Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Holomorphic Evolution Equations (HEVO)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Mathematical foundations
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2016-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 700000.0
EU funding (EUR): 700000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The scope of this project is to study holomorphic evolution equations and the associated dynamical systems, both from the local and the global point of view. In particular we aim to study general Loewner equations (both autonomous and non-autonomous) and applications to dynamical systems, in one and several complex variables. In one variable we plan to develop a general version of SLE's for non-slit evolutions and apply to physical and others problems. In several variables we plan to develop the general theory, together with applications.

Keywords: loewner's theory,complex analysis
The interplay between quantum coherence and environment in the photosynthetic electronic energy transfer and light-harvesting: a quantum chemical picture (ENLIGHT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2016-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1300000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1300000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Photon energy absorption and electronic energy transfer (EET) represents the first fundamental step in both natural and artificial light-harvesting systems. The most striking example is photosynthesis, in which plants, algae and bacteria are able to transfer the absorbed light to the reaction centers in proteins with almost 100% quantum efficiency. Recent two-dimensional spectroscopic measurements suggest that the role of the environment (a protein or a given embedding supramolecular architecture) is fundamental in determining both the dynamics and the efficiency of the process. What is still missing in order to fully understand and characterize EET is a new theoretical and computational approach which can reproduce the microscopic dynamics of the process based on an accurate description of the playing actors, i.e. the transferring pigments and the environment. Such an approach is a formidable challenge due to the large network of interactions which couples all the parts and makes the dynamics of the process a complex competition of random fluctuations and coherences. Only a strategy based upon an integration of computational models with different length and time scales can achieve the required completeness of the description. This project aims at achieving such an integration by developing completely new theoretical and computational tools based on the merging of quantum mechanical methods, polarizable force fields and dielectric continuum models. Such a strategy in which the fundamental effects of polarization between the pigments and the environment will be accounted for in a dynamically coupled way will allow to simulate the full dynamic process of light harvesting and energy transfer in complex multichromophoric supramolecular systems.

Keywords: excitation energy transfer,photosynthetic proteins,quantum coherence,quantum chemistry
Sampling and Reconstruction driven by Sparsity Models with Applications in Sensor Networks and Neuroscience (RECOSAMP)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2016-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1451162.0
EU funding (EUR): 1451162.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The problem of reconstructing or estimating partially observed or sampled signals is animportant one that finds application in many areas of signal processing and communications. Traditional acquisition and reconstruction approaches are heavily influences by classical Shannon sampling theory which gives an exact sampling and interpolation formula for bandlimited signals. Recently, the emerging theory of sparse sampling has challenged the way we think about signal acquisition and has demonstrated that, by using more sophisticated signal models, it is possible to break away from the need to sample signals at the Nyquist rate. The insight that sub-Nyquist sampling can, under some circumstances, allow perfect reconstruction is revolutionizing signal processing, communications and inverse problems. Given the ubiquity of the sampling process, the implications of these new research developments are far reaching. This project is based on the applicant's recent work on the sampling of sparse continuous-time signals and aims to extend the existing theory to include more general signal models that are closer to the physical characteristics of real data, to explore new domains where sparsity and sampling can be effectively used and to provide a set of new fast algorithms with clear and predictable performance. As part of this work, he will also consider timely important problems such as the localization of diffusive sources in sensor networks and the analysis of neuronal signals of the brain. He will, for the first time, pose these as sparse sampling problems and in this way he expects to develop technologies with a step change in performance.

Keywords: sampling theory,wavelet theory,splines
Magnetic connectivity through the Solar Partially Ionized Atmosphere (SPIA)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Universe sciences
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 969600.0
EU funding (EUR): 969600.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The broad scientific objective of the SPIA proposal is to understand the magnetism of the Sun and stars and to establish connections between the magnetic activity in sub-surface layers and its manifestation in the outer atmosphere. The complex interactions in magnetized stellar plasmas are best studied via numerical simulations, a new powerful method of research that appeared in astrophysics with the development of large supercomputer facilities. With a coming era of large aperture solar telescopes, ATST and EST, spectropolarimetric observations of the Sun will become available at extraordinary high spatial and temporal resolutions. New modelling tools are required to understand the plasma behaviour at these scales. I propose to consolidate a research group of bright scientists around the PI to explore a novel promising approach for the description solar atmospheric plasma under multi-fluid approximation. The degree of plasma ionization in the photosphere and chromosphere of the Sun is extremely low and significant deviations from the classical magneto-hydrodynamic description are expected. A major development of the SPIA proposal will be the implementation of a multi-fluid plasma description, appropriate for a partially ionized medium, relaxing approximations of classical magneto-hydrodynamics. With the inclusion of standard radiative transfer into the three-dimensional multi-fluid code to be developed by the project team, it will be possible to perform simulations of solar sub-photospheric and photospheric regions, up to the low chromosphere, with a realism not achieved before. The importance of the non-ideal plasma effect for the energy balance of the solar chromosphere will be evaluated, and three-dimensional time-dependent models of multi-fluid magneto-convection will be created. This effort will produce a significant step toward the solution of the long-standing question of the origin of solar chromosphere, one of the most poorly understood regions of the Sun.

Keywords: sun: atmosphere,photosphere,chromosphere,magnetic fields,waves,methods: plasma physics,numerical simulations,radiative transfer
Chasing a Fundamental Challenge in Catalysis: A Combined Cleavage of Carbon-Carbon Bonds and Carbon Dioxide for Preparing Functionalized Molecules (FUNCBONDS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-12-01
End date: 2016-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1423800.0
EU funding (EUR): 1423800.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

FunCBonds offers a novel perspective to relevant scientific synthetic problems via a synergistic dual catalytic activation of carbon-carbon bonds and CO2, a topic of major interest not only for basic research science but also from an industrial and social point of view. As the use of alternative feedstocks such as CO2 is still one of the most fundamental gaps in catalytic technologies, I believe that FunCBonds project provides an alternative vision and strategy for the preparation of pharmaceutically relevant carboxylic acid derivatives using inexpensive raw materials in a catalytic fashion. In contrast to the well-established methodology based on carbon-carbon bond formation using either ruthenium or palladium catalysts (recently awarded with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2005 and 2010, respectively), the main challenge of this project is the discovery of a non-expensive and non-toxic catalyst that allows the cleavage of C-C bonds and CO2 following the principles of the atom economy. FunCBonds will meet these challenges by offering an innovative approach that will unlock the potential of a combined functionalization of inert C-C and C-O bonds. The project will provide the necessary understanding behind the factors influencing both C-C bond cleavage and the subsequent CO2 insertion event, thus opening up new horizons in preparative organic chemistry as well as offering solutions to a social and industrial problem such as the use of CO2 as chemical feedstock.

Keywords: carbon dioxide,homogeneous catalysis,activation inert bonds,c-c bonds,atom economy,metal-catalyzed reactions,lactones,carboxylic acids
A quantum dot in a cavity: A solid state platform for quantum operations (QD-CQED)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2016-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1482000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1482000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A quantum dot (QD) in a microcavity is an ideal single spin-single photon interface: the spin of a carrier trapped inside a QD can be used as a quantum bit and the coupling to photons can allow remote spin entanglement. A QD in a cavity can also generate single photons or entangled photon pairs, often referred to as flying quantum bit. Controlling the QD spontaneous emission is crucial to ensure optimal coupling of the photon and spin states. The present project relies on a unique and original technology we have developed which allows us to deterministically control the QD-cavity system. With this technique, we can fabricate a large number of identical coupled QD-cavity devices operating either in the weak or strong coupling regime. The potential of the technique has been proven by the fabrication of the brightest source of entangled photon pairs to date (Nature 2010). The objective of the present project is to build up a platform for basic quantum operations using QDs in cavities. The first aim is to develop highly efficient light emitting devices emitting indistinguishable single photons and entangled photon pairs. The mechanisms leading to quantum decoherence in QD based sources will be investigated. We will also explore a new generation of devices where QDs are coupled to plasmonic nano-antenna. The second objective is to implement basic quantum operations ranging from entanglement purification to quantum teleportation using QD based sources. The third objective of the project is to control the spin-photon interface. We first aim at demonstrating quantum non-demolition spin measurement through highly sensitive off-resonant Faraday rotation. We then aim at entangling two spins separated by macroscopic distances, using their controlled interaction with photons. This will be obtained either by making a single photon interact with two spin in cavities or by interfering indistinguishable photons emitted by two independent charged QDs.

Keywords: semiconductor quantum dots,microcavities,nanofabrication,quantum light emitting diode,cavity quantum electrodynamics,entangled photon pairs,quantum coherence,single spin manipulation
Innovative fabrication routes and materials for METal and anode supported PROton conducting fuel CELLs (METPROCELL)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1)
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
Action type: Collaborative project
Partnership: FCH (Art-185)
Countries involved: Spain,Germany,France,Denmark,Norway,Sweden,France
Call:  (FCH-JU-2010-1, 2010)
Start date: 2011-12-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3447874.39
EU funding (EUR): 1822255.0
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

PCFC is one of the most promising technologies to reach the requirements related to cogeneration application, especially for small power systems (1-5 kWel). The investigation in the concept of advanced thin-film ceramic fuel cell technology at operating intermediate temperature between 400 and 700 °C aims at improving the characteristics (thermal cycling, heat transfer, current collection,.) as well as lowering drastically the costs of the system. The aim of METPROCELL is to develop innovative Proton Conducting Fuel Cells (PCFCs) by using new electrolytes and electrode materials and implementing cost effective fabrication routes based on both conventional wet chemical routes and thermal spray technologies. Following a complementary approach, the cell architecture will be optimised on both metal and anode type supports, with the aim of improving the performance, durability and cost effectiveness of the cells. Specific objectives: - Development of novel electrolyte (e.g. BTi02, BCY10/BCY10) and electrode materials (e.g. NiO-BIT02 and NiO-BCY10/BCY10 anodes) with enhanced properties for improved proton conducting fuel cells dedicated to 500-600°C. - Development of alternative manufacturing routes using cost effective thermal spray technologies such detonation spraying (electrolytes and protective coatings on interconnects) and plasma spraying (anode). - Development of innovative proton conducting fuel cell configurations to be constructed on the basis of both metal supported and anode supported cell designs. - To up-scale the manufacturing procedures based on both conventional wet chemical methods and thermal spraying for the production of flat Stack Cells with a footprint of 12 x 12 cm. - Bring the proof of concept of these novel PCFCs by the set-up and validation of prototype like stacks in two relevant industrial systems, namely APU and gas/micro CHP.

Keywords: proton conducting,pcfc,metal support,anode support,intermediate temperature range,flat cells,apu,micro-chp.
Activation of Hydrogen by Organic Frustrated Lewis Pairs. Applications in catalysis (FRUSTRATED HYDROGEN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: Germany,Germany
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2017-05-31
Duration (months): 68.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Activation of H2 is typically a domain of transition metal catalysis -even nature uses metal-centred reactions for this process. However, very recently Stephan and Erker have described metal free systems able to activate dihydrogen by the use of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLP), a combination of sterically hindered Lewis acids and Lewis bases that for this geometric reason are not able to quench each other. Moreover they were able to apply these systems for the reduction of some imines using H2 directly instead of any organic surrogate. Although this process is quite interesting, its applicability is nevertheless quite limited. Only silylenol ethers and very bulky imines can be satisfactorily reduced, non-encumbered ones simply react directly with B(C6F5)3, the ubiquitous Lewis acid used to form FLPs. To circumvent this obvious drawback I propose a new approach consisting in the use of completely organic molecules such as electron-poor allenes, alkenes, iminium salts and ketones as attractive alternatives to B(C6F5)3. The development of a totally organic FLP able to activate H2 reversibly goes far beyond the state-of-the-art as it is expected to allow the reduction of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom double bonds without the use of any metal and employing directly H2. This wide-ranging extension of the FLP reactivity will clearly surpass classical metal catalysis in environmental issues as no noble metal will be necessary. Also, organocatalytic reductions will be outstripped in atom economy criteria as H2 and no heavier surrogate will be used as reducing agent.

Keywords: metal free hydrogenations,organic frustrated lewis pairs,hydrogen activation,organocatalysis
Complex Media Investigation with Adaptive Optics (COMEDIA)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2016-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1497000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1497000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Wave propagation in complex (disordered) media stretches our knowledge to the limit in many different fields of physics. It has important applications in seismology, acoustics, radar, and condensed matter. It is a problem of large fundamental interest, notably for the study of Anderson localization. In optics, it is of great importance in photonic devices, such as photonic crystals, plasmonic structures or random lasers. It is also at the heart of many biomedical-imaging issues: scattering ultimately limits the depth and resolution of all imaging techniques. We have recently demonstrated that wavefront shaping –i.e. adaptive optics applied to complex media- is the tool of choice to match and address the huge complexity of this problem in optics. The COMEDIA project aims at developing a novel wavefront shaping toolbox, addressing both spatial and spectral degrees of freedom of light. Thanks to this toolbox, we plan to fulfill the following objectives: 1) A full spatiotemporal control of the optical field in a complex environment, 2) Breakthrough results in imaging and nano-optics, 3) Original answers to some of the most intriguing fundamental questions in mesoscopic physics.

Keywords: adaptive optics,wavefront shaping,microscopy,imaging,coherent control,nano-optics,photonics
Improved Durability and Cost-effective Components for New Generation Solid Polymer Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DURAMET)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1)
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
Action type: Collaborative project
Partnership: FCH (Art-185)
Countries involved: Italy,France,Germany,Italy,Germany,Denmark,France,European organisations area
Call:  (FCH-JU-2010-1, 2010)
Start date: 2011-12-01
End date: 2014-11-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2956874.0
EU funding (EUR): 1496617.0
Participants: 9
Project status: CLOSED

The main objective of the DURAMET project is to develop cost-effective components for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) with enhanced activity and stability in order to reduce stack costs and improve performance and durability. The project concerns with the development of DMFCs for application in auxiliary power units (APU) as well as for portable systems. The target temperature for DMFCs in APU applications is 120-130 °C. To overcome the methanol cross-over and dehydration problems of perfluorosulphonic membranes, such as Nafion, or the slow start-up and electrolyte leaching in hot methanol solution of phosphoric acid-doped polybenzoimidazole membranes, the efforts for APU applications will be focused on new polyphosphonic acid functionalised polymers. Cost-effective sulphonated polysulfone hydrocarbon membranes with better resistance than Nafion to methanol cross-over as well as to the drag of Ru ions will be developed for portable applications. For both applications improved durability electro-catalysts will be developed with the aim to reduce costs, degradation and noble metals content. The work will address the development of cost-effective Pd catalysts or noble metal-free materials, the latter especially for high temperature applications. These systems will be dispersed on Ti-suboxides supports in order to stabilize the metallic phase through a strong metal-support interaction (SMSI). This will reduce electrochemical corrosion phenomena which in most cases are promoted by the degradation of carbonaceous supports. To validate the new membranes and electro-catalysts materials, specific development of membrane-electrode assembly will be carried out with tailored hydrophobic-hydrophilic electrode characteristics. The new developed components will be thus validated in short stacks to assess their performance and durability under practical operation. Specific attention will be devoted to the exploitation, dissemination and the training of young researchers.

Keywords: direct methanol fuel cells,electrocatalysts,polymer electrolyte membranes,durability,high temperature,passive mode operation,portable applications,auxiliary power units,dmfc stack