yet our proof-of-concept already demonstrated 2%/micron. The induced microscopic strain/domain pattern will be probed by X-Ray microdiffraction at DESY/PETRA III, and a complete finite-element-model will capture the elasto-resistive response.

Keywords: gradients in correlated electron systems focused ion beam
Twinning IZTECH in Robotics Manufacturing Systems (TWIN-IT-ROMANS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Improved access to Excellence
Destination: Improved access to Excellence
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Türkiye,Germany,Austria,Italy,United Kingdom
Call: Twinning Bottom-Up (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02, 2023)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1302152.68
EU funding (EUR): 1248581.25
Participants: 7
Project status: SIGNED

When prototyping or producing a machine or its parts, several methods of manufacturing are used, such as machining, additive manufacturing, laser cutting or welding. These manufactured parts are investigated for their manufacturing tolerances upon production via quality control systems, such as a coordinate measurement machine. However, at the current state of the art, one production machine can only perform its one designated process. Additionally, these machines are generally large and bulky computer numerical control systems. As a result, these manufacturing machines are heavy and non-portable products with high investment costs. For these reasons, small investors or start-ups cannot invest in these machines, or very few of them can invest in only one type of manufacturing machine. The aim of this project is to develop a lightweight, portable and low-cost manufacturing cell that can perform precise manufacturing and quality control. This challenge can only be solved by the collaborative work of interdisciplinary partners. Inspired by this action, Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) has been firmly committed to developing and promoting enabling technologies for robotic and manufacturing systems. However, IZTECH could not fully exploit its technological and innovation potential in this field due to limited resources in research and project management. There is a clear need for concrete partnership between IZTECH and internationally leading counterparts to bring this potential into play, and thus to spread scientific excellence in robotics and manufacturing systems over the European Research Area and industry. In this way, Türkiye's excellence capacity and resources can be improved, and the research and innovation gap between Türkiye and the European Union can be closed in this specific area. As a consequence of this project, IZTECH's reputation and capacity to carry out advanced research are expected to grow due to this collaboration.

Keywords: twinning of centers of excellence,robotic manufacturing cells,sustainable manufacturing
Catalytic Hydrotreatment of Kraft Lignin to Aromatics (Lig2BTX)

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: Austria
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-11-01
End date: 2025-07-31
Duration (months): 21.0
Total project cost (EUR): 155548.26
EU funding (EUR): 155548.26
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Crude oil is the primary source for six-membered aromatic hydrocarbons, building blocks for the production of synthetic fibers, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and dyes. Due to the looming petroleum crisis, biomass valorization is currently receiving a great emphasis in industries and academic institutions for sustainable chemical production. For decades, the pulp and paper industries struggled to generate sustainable technologies to produce value-added chemicals from the Kraft lignin, where it was utilized as fuel to produce heat. This issue is now at the forefront in front of the second generation of biorefineries. Since the first generation of biofuels relies on the food material resulting in rising food prices. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop sustainable processes for the production of aromatics from renewable sources, i.e., lignin, a natural biopolymer consisting of 6 membered aromatic rings. Therefore, the hydrotreatment of lignin to aromatics contributes to emerging resource sustainability and makes the bio-refining processes profitable. The proposed project, Lig2BTX, aims to develop a unique, sustainable catalytic hydrotreatment process for the production of aromatics from an inexpensive and abundant Kraft lignin by utilizing Dandelion type single hollow microsphere catalyst. Also, investigation of the best routes for high yields of aromatics and minimize the overall production cost. The Lig2BTX project combines knowledge from the synthesis of catalysts, chemical engineering, and understanding the molecular level processes by DFT studies. This project will provide breakthrough scientific and engineering experience combined with an excellent training program. It will implement several work packages, focusing on Dandelion flower-like metal oxide synthesis, processes for the production of aromatics from lignin, and optimization of the process the high yields of aromatics, together with the innovation management.

Keywords: aromatics,biomass,biorefinery,catalyst,hydrotreatment,lignin,metalsulfides,renewable energy
The genomic legacy of major human transitions in Mediterranean ants across history. (AntTRAILS)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Germany,Spain
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-07-01
End date: 2027-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 202125.12
EU funding (EUR): 202125.12
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

It is well-established that our species has profoundly shaped biodiversity, and irremediably altered biogeographic boundaries, following human migrations, technological advances and trade. Still, it remains unclear whether this represents a recent phenomenon only, or has been ongoing since the onset of farming, ~12,000 years ago. Many domestic and commensal species that spread with early farmers have today become integral to our daily lives, but less is known about non-model species providing ecosystem services such as ants. Ants were and are a dominant force in ecosystems where human societies developed, undoubtedly representing one of the strongest invaders linked to our historical practices. While they play vital roles in the environment, ants can also have harmful impacts on local habitats, human health and the economy. AntTRAILS will thus explore the history that we share with ants in the Mediterranean region, by investigating how one of the most widespread and synanthropic ant groups in the region responded to human-induced environmental changes over millennia. Integrating morphometry and whole genome sequencing I will first delimit the number of native cryptic species in the region, to subsequently uncover their ancestral distribution range. I will then combine cutting-edge methodologies in population genomics and spatial ecology to reveal how farming, historical trade, and human migrations altered ant biodiversity since the Neolithic Revolution. Comparing historical genomes retrieved from museum specimens to modern ant genomes, I will finally explore the most recent effects of globalisation and climate change on both native and invasive ant species. AntTRAILS will therefore map the anthropogenic impact across space and time, offering insights that will inform strategies for preserving biodiversity and managing invasive species in a rapidly changing world.

Keywords: phylogeography,entomology,invasion biology,ants,human history,trade,climate change,environmental niche modelling,genomics,museomics,biogeography
European Large Open Multi-Modal Foundation Models For Robust Generalization On Arbitrary Data Streams (ELLIOT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Digital
Destination: A human-centred and ethical development of digital and industrial technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: AI-DATA-ROBOTICS (co-programmed)
Countries involved: Greece,Germany,Netherlands,Italy,Spain,Slovenia,Portugal,Finland,Czechia,Belgium,France,Switzerland,United Kingdom
Call: Advancing Large AI Models: Integration of New Data Modalities and Expansion of Capabilities (AI, Data and Robotics Partnership) (RIA) (HORIZON-CL4-2024-HUMAN-03, 2024)
Start date: 2025-07-01
End date: 2029-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 24998023.75
EU funding (EUR): 24998023.75
Participants: 32
Project status: SIGNED

For improving the capabilities of general-purpose AI models and for extending their applicability to domains where the temporal dimension – among several others – is of importance, we will target the development of the next generation of Multimodal Space-Time Foundation Models (MSTFMs). These will combine spatio-temporal understanding, which is important even for modalities such as the visual one that have already been introduced in large generative models, with the effective management of new time-relevant modalities that are yet to be supported in foundation models, such as industrial time series data, remote sensing data and health-related measurements. Real and synthetic data, to mitigate data scarcity, will be leveraged for training general-purpose MSTFMs and for further adapting them for specific downstream tasks. Real data used for training will include data directly provided by members of the consortium as well as data from relevant European Data Spaces, while complementary synthetic data will be generated by exploiting existing generative AI capabilities as well as new ones developed in the project. European HPC infrastructure is directly included in the consortium to ensure the availability of the necessary computing resources.

Keywords: multimodal space time foundation models,general purpose ai,natural language processing
INNOVATIVE STORAGE TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS IN HYDROPOWER (STOR-HY)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Theme: Energy
Destination: Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,France,Norway,Switzerland,Portugal,Netherlands,Germany,Belgium
Call: Demonstration of innovative pumped storage equipment and tools in combination with innovative storage management systems (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-01, 2024)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2028-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 9577268.75
EU funding (EUR): 7996175.0
Participants: 21
Project status: SIGNED

STOR-HY aims to minimize CAPEX, OPEX for innovative pumped storage projects. This is achieved by enhancing the lifetime and recyclability of components and equipment, and devising operation strategies for unconventional schemes through sensor-based condition monitoring systems. These systems detect early failure mechanisms, enabling the postponement of unnecessary maintenance actions and avoiding unplanned outages. Furthermore, strategic use of digital tools for operational management is employed to improve efficiency, reliability, and availability of Pumped Storage Plants. Considering energy and market demand dynamics, variable renewable generation, and integration, STOR-HY addresses climate change effects and enhances flexibility and resilience of the EU energy grid. The project focuses on optimizing plant availability, offering increased storage potential, peak shaving, fast response regulation, and ancillary services for grid resilience. The integration of digital tools, real-time controllers, monitoring strategies, and predictive maintenance algorithms is consolidated in a Cyber-physical platform for Advanced Decision Support (CADS). This platform, along with high-tech computational models, enables the realistic estimation of critical component degradation in short- and long-term operations. This information supports informed decision-making in PSP operation and aids in the design of innovative control strategies for challenging conditions. These developments result in a broader operating range and increased flexibility in EU hydropower generation and storage potential. STOR-HY prioritizes building regional connections with local stakeholders, industry, academia, and policy institutions. Sustainability considerations encompass environmental, circularity, economic, and social aspects, drawing insights from previous projects. These insights include on-site impacts, societal acceptance, ecological concerns, and LCC.

Keywords: wear and tear operational management real time operations maintenance unconventional schemes harsh operating conditions saltwater hybridisations coal mines bess
DIet As food for Gut Microbes to Impact Mother-Offspring Health through Nutrition (DIAMMOND)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Spain,United Kingdom
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-06-01
End date: 2027-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 194074.56
EU funding (EUR): 194074.56
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

The Agenda for Sustainable Development recognised reducing maternal and newborn mortality as a major challenge. Addressing health during pregnancy offers the potential to improve maternal-infant health and to facilitate women’s social participation. The gut microbiome (GM), the community of microbes that inhabit our gut, plays a key role in maintaining host health; however, the factors that modulate the GM in pregnant women remain underexplored. Being diet one of the main modulators of GM, dietary interventions are an accessible strategy to impact its composition and functionality, consequently affecting host health. Nevertheless, few studies examined how diet affects GM during pregnancy and its effects on maternal physiology. We feed millions of co-habiting bacteria that produce bioactive compounds when we eat. What are those metabolites and microbes that produce them? Can we design nutritional strategies to reduce the risk and severity of obstetric disorders? DIAMMOND (DIet As Food for Gut Microbes to Impact Mother-Offspring Health through Nutrition) aims to (i) unravel the influence of specific dietary components on the relationship between GM and the incidence and severity of foetal growth restriction (FGR); (ii) to discover GM species that catabolise these dietary components and metabolites produced; and (iii) to decipher the effects of the products on gestation. The project will create the first metagenomic database of pregnant women GM and will use it to identify the interaction of GM-diet links in healthy and FGR pregnancies. This information will guide the discovery of metabolites resulting from bacterial transformation after the in vitro digestion of the food. Finally, the mechanisms by which these metabolites impact intestinal and placental physiology will be uncovered using complex cellular models. DIAMMOND has the potential to impact dietary guidelines and the design of products or microbiome-modulation strategies to improve maternal and foetal health.

Keywords: microbiome,nutrition,metagenomics,in vitro food digestion,pregnancy,foetal growth restriction
The chemical exposoMe of pregnAnt womeN with GestatiOnal diabetes mellitus (MANGO)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Spain,United States
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-04-01
End date: 2026-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 261380.64
EU funding (EUR): 261380.64
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

There is a lack of knowledge on the multitude of chemicals that we are exposed to, and even less is known about the exposure during pregnancy, the most critical window for adverse health effects on both mother and offspring. In turn, the prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) has incredibly increased during the last decades and it is now diagnosed in up to 18% of the pregnancies. In this context, I propose the project “The Chemical Exposome of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (MANGO)” to be co-supervised by Dr. Navas-Acien and Prof. Gary Miller at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health (USA, Third Country for the outgoing phase), and by Prof. Domingo at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV, Spain, beneficiary institution and host for the incoming phase). The main scientific goals of MANGO are: (1) to determine the occurrence of non-target chemicals in biological samples of 400 pregnant women; (2) to evaluate the association between the exposure to chemicals and clinical data, exploring the effect modification by sociodemographic, dietary and lifestyle factors; (3) to implement a pilot prevention programme to minimize the exposure to hazardous chemicals during pregnancy. These objectives will be tackled by integrating last advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (WP1), mathematical models (WP2) and risk assessment and prevention strategies (WP3). MANGO will leverage biological samples of Diabetes and Pregnancy Cohort from Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili/Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII (IISPV/HJXXIII, associated partner) and will return the knowledge to Europe by implementing the first pilot programme to increase the awareness of the exposure to hazardous chemicals. Through this MSCA-PF-GF, my training in environmental epidemiology in USA would capitalize upon my skills on non-target chemical analysis (MSCA cofund in INSULIN Tecniospring), facilitating the start of a new research line and a track-tenure at URV

Keywords: exposome,gestational diabetes mellitus,pregnancy,adverse health outcome,endocrine disruptor
Advanced Nickel-Titanium Alloys for Medical Device Applications (MEDALLOY)

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: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Ireland,Italy,Czechia,Germany,United States,Sweden
Call: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01, 2024)
Start date: 2026-01-01
End date: 2029-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2976166.29
EU funding (EUR): 2727361.44
Participants: 11
Project status: SIGNED

MEDALLOY is an Industrial Doctoral Network that will provide world-class interdisciplinary and intersectoral training to 9 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) through an international consortium across 6 countries. Nitinol is a unique material with remarkable superelastic and shape memory properties and is critical for innovative cardiovascular devices, addressing the healthcare needs of Europe’s aging population. MEDALLOY targets key challenges identified by our industry partners through its research objectives: develop superior Nitinol alloys with enhanced performance; optimise manufacturing processes to control material microstructure; advance defect tolerance and fatigue life prediction; and create validated simulation tools. MEDALLOY combines the proven expertise of its consortium members, cutting-edge industrial-scale facilities, and an ambitious research plan to push Nitinol research beyond the state of the art, enabling the next generation of Nitinol medical devices and opening possibilities for new innovative solutions. Supported by the industrial participants from across the medical device value chain, all DCs will develop a clear roadmap for commercialisation and exploitation of their research. Our innovative scientific methods, built on key recent patents and publications from across our consortium, will provide an excellent training environment for the 9 high-achieving DCs. Our comprehensive training plan, including network-wide and local actions, will build on the research-based training and include contributions from our clinical, industrial, and academic participants. In addition to technical research training in all stages of the medical device value chain, MEDALLOY will deliver interdisciplinary training to DCs in clinical trials, ethics, sustainability, communication, and entrepreneurship that will enhance career development and promote their development into leading innovators in the European Nitinol Medical Device sector.

Keywords: nitinol medical devices shape memory alloys fatigue