Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Optical and Electrical Phenomena in Topological Semimetals (NonlinearTopo)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — 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: Israel
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2018-COG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2024-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1721706.0
EU funding (EUR): 1721706.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

In the past decade, the band-structure topology and related topological materials have been intensively studied mostly by revealing their unique surface states. The current proposal sets a new paradigm by focusing on nonlinear optical phenomena in topological semimetals (TSMs). I aim to investigate the photocurrent and second-harmonic generation, as well as to discover novel nonlinear effects. The strength of TSMs lies in the fact that the giant Berry curvature in their band-crossing regions (e.g., Weyl points) can strongly boost these nonlinear effects, such as inducing a colossal photocurrent. Current understanding of the photocurrent is based on a model that considers the two-band transition within a Weyl cone. In the field of nonlinear optics, however, it is known that the photocurrent largely comes from three-band virtual transitions. Unfortunately, the nonlinear optics theory cannot be simply applied to TSMs due to the unphysical divergence of the photocurrent at band-crossing points. Therefore, I propose to bring the concept of three-band transitions to TSMs by reformulating the photocurrent theory framework. The new methodology represents the challenging and ground-breaking nature of the current proposal. Beyond the optical excitation, I further propose to explore exotic nonlinear electric and thermoelectric phenomena at the zero-frequency limit. I aim to build up a diagnostic tool that explores the nonlinear phenomena in a vast number of real TSM materials and directly probe the bulk topology by investigating their nonlinear properties. For example, my recent results have exposed a new group of Weyl points in a well-known Weyl semimetal by analysing the photocurrent distribution in its band structure. External perturbations can sensitively modify the TSM band structure, hence tune the induced photocurrent. This controllable photocurrent opens the door for novel device concepts, such as an optoelectronic transistor controlled by an external magnetic field.

Keywords: weyl semimetal,ab initio,berry curvature
DNA-guided self-organized active materials (DNAGAM)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: France,United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-06-01
End date: 2022-04-30
Duration (months): 23.0
Total project cost (EUR): 196708.49
EU funding (EUR): 196707.84
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Programming the autonomous and multiscale structuring of shapeless synthetic soft matter is unknown and conceptually challenging. In stark contrast, a living embryo is highly ordered at all levels – from cells to the entire organism. The ordering is a multistep process, starting from the patterning of biomolecules (morphogens) which later instruct autonomous shape transformations (morphogenesis). Inspired by these natural physicochemical processes, we aim at the preparation of a first-ever synthetic biocompatible material which can be self-organized in a programmable and autonomous manner. The programming will be achieved by an out-of-equilibrium DNA-based chemical network which predictably generates single-stranded DNA morphogens. Combined with diffusion, the concentrations of the morphogen can be patterned with a unique spatiotemporal precision, including travelling waves and stable fronts, which were pioneered by the host group. The autonomy of morphological structuring will be accomplished by linking the mechanical activity of active gels, composed of DNA-kinesins and microtubules, to the presence of the DNA morphogen. Latter will act as a cross-linker creating the clusters of kinesins and thus guiding the self-organization of the soft material by the collective action of nanoscale kinesin motor proteins which exert force on microtubules. Apart from the preparation of a first biocompatible man-made morphogenetic material, we will learn how the self-organization of active gels is dependent on morphogens’ patterns. This knowledge is indispensable for the advanced programming of the precise macroscale shapes at the molecular level of chemical networks, which are diverse and modular. With further developments, our methodology could lead to so far elusive self-fabricated, force-exerting synthetic soft matter with the potential of integration in soft robotics and biological environments.

Keywords: active matter,dna nanotechnology,morphogenesis,soft materials,out of equilibrium systems
Development of novel formulations for improved molybdenum fertilization (DEMOFERTILIZER)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Global Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Australia,Belgium
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-10-01
End date: 2024-06-29
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 272633.28
EU funding (EUR): 272633.28
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

The use of mineral fertilizers in crop production systems is strongly contributing to the competiveness of the agricultural sector as a whole, yet the importance of essential micronutrients, such as molybdenum, is often overlooked. Molybdenum (Mo) is of key importance for plant growth as an essential component of the cofactor for enzymes in the N-metabolism. Mo deficiency in plants is often associated with N deficiency, and can thus have far-reaching consequences in agricultural systems. To overcome Mo deficiency, fertilizer Mo needs to be applied, which typically contain highly water-soluble forms of Mo, e.g. Na2MoO4. In acid Fe/Al-oxide rich soils, the fast release of Mo from soluble forms causes Mo to be quickly sorbed; in sandy soils fast Mo release results in high losses of Mo through leaching. In this project, the use of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) Mo compounds instead of water-soluble Mo compounds will be explored to better match nutrient release with plant demand and reduce Mo fixation and leaching. SRF formulations will be synthesized using different approaches (LDH and mechanochemical synthesis). Feedback between Mo desorption/solubility experiments and material synthesis will optimize the new SRF compounds. The new Mo fertilizer forms will be embedded in different macronutrient carriers, after which batch and column experiment will be performed to characterize the Mo release in an aqueous and a soil system to compare the release with that of soluble Mo fertilizers. Finally, a pot trial will be performed to assess Mo use efficiency and leachability of a new Mo SRF in comparison with soluble Mo fertilizers. Next to this research objective, the applicant will improve his research skills by receiving training in mechano-chemical synthesis, fertilize shaping and fertilizer testing (University of Adelaide), and in modelling and LA-ICP-MS (KU Leuven). The applicant will also gain experience in teaching, project management, dissimilation and communication.
Novel mechanisms of rapid perceptual learning (RapidLearningBrain)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The Human Mind and Its Complexity
Panel description: Cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, theoretical philosophy
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2019-COG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-10-01
End date: 2025-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998375.0
EU funding (EUR): 1998375.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Four decades ago, studies have started pointing to sensory plasticity in the adult visual system, documenting surprising improvements in perception. Such perceptual learning is enabled by repeated practice, inducing use-dependent plasticity in early visual areas and their readouts. But is this the only route, or do other forms of more economic learning exist? My rationale is inspired by two distinct lines of evidence: reducing practice can counteract suppressive processes such as visual adaptation, and frameworks originating from rodent studies showing that reactivation of existing memories can enable their modification. This project aims to challenge the fundamental assumption in perceptual learning that only 'practice makes perfect', hypothesizing that brief reactivations of visual memories induce efficient rapid perceptual learning, mediated by increased interactions between early-visual and high-level regions. The objectives of RapidLearningBrain are: (1) To reveal the neurobehavioural mechanisms by which brief exposure to learned information modulates brain plasticity and supports rapid learning, using psychophysics and fMRI-neuronavigated brain stimulation (TMS), with recent behavioural proof of principle provided by my lab (Nature Neuroscience, 2017). (2) To understand the links to consolidation and sleep dynamics. (3) To identify how these novel mechanisms interact across learning disciplines, using closed-loop TMS-EEG modulating interactions between early-visual and high-level regions. (4) To test the hypothesis that similar inherent mechanisms may also result in maladaptive consequences in other domains, when brief reactivations occur spontaneously as intrusive enhanced memories following negative events. Unravelling the mechanisms of this new form of rapid learning could reshape learning theories across domains, setting the foundations to enhance learning in daily life when beneficial, and to downregulate maladaptive consequences of negative memories.

Keywords: visual perception,perceptual learning
Rapid mass loss of debris covered glaciers in High Mountain Asia (RAVEN)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Earth system science
Panel description: Physical geography, geology, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, climatology, cryology, ecology, global environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, natural resources management
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2017-COG, 2017)
Start date: 2018-05-01
End date: 2024-01-31
Duration (months): 69.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The research proposed uses an integrated data-modelling approach to elucidate the role that debris-covered glaciers play in the water cycle of High Mountain Asia (HMA) and establish how future HMA glacier and runoff will evolve. Debris-covered glaciers are of great significance for the hydrology of HMA, with large contributions to headwater streamflow. Despite this, their mass balance, hydrological role and future changes are poorly constrained, challenging model predictions of future water resources. Debris mantles insulate the ice and reduce ablation, but large-scale research indicates that HMA debris-covered glaciers are losing mass at rates similar to debris-free glaciers. This anomalous behaviour has profound implications for future glacier mass balance and runoff, but has not been reproduced with models, a fundamental limitation to a global assessment. I aim to establish that: 1) supraglacial cliffs and ponds are responsible for higher than expected mass losses of HMA debris-covered glaciers, because they act as windows of energy transfer through the debris; and that 2) their inclusion into models of glacier evolution will provide essential new estimates of glacier changes and future water availability in HMA. RAVEN will achieve these aims through combination of high-resolution satellite observations, field data and physically-based models in four sites along the Himalayan arc. This unprecedented setup captures the variety of climate and glaciers across HMA. Using satellite images I will investigate the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of cliffs and ponds; the insights will be used to develop physically-based models of cliff and pond ablation, which will be included in a glacio-hydrological model. Future glacier and runoff response will be projected using downscaled climate scenarios, allowing new estimates of glacier changes and future runoff for a data-starved region where millions of people depend on the water resources from glaciers and snow.

Keywords: debris covered glaciers,high mountain asia,headwater catchment water resources,supra glacial cliffs and ponds,future glacier changes and runoff projections,physically based ablation models
KGYAT have developed the RVCR, the world’s first commercially viable Rotary Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) engine. (RVCR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2016-06-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

KGYAT have developed RVCR, the world’s first commercially viable Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) engine. KGYAT’s proprietary RVCR (Rotary Variable Compression Ratio) engine technology combines into one high-tech powertrain the specific output and performance advantages of rotary motors and the thermal efficiency gains from VCRs. This enables the RVCR engine to eliminate the complexities in conventional crank mechanism-based VCRs and offer the advantages of; multiple fuel flexibility, efficiency gains by 30%, lower emissions, and reduced cost, making it the world’s first commercially viable VCR engine. This disruptive, highly efficient fuel-flexible "RVCR engine will enable a smooth transition from 20th century fossil fuel dependency to 21st century green fuels without disrupting the existing fossil-fuel based economic structures. RVCR has been prototyped within a laboratory environment, however KGYAT is now looking to gain funding to: demonstrate and validate the performance of a 75kW RVCR engine on a test bed for product qualification; and industrialisation of the RVCR engine with an engine manufacturer, including a design for manufacturing and assembly and the optimisation of costs, demonstrating viability of high volume production. Due to RVCR’s robustness and efficiency it is a perfect solution to reduce emissions and fuel consumption of passenger cars.

Keywords: engine technology,sustainable transport,reduced emissions,improved efficiency
The first holistic restaurant forecasting tool to reduce food waste by predicting future demand (Prognolite)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2019)
Start date: 2019-05-01
End date: 2019-08-31
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Prognolite GmbH is a Swiss SME that is using artificial intelligence to combat the €20 billion food waste crisis within the restaurant sector. Through Prognolite software, restaurants can reduce food waste by up to 50% by accurately predicting food demand. The software has already caught the eye of six renowned Swiss and German multi-unit restaurants (including an international chain), testing it in 12 of their restaurants, reporting reduced food costs by up to 6%, and staff costs by 5-15%. 10.5 million tonnes of edible food is wasted each year by EU restaurants, primarily due to the difficulty of estimating the exact food demand. This complexity of accurately forecasting sales is causing restaurants to (i) dispose to waste over 10% of the purchased food and (ii) reduce efficiency of staff planning, resulting in poor customer service and unnecessary high staff costs. Traditional methods of demand forecasting of manually analysing historical data are inaccurate, highly dependent on staff experience and time consuming. The few digital solutions that exist fail to, within one software, optimise the two cost centres (food and wages) that gobble 80% of restaurateurs’ costs and often unaffordable to many. Moreover, most of these solutions are designed by Point-of-Sale (POS) systems providers and are only compatible with their own POS who cannot scale in an EU and global market where there are numerous POS systems. As such, we have a unique advantage within the burgeoning €2.64tn global restaurant/food service market that has >2.5mn restaurants (EU & US only). With a product that enables restaurants to save, within a month, up to 8x what they would have paid us and widest POS compatibility (>80% of EU & US), we seek to be the global leader in demand forecasting solutions for the restaurant sector. We have estimated that we will need an additional investment of €1.3 million to achieve that and bring our product to the market.
Fuel Cell Hybrid PowerPack for Rail Applications (FCH2RAIL)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
Action type: Innovation actions
Partnership: FCH2 (Art-187)
Countries involved: Spain,Germany,Germany,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Germany,Belgium,Portugal
Call: Extending the use cases for FC trains through innovative designs and streamlined administrative framework (H2020-JTI-FCH-2020-1, 2020)
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2024-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 13378484.93
EU funding (EUR): 9999999.12
Participants: 15
Project status: SIGNED

The main objective of the FCH2RAIL project is to develop, build, test, demonstrate and homologate a scalable, modular and multi-purpose Fuel Cell Hybrid PowerPack (FCHPP) applicable for different rail applications (multiple unit, mainline and shunting locomotives) also suitable to for retrofit existing electric and diesel trains, to reach TRL7. The project will start with a multi-country, multi railway-use-case analysis in order to derive requirements for the design, implementation and test of the FCHPP. Based on that the FCHPP will be designed and demonstrated in a retrofitted Bi-mode multiple unit that draws electricity from the catenary while operating on electrified sections and uses the FCH system as power source on non-electrified sections supported by an innovative train wide energy management system to minimise the energy and power consumption. In order to improve the energy efficiency of FCH traction systems, innovative on-board solutions are identified and benchmarked. The train demonstrator tests will be carried out cross-border in Portugal and Spain and homologation will be seeked for three EU countries. A systematic screening of H2 and rail related EU-wide normative and standard frameworks concerning gaps related to an EU-wide implementation of FCH Bi-mode trains will be carried out. These activities, closely interconnected to the design, testing and homologation of the FCHPP demonstrator train activities, will result in the proposition of changes to and active involvement in standardization and norming workgroups. An important aim of the FCH2RAIL project is to demonstrate the competitiveness of FCH against diesel trains. Therefore, project related KPI are collected and implemented to a LCC model which is applied to different rail sectors deriving cost reduction potentials. Dissemination will comprise the demonstration of the FCHPP and the train demonstrator complemented by intensive communication and publication activities.

Keywords: fuel cell,rail applications,prototype demonstration,standardisation
International, Interdisciplinary and Intersectoral Information and Communications Technology PhD Programme (3-i ICT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (COFUND)-Doctoral programmes
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (H2020-MSCA-COFUND-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-01-01
End date: 2026-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1301760.0
EU funding (EUR): 650880.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The Centre for Information and Communications Technology Research (CITIC) of the Universidade da Coruña (UDC) is a unique research centre for the promotion of R&D&I excellence in ICT. One of its main aims is to offer specialised technical, research and transferable skills training to early-stage researchers (ESR), including PhD programme studies. 3-i ICT is an innovative new international PhD programme, offering eight fellowship grants to ESRs to carry out their PhD studies at CITIC. The programme will run over 60 months and will include two international calls. Contracts will have a duration of 36 months. The programme will provide ESRs with unique opportunities for basic and applied interdisciplinary research, training and career development. To ensure the 3-i dimension of the fellowship, the programme will include secondments in non-academic partner institutions in Spain and in other countries. To ensure the interdisciplinary nature of the programme, each thesis will have one supervisor from the field of ICT and one from a different academic discipline. The programme will enhance fellows’ career prospects by improving and diversifying their employability skills. They will come away from the programme with a PhD degree and comprehensive complementary training in research and transferable skills. This training will give them a solid competitive advantage in their future careers in both academic and non-academic sectors. 3-i ICT will place CITIC at the forefront of research and innovation in the field of ICT. Institutionally, CITIC is already the leading ICT centre in Galicia, but 3-i ICT will position it as a hub for new research talent in the Galicia-North of Portugal Euroregion. The programme will represent a substantive leap towards accomplishing the goals of the R&I Smart Specialisation Strategy for Galicia (RIS3) and the cross-border R&I Smart Specialisation Strategy of Galicia-Northern Portugal (RIS3T).

Keywords: interdisciplinary,intersectoral,international,cross sectoral,cross disciplinary,talent,phd programme,employability,excellence,innovation,industry,sustainability,training,skills