Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Quantum Controlled X-ray Spectroscopy of Elementary Molecular Dynamics (QuantXS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — 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: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2023-STG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1401103.0
EU funding (EUR): 1401103.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Elementary processes in nature, chemical synthesis, and functional materials critically rely on photochemical transformations. Monitoring these events on the most fundamental level and recording movies of individual molecular motions has been a long-standing dream of chemists and physicists. To this end, time-resolved spectroscopy uses carefully timed sequences of short laser pulses to concatenate stroboscopic frames of information, in analogy to a video camera. This has recently been pushed to the X-ray domain, where ultrabright femto- and attosecond laser pulses enable scientists to monitor nuclear and electronic motions in real-time. However, key features remain elusive due to their intrinsic weakness and the high complexity of their coupled dynamics. My primary goal is to tackle this challenge and develop methods capable of monitoring fundamental molecular photochemistry with unprecedented precision. QuantXS is a theoretical program that puts forward the completely novel concept of quantum-controlled X-ray spectroscopy. I specifically propose to implement pulse shaping techniques at the pump, amplification, and probe stage of time-resolved X-ray measurements. This will tailor the spectroscopic pulse sequence for maximum specificity to so far unmeasured signatures of elementary molecular events. To achieve this, I will implement a bottom-up approach starting with the quantum dynamical simulation of a photochemical ring opening and its transient X-ray signals. I will then use optimal control theory to shape light pulses that (i) maximize the observable absorption, emission, and energy redistribution of existing, weak signatures and bring them above the detection threshold, and (ii) explore entirely new parameter regimes for time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy to generate conceptually new signals. By demonstrating these applications, QuantXS will push ultrafast X-ray sciences to new frontiers in its endeavor to measure the fundamental properties of matter.

Keywords: x ray spectroscopy,molecular dynamics
Robotic Fluids for artificial muscles, wearable cooling, and active textiles (ROBOFLUID)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and Communication Engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Italy
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2023-STG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1498750.0
EU funding (EUR): 1498750.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Fluid circulation is ubiquitous in both living creatures and machines, and it serves multiple functions: temperature regulation, transport of nutrients, mechanical actuation. A beating heart is a soft pump that keeps animal alive through blood circulation. ROBOFLUID will merge fluids capabilities with electrical control to equip robots and wearables with the superpowers of fluids. By untangling the interaction between intense electric fields and fluid mechanics, ROBOFLUID will develop a new class of solid-state fluidic devices where flow is directly driven in situ by electrical signals, and where fluid velocity, pressure and temperature are used to sense the device status and the environment. The large number of components required to operate conventional fluidics (pumps, valves, tubing, plugs), have prevented its use in untethered systems. ROBOFLUID will overcome this limitation by means of solid-state pumps where fluids are directly accelerated by electric fields. Similarly, to robotic hearts, robotic fluids will drive (1) new strong and robust artificial muscles, (2) wearable coolers and (3) active textiles for movement support and haptics. ROBOFLUID will leverage our experience with soft robotics, electroactive materials and solid-state pumping based on Electrohydrodynamics (EHD). By bringing these fields together and bridging them with emerging active fibers technologies for wearables, we aim to create new scientific understanding of fluid mechanics and field emission in liquids under high electric fields and to create new ground-breaking functionalities for robots and wearables. We will create (1) robust, high-power-density fluidic muscles that will make low-cost dexterous robotic hands possible, (2) wearable coolers to reduce energy consumption from air conditioning and to protect fragile people during extreme heat waves, (3) textile artificial muscles to facilitate daily actions in the elderly and to enable remote physical interactions.

Keywords: soft robotics,artificial muscles,robotic materials,wearable robots,smart textiles
Dynamic response of cells to viscoelastic forces (DISCOVER)

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,Netherlands
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-05-01
End date: 2027-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 194074.56
EU funding (EUR): 194074.56
Participants: 2
Project status: TERMINATED

Mechanobiology explores how physical forces affect cellular processes, providing insights into areas like embryogenesis and tumor growth. While most studies focus on cells responding to forces stemming from elastic materials, biological materials are viscoelastic. Single materials elastically resist deformation while viscously relaxing with a multitude of relaxation times. Whereas viscoelasticity is increasingly acknowledged in mechanobiology research, its effects on cell behaviour remain poorly understood. This project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind viscoelastic mechanotransduction, by considering cell dynamics and multiple relaxation times within the cell environment. I will engineer hydrogels with tuneable viscoelastic properties, culture fibroblasts on them and employ cutting-edge (live cell) fluorescence microscopy and computational modeling of the cellular mechanotransduction. The hydrogels' elasticity will be tuned by the 3D crosslinked network, and viscosity by linear polymers within the network. Considering properties of gel and force-sensitive proteins inside the cell a stochastic simulation will predict and explain cell behavior, a data-driven model will infer properties from experimentally observed cell behavior. Experimentally, I will characterize mouse fibroblast mechanotransduction on these gels, focusing on adhesion, cytoskeleton, and YAP/TAZ activity, using fluorescent proteins and confocal microscopy. Chemical perturbations of the cytoskeleton will validate the model. Spanning experimental and theoretical methods from material science, cell biology, and computational sciences, this project will shed light on a crucial but underexplored aspect of mechanobiology. As mechanical changes in the cell enviroment are a hallmark of many tumors, this research is particularly relevant for oncology. Further, the models and insights gained will have an impact on the study of organoids in viscoelastic 3D matrices, as well as fibrosis and would healing.

Keywords: viscoelasticity,elasticity,viscosity,substrate,clutch model,hydrogel,polyacrylamide,cell mechanics,mechanobiology,mechanotransduction,modelling
Conformations of High Topological Genus Membranes (HighGenMem)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-04-01
End date: 2025-05-31
Duration (months): 26.0
Total project cost (EUR): 214934.4
EU funding (EUR): 214934.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Biomembranes are fundamental to our understanding of the cell, the basic building block of all life. An intriguing aspect of membranes is their ability to assume a variety of shapes, which is crucial for cell function. While membranes can bend easily, their surface topology often remains constant. Topology is characterised by topological genus g, which counts the number of handles attached to a sphere. For instance, g=0 for a sphere and g=1 for a mug. Over the past decades, the shape of fluid lipid membranes with spherical topology (g=0) has been extensively explored experimentally, theoretically, and through computer simulations. However, our understanding of membranes of higher genera remains extremely limited. High-genus membranes are of interest for two reasons: (i) organelle membranes, such as the ones found in mitochondria and Golgi apparatus exhibit high-genus shapes, and (ii) these structures allow for a much wider range of membrane conformations, which enables a better design of biomimetic systems, such as vesicles for nanotechnological and biomedical applications. Computer simulations have emerged as an indispensable tool for investigating complex biological systems. I am an expert on membrane biophysics and computer simulation techniques. Since 2012 I have been developing a multiscale computer simulation scheme that is an ideal tool for exploring membrane shapes. In this research proposal, I will expand the multiscale scheme to characterize high-genus membranes. I aim to predict different emerging shape families, understand how to control, and stabilize these shapes, and reveal how proteins organize on these morphologies. This investigation will yield a plethora of new data on biomembrane shapes, thereby contributing to biomedical developments by providing fundamental theoretical bases for understanding cellular membrane behaviours and for the design of biomimetic systems.

Keywords: biomembranes,biophysics
Socially-Acceptable and Trustworthy Human-Robot Teaming for Agile Industries (SOPRANO)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Digital
Destination: Digital & Emerging Technologies for Competitiveness and Fit for the Green Deal
Action type: Innovation actions
Partnership: AI-DATA-ROBOTICS (co-programmed)
Countries involved: Germany,Greece,Italy,Luxembourg,Belgium,Ireland,United Kingdom,France,Austria
Call: Increased robotics capabilities demonstrated in key sectors (AI, Data and Robotics Partnership) (IA) (HORIZON-CL4-2022-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02, 2022)
Start date: 2023-10-01
End date: 2027-01-31
Duration (months): 40.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8793462.75
EU funding (EUR): 8039523.77
Participants: 20
Project status: SIGNED

Manufacturing, construction, and agriculture are major driving forces for the European economy and prosperity. Maintaining its competitiveness in these sectors demands highly efficient and flexible processes, and this can be achieved through digitization. Novel intelligent robotic capabilities that can be deployed side-by-side with humans and can operate and adapt to dynamic environments can accelerate this process. However, existing robotic systems cannot fit well into such settings as they are not versatile and flexible enough to automate certain tasks, cannot collaborate safely with humans in open and dynamic environments, nor are they easily and economically adaptable to process changes. The SOPRANO project coalesces multidisciplinary research and innovation in human-robot collaboration and intelligent multi-agent systems, aspiring to design the next generation of manufacturing floors, construction sites, and agri-food production, where humans and intelligent machines will seamlessly work together. It proposes to scale collaboration from the single human-agent dyad to a peer-based synergy between multiple interconnected robotic systems featuring different physical and cognitive properties, supporting various tasks in collaboration with human workers, robotics and other agents. SOPRANO will validate the technological offering in three novel and open-access use cases addressing both large-scale industries and small to medium enterprises, adding value to EU key sectors and instrumenting community building surrounding the open-source technologies in the EU industrial ecosystem. During the project, we will also enable external SMEs and start-ups to benefit from the project technologies via an open call, which will enable the building of demonstrators using SOPRANO technologies that will open new market opportunities for their products and services.

Keywords: collaborative production systems,collaborative assembly lines,agile manufacturing
New Technologies for Next-Generation Gravitational-Wave Detectors (GRAVITY)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Staff Exchanges
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Italy,France,Spain,Poland,United States,Japan,Netherlands,Greece,Belgium
Call: MSCA Staff Exchanges 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-SE-01, 2024)
Start date: 2026-01-01
End date: 2029-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 409388.57
EU funding (EUR): 400800.0
Participants: 15
Project status: SIGNED

Since the first detection of gravitational waves in 2015 and the multi-messenger observation of a binary neutron star merger in 2017, gravitational-wave (GW) astronomy has advanced rapidly, delivering groundbreaking discoveries in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. The international GW network—LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA—has detected over 200 sources, with ongoing upgrades to enhance sensitivity and astrophysical reach. Future next-generation observatories, including the Einstein Telescope in Europe and Cosmic Explorer in the U.S., are set to begin operations beyond 2035. The Einstein Telescope will detect hundreds of thousands of compact-object mergers up to redshifts of a few tens, enabling precise measurements of the Hubble constant (H₀) and dark energy parameters, searches for dark matter candidates, new GW sources like spinning neutron stars and supernovae, and detailed mapping of compact-object mass distributions. Multi-messenger observations will further enrich our understanding of the universe. The GRAVITY project fosters international collaborations on key experimental advancements for future detectors, including cryogenic techniques for thermal noise reduction, quantum noise suppression, and fused-silica-based suspensions. It will also focus on detector characterization, glitch identification, advanced data-analysis algorithms, and interdisciplinary data interpretation. A crucial aspect is the transfer of knowledge to private companies, driving innovation in precision optics, quantum technologies, and advanced materials. These collaborations will enhance detector performance and create broader technological applications, benefiting both science and industry. Gravitational-wave science, bridging classical physics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics, is also a powerful tool for outreach and education. Alongside cutting-edge research, GRAVITY will engage in educational initiatives and public outreach to inspire future generations.
Motives and the Langlands program (MotLang)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Mathematics
Panel description: All areas of mathematics, pure and applied, plus mathematical foundations of computer science, mathematical physics and statistics
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2021-STG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-04-01
End date: 2027-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1409163.0
EU funding (EUR): 1409163.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

This proposal belongs to the field of arithmetic geometry and lies at the interface of number theory, algebraic geometry and the theory of automorphic forms. More precisely, I aim to use algebraic cycles in the form of motivic sheaves to address fundamental questions about the Langlands program for function fields. This aims at motivic Langlands parametrizations. The Langlands program predicts a decomposition of the space of automorphic forms by motivic Langlands parameters. A breakthrough of V. Lafforgue for function fields with generalizations by Xue, Zhu, Drinfeld and Gaitsgory led to tremendous progress in the construction of l-adic Langlands parameters. The recent work of Fargues--Scholze for non-Archimedean local fields uses similar techniques in another context. This should be viewed as the l-adic realization of the conjectured motivic parametrization. Independently, recent advances for motivic sheaves, as envisioned by Grothendieck and realized by Voevodsky, Ayoub, Cisinski--Déglise, provide powerful techniques to handle algebraic cycles. Despite the immense progress in both areas, hardly any advances have been made specifying the motivic nature of Langlands original prediction. My project aims to develop new tools to make motivic sheaves amenable for applications in the Langlands program for function fields. In my ongoing joint work with Scholbach, we have successfully implemented key constructions such as IC-Chow groups of shtuka spaces and the motivic Satake equivalence (Math. Ann.) bypassing the use of standard conjectures on algebraic cycles. As in my joint work with Haines, this in particular requires to study the geometry of infinite dimensional varieties such as the affine Grassmannian. Based on these results, I will attack the longstanding open problem on the relation of automorphic forms and motives in the function field case.

Keywords: langlands program,motives,function fields
PEptides Promoting Tolerogenic Interactions with Microbiota (PEPTIM)

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
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 194074.56
EU funding (EUR): 194074.56
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Food allergy (FA) is a growing health issue in urbanized countries, notably affecting children, with prevalence rates of 5.7% to 16.6% in Europe due to egg and cow's milk allergies. Western lifestyle factors and environmental exposures contribute to FA by causing inflammation and damaging epithelial barriers. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbiota, impairs immune development and tolerance, leading to an exaggerated Th2 response and reduced RORγt+ regulatory T cells (iTregs). Current FA treatments are limited, highlighting the need for new approaches. Bioactive peptides from enzymatically hydrolyzed allergens offer a promising alternative to traditional oral immunotherapy (OIT), potentially reducing allergenicity and side effects. These peptides may induce tolerance more effectively and positively influence gut microbiota. The PEPTIM project aims to explore the mechanisms of oral tolerance with bioactive peptides by analyzing immune responses and microbiota changes. Using murine models and in vitro cultures, the study will investigate the impact of these peptides on gut microbiota and intestinal function. Objectives include: (1) Comparing immune and microbiota changes with intact versus bioactive peptides during OIT, (2) Developing models to study microbial roles in tolerance, and (3) Examining interactions between bioactive peptides, microbial communities, and gut epithelial barrier. This research seeks to enhance understanding of FA mechanisms and explore new therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: peptides,food allergy,microbiota,tolerance,metabolites,gut,homeostasis
Tiny Machines Working to Elucidate Mechanisms of Cerebrovascular Pathologies (CMT-DN)

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,Spain,Italy,Romania,Germany,France,Netherlands,United States
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): 4731581.37
EU funding (EUR): 4220731.8
Participants: 14
Project status: SIGNED

The CerebroMachinesTrain Doctoral Network (CMT-DN) seeks to go beyond the state-of-the-art of drug delivery systems by focusing on tiny machines (TMs) that can be engineered as stable formulation devices capable of: i) transporting the desired amount of therapeutic substance (drug) to a target area; ii) preserving its designed function under variable physiological parameters; iii) enhancing drug bioavailability; iv) preserving the healthy environment (cells, tissues, organs) with minimal to no side effects. These TMs will require innovative engineering designs to face the complex brain environment in which they must perform as a first organ testing platform. CMT-DN aims to train and transform a young, talented generation of 14 researchers to PhD level and as future leaders in the state-of-the-art engineering of TMs and brain-on-chip devices (VRAINORG) for unravelling the mechanisms and improved treatment options underlying cerebrovascular pathologies. The engineered TMs will be designed to work and tested against VRAINORG platforms, which are 3D non-animal technologies of vascularised brain organoids (healthy and disease models) incorporated within microphysiological systems (MPs). This innovative training programme will bring together a panel of academic and industry experts in TMs biomimetic therapeutic systems and brain MPs comprising five academic and four industry partner beneficiaries, consolidated through three academic and two industry-associated partners covering nine countries across Europe and beyond, including one US associated partner. By employing these emerging non-animal technologies (i.e., vascularised brain-on-chip models), the resulting innovative therapeutic systems will benefit from facilitated clinical translation while reducing the high cost and time-consuming aspects of pre-clinical animal studies.

Keywords: engineered drug delivery devices,microfluidics,organ on chip,cerebrovascular diseases