Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Translating adaptive microscopes to the clinic for tissue analysis during surgery (ClinAO)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2018-PoC, 2018)
Start date: 2018-09-01
End date: 2020-02-29
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 149850.0
EU funding (EUR): 149850.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Optical microscopes are one of the key tools that that guide a surgeon during the most complicated surgeries and provide the necessary feedback. State-of-the-art confocal laser scanning microscopes and endoscopes provide the most reliable images for diagnostic purposes. However, they are not yet capable enough to be used intraoperatively for high-resolution fluorescence imaging in some of the most complicated surgeries. Ideally, the surgeon needs to see the tissue in three dimensions at cellular resolution. In principle, such images can be generated by a confocal fluorescence microscope, but a key obstacle limiting new applications is that these microscopes are prone to the detrimental effects of aberrations. This means that only the upper layers of cells can be seen clearly. We propose a new technology for surgical microscopes that will use adaptive optics to correct for problematic tissue-induced aberrations. Aberration correction will enable deeper penetration with reduced imaging times that are required for real time feedback and sharper cellular level images with better contrast. Adaptive optics has already enabled aberration correction in research microscopes, however such technology is not yet available for use in the clinic. We propose to develop new generation of adaptive optical confocal fluorescence microscopes and endoscopes for intraoperative use in the clinic. The proposed microscope will enable more effective removal of abnormal tissues and reduced surgery times. The resulting shorter and more successful surgery will have manifold benefits to health and quality of life, not to mention economic savings. The new prototype microscopes will form the basis of future commercial development to disseminate this technology widely.

Keywords: microscopy,optics,adaptive optics,surgery
STRUCTURING TOWARDS ZERO EMISSION WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (STEERER)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Italy,Austria,Germany,Belgium,Belgium,Netherlands,Portugal
Call: Structuring R&I towards zero emission waterborne transport (H2020-MG-2019-SingleStage-INEA, 2019)
Start date: 2019-12-01
End date: 2022-11-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1498687.5
EU funding (EUR): 1498687.5
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

STEERER will coordinate the establishment and communication of a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and an Implementation Plan towards zero-emission waterborne transport, in cooperation with all key stakeholders needed to facilitate the transformation to clean waterborne transport (the STEERER project will provide input to the Waterborne TP regarding the development and update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Candidate Co-Programmed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport in the framework of Horizon Europe). The project will develop and execute an effective communication strategy, to not only raise awareness to the key stakeholders of the waterborne transport sector as such, but by raising awareness of citizens regarding the strategic importance of the sector and the commitment of the sector to mitigate climate change and contribute to a healthy living environment. The consortium will function as a Secretariat, where the broader expertise is involved in the Scientific Committee and the Green Shipping Expert Group to be established by the project. STEERER is geared towards reaching its expected impacts during the project lifetime. STEERER will focus on: - Jointly setting emission targets towards 2050 (including targets for 2025 and 2030); - Contributing to the update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Co-Programmed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport (cPP ZEWT) in the framework of Horizon Europe, to be able to reach these targets in time; - Developing an Implementation Plan to reach the targets in due course, while staying competitive and offering a valid business case; - Developing and implementing a communication campaign, aimed at broader awareness of the waterborne transport sector and its commitment towards zero-emission transport. STEERER will focus on massive transition of both the existing fleet as well as the new-built fleet towards zero-emission performance in 2050, while respecting the need for sound business cases for ship-owners and operators. STEERER will concentrate on a selection of the most promising solutions per segment of the waterborne transport sector and tackle barriers to their further development and deployment of innovation.

Keywords: zero emission strategies,research and innovation,implementation and committment,maritime and inland shipping
FITOSTINGER: PEST CONTROL DRONE (FitoStinger)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Spain
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2019)
Start date: 2019-08-01
End date: 2020-01-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

At FitoStinger S.L. we have combined the recent advances in artificial intelligence and drone technology to create an innovative solution for the pest control industry, specifically targeting the problem of Pine Processionary Caterpillars (PPC), which is an increasingly common and hazardous pest found in pine trees across the Mediterranean arch, with global warming increasing its reach. In trees PCC causes severe defoliation waekening the tree making it more susceptible to drought, fungus, forest fires etc. For people it is especially harmful due to the caterpillars urticating’s hairs which disperse through the air causing serious skin injuries, even triggering anaphylaxis in sensitive people. They can also cause various injuries to animals, by causing their tongue, oesophagus and stomach swell, which can lead to death. The hairs cause necrosis on the animal’s tongue and some lose almost all their tongue. FitoStinger’s innovative method uses automated drones equipped with artificial vision and a specially designed and patented lance that allows the pesticide to be injected directly into the nest without affecting the surrounding area. Our method is fast, effective and environmentally friendly, unlike current state-of-the-art methods that spray the entire tree with pesticides, which is harmful to other species living in the tree as well as the humans in the area. We are currently at TRL 7 with a semiautomated system. Once the project is completed the drone will be fully automated which will allow us to perform the treatment in half the time and increase the treatable area, potentially deploying a small fleet of drones for large parks and forested areas. We estimate a TAM of 4,287M trees and SAM of around 1,205M infected trees. 5 years after commercialization a cum. EBITDA over €7M, an IRR of 40%, NPV of €3.5M and WACC of 10%, with 21 new employees. We also plan to expand our technology to target other pests such as Oak Processionary Caterpillars and Asian Hornets.

Keywords: drone,pest control,pine processionary caterpillar,environmental protection,phytosanitary industries
Organic Rankine Cycle - Prototype Link to Unit Storage (ORC-PLUS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Theme: Low-cost, low-carbon energy supply
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Germany,Spain,Italy,Italy,France,Morocco
Call: Demonstration of renewable electricity and heating/cooling technologies (H2020-LCE-2014-2, 2014)
Start date: 2015-05-01
End date: 2019-10-31
Duration (months): 54.0
Total project cost (EUR): 7297148.75
EU funding (EUR): 6249316.25
Participants: 9
Project status: CLOSED

In line with the call H2020- LCE-03-2014, ORC-PLUS focuses on increasing the technological performance of renewable energy systems, reducing costs and improving dispatchability. The aim is to develop an optimized combination of innovative Thermal Energy Storage-TES (specialized for CSP scale 1-5 MWe) and engineering solutions to improve the number of production hours of an existing small CSP plant, located in a desert area and coupled with an ORC system. With an optimized TES solution, it is possible to extend periods of energy production of a CSP plant (also during non-solar radiation), eliminating or minimizing the need to burn fossil or renewable fuels in hybrid or back-up systems. Nowadays, efforts are being devoted to R&D on TES for large-scale plants, though large potential for small/medium-scale CSP installations exists. ORC-PLUS is in the spectrum of “large scale prototype to pre-commercial scale demonstration”. The technology proposed is based on a solar field, using a thermal oil as Heat Transfer Fluid and ORC power unit coupled with an innovative TES. Experimental demonstration of two different industrial prototypes of TES systems will be performed in relevant environment (TRL 6). For each prototype, a simulation model of the pilot processes will be developed, with prototypes of TES systems. The models will be optimized on the basis of the characteristics of the site and power load, to determine conditions and relevant parameters of the real scenarios for each application and to select the TES technology best fitting the needs of the targeted sector. Final result will be an industrial pilot plant used to validate the technology in a real operational environment and to demonstrate its feasibility (TLR7). Validation includes an analysis of the techno-economic viability and environmental impact, and of the replicability of the pilot plant final design. This proposal is supported by three support letters of ESTELA, ANEST and Green Energy Park (Morocco).

Keywords: organic rankine cycle,thermal storage,linear fresnel collector,molten salt
High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster - Next Generation 2 (HEMPT-NG2)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Space
Theme: Enabling advances in space technology
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Germany,Italy,Germany,Belgium,United Kingdom
Call: SRC - In-space electrical propulsion and station keeping - Incremental technologies (H2020-SPACE-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2023-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5630713.75
EU funding (EUR): 3998499.6399999997
Participants: 7
Project status: SIGNED

The objective of the HEMPT-NG2 consortium is to continue to develop, simulate, build and qualify the High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster – Next Generation (HEMPT-NG2) system, with the application to operate a LEO-Thruster for use of station keeping, orbit raising and orbit manoeuvring of satellites in constellations. The HEMPT-NG2 project will contribute to increase the competitiveness of space electrical propulsion systems developed in Europe by developing an integrated solution based on the HEMPT (Highly Efficient Multistage Plasma Thruster) technology for the different LEO satellites. This project will increase the capacity to compete within a worldwide market in term of cost, performances and production capacity. The availability of such competitive electrical propulsion system is a key to the success of the European space sector and the emerging space applications. HEMPT-NG will also reduce dependency to foreign supplier to ensure an independent access to space in Europe. So the interest of the whole consortium (Aerospazio Tecnologie SARL, ASP & Space GmbH, University Greiswald, Thales Alenia Space Belgium, Thales Alenia Space UK and Thales Germany) is to increase the competitiveness of space electrical propulsion systems developed in Europe by developing an integrated solution based on the HEMPT technology for the LEO satellites. The HEMPT technology has significant advantages compared to the other electrical propulsion technologies that are currently available (Hall effect thrusters and Grid ion thrusters). The lower mass and the ability to choose between high thrust and low propellant consumption operations will allow lighter or more powerful satellites. Low erosion will significantly improve the life duration of the thrusters. And finally the replacement of the xenon by the krypton that is more common in the atmosphere will lower the economic and ecological cost for satellite propellant.

Keywords: european non dependence,alternative propellants,green propellants,dual mode operation,magnetic plasma confinement,plasma diagnostic,plasma modelling,high lifetime
Getting at the Heart of Things: Towards Expressivity-aware Computer Systems in Music (Con Espressione)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Panel description: Informatics and information systems, computer science, scientific computing, intelligent systems
Countries involved: Austria,Austria
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2014-ADG, 2014)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2021-12-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2318750.0
EU funding (EUR): 1605375.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

What makes music so important, what can make a performance so special and stirring? It is the things the music expresses, the emotions it induces, the associations it evokes, the drama and characters it portrays. The sources of this expressivity are manifold: the music itself, its structure, orchestration, personal associations, social settings, but also – and very importantly – the act of performance, the interpretation and expressive intentions made explicit by the musicians through nuances in timing, dynamics etc. Thanks to research in fields like Music Information Research (MIR), computers can do many useful things with music, from beat and rhythm detection to song identification and tracking. However, they are still far from grasping the essence of music: they cannot tell whether a performance expresses playfulness or ennui, solemnity or gaiety, determination or uncertainty; they cannot produce music with a desired expressive quality; they cannot interact with human musicians in a truly musical way, recognising and responding to the expressive intentions implied in their playing. The project is about developing machines that are aware of certain dimensions of expressivity, specifically in the domain of (classical) music, where expressivity is both essential and – at least as far as it relates to the act of performance – can be traced back to well-defined and measurable parametric dimensions (such as timing, dynamics, articulation). We will develop systems that can recognise, characterise, search music by expressive aspects, generate, modify, and react to expressive qualities in music. To do so, we will (1) bring together the fields of AI, Machine Learning, MIR and Music Performance Research; (2) integrate theories from Musicology to build more well-founded models of music understanding; (3) support model learning and validation with massive musical corpora of a size and quality unprecedented in computational music research.

Keywords: music information retrieval,reseach mir,music performance research,musical informatics
Structural and functional insights into the assembly of respiratory complexes by a novel putative chaperone (RespViRALI)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: France
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2019-07-01
End date: 2021-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173076.0
EU funding (EUR): 173076.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cellular respiratory complexes play a central role in the production of ATP, the universal energy source of life. Defects in their activity are linked to neurodegenerative diseases in humans and antibiotics resistance in bacteria. Despite their capital importance, the assembly mechanisms of respiratory complexes remain highly unexplored. This research project aims to investigate how the assembly of the major bacterial respiratory Complex I is assisted by a multi protein system involved in enterobacterial stress response. The host team recently solved the structures of two components of this system with cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and X-ray crystallography, and showed that they form a huge cage-like assembly reminiscent of the GroEL-ES chaperone. Importantly, the latest scientific literature reported physical interactions between this macromolecular assembly and specific subunits of E. coli respiratory complexes. To elucidate the functional role of this enigmatic machine in the assembly of Complex I, I will employ a highly integrated approach situated at the front line of molecular structural biology. A wide range of biophysical methods will be used to dissect the affinity and kinetics of individual interactions between components of this multi protein system and subunits of Complex I. I will examine the overall architecture of the formed complexes with negative stain electron microscopy and small-angle X-Ray/Neutron scattering, while atomic resolution insights of the complexes will be provided by high resolution single particle cryoEM and X-ray crystallography. The structures and functional insights obtained in the proposed project will improve our general understanding of coordination between protein folding and assembly of respiratory complexes, and bring novel insights into their implication in antibiotics resistance and pathways of bacterial stress responses, which are crucial to developing strategies for controlling infection.

Keywords: respiratory complexes,chaperone,macromolecular machine,protein assembly,x ray crystallography,electron microscopy,bacteria,antibiotics resistance
Single molecule bio-electronic smart system array for clinical testing (SiMBiT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Information and Communication Technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Italy,Italy,Italy,Italy,Finland,France,Netherlands,United Kingdom
Call: Electronic Smart Systems (ESS) (H2020-ICT-2018-2, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2022-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3020638.75
EU funding (EUR): 3020638.75
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

Digitizing biomarkers analysis by quantifying them at the single-molecule level is the new frontier for advancing the science of precision health. The SiMBiT project will develop a bio-electronic smart system leveraging on an existing lab-based proof-of-concept that can perform single-molecule detection of both proteins and DNA bio-markers. Specifically, the SiMBiT activities will develop the lab-based device into a cost-effective portable multiplexing array prototype that integrates, with a modular approach, novel materials and standard components/interfaces. The SiMBiT platform exhibits enhanced sensing capabilities: specificity towards both genomic and protein markers along with single-molecule detection limits and time-to-results within two hours. This makes the SiMBiT prototype the world best performing bio-electronic sensing system ever. SiMBiT will reach these ambitious goals with a multidisciplinary research effort involving device-physicists, analytical-chemists, bio-chemists, clinicians, electronic- and system-engineers. The platform is also single-use and cost-effective and can work in low-resource settings. The SiMBiT field-effect sensing system will be fabricated by means of future mass-manufacturable, large-area compatible, scalable techniques such as printing and other direct-writing processes. 3D printing of a module is also foreseen. The SiMBiT prototype will demonstrate, for first time, a matrix of up to 96 bio-electronic sensors and a Si IC chip for the processing of all data coming from the matrix, multiplexing single-molecule detection. As the Si IC pins are limited the chip area is reduced and its cost minimized, enabling a single-use assay plate. SiMBiT will apply the multiplexing single molecule technology to the early detection of human pancreatic neoplasms in a well-defined clinical context, performing simultaneous analysis of genomic and protein markers with a minimal sample volume, reduced costs and reduced time-to-results.

Keywords: sensing bio electronic array,electrolyte gated tft,printable organic electronics,field effect transistor sensors,point of care,clinical diagnostics,single molecule detection
INTEGRAL WATER SANITATION SYSTEM (OX-SIHA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Climate action, environment,  resource efficiency and raw materials
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Boosting the potential of small businesses for eco-innovation and a sustainable supply of raw materials (H2020-SMEINST-2-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-07-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 27.0
Total project cost (EUR): 810181.25
EU funding (EUR): 567126.88
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Waterborne bacteria are an extremely dangerous source of infection. Water of poor quality can cause disease outbreaks (80% of gastrointestinal infectious and parasitic diseases and a third of the deaths caused by those infections, are due to the use and consumption of contaminated water) and affects human health in two ways: • Direct consumption (drinking and inhaling) • Indirect, by contaminating production, industrial and public service sectors Water is used in many different facilities (cattle trough, refrigeration towers, food industry…) and different treatments (physical, chemical and biological) are used to remove bacteria and clean the water. However, there is a lack in the performance of these methods, because controlling of bacteria is not enough. Studies have demonstrated that amoebae can also be found in water, a protozoa that can be host of bacteria and capable of colonising water networks, which represents a terrible health risk, causing important economic losses to companies and administrations, and even human deaths. The general objective of the project is to commercialise a water sanitation system (OX-SIHA) that guarantees the total disinfection of water. The system will be comprised of: • In-situ sampling system to detect amoebae in water environments by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. • A biocidal formulate, capable of eliminating all pathogenic microorganisms in any kind of waters. • A joint biocidal-catalyst system, permitting a total absence of toxic by-products, making the formula environmentally friendly. • An automatic remote water management system, a software that will manage data processing, statistics analysis, product dosage and alerts. • An accurate biocidal dosage system. OX-SIHA offers the possibility of being commercialised by modules that will ease its uptake by the end users, as the system is designed to be adapted to the needs and business size of any client.

Keywords: water,amoeba,ox siha,integral disinfection,feasible,animal health,aquaculture,energy sector,food industry,public health,acanthamoeba,sampling,polymerase chain reaction