Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
MRI Signal To Recover Unique Cerebral TissUe Response to changEs (MRI-STRUCTURE)

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: Spain
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2018-04-01
End date: 2020-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 158121.6
EU funding (EUR): 158121.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

MRI-STRUCTURE is an innovative non-invasive imaging framework that will provide access to unexplored microstructural information in brain, targeting the scarcity of microstructural models able to extract meaningful biomarkers from the diffusion MRI signal in grey matter (GM). It is based on a synergy between different approaches: simulations, modeling, acquisition and analysis of real data, implementation of rodent model of brain insults, translation to human. The final aim of the project is to increase our knowledge of brain structure in health and disease, with a special focus on the themes of neuroinflammation, demyelination and axon degeneration. These physiological processes are interplaying phenomena involved in the brain’s reaction to different stimuli, which have recently become a hot topic in brain research, due to their involvement in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. The specific objectives of MRI-STRUCTURE are: 1) to develop a new biophysical model of diffusion MRI in GM, capturing salient aspects of its microstructure; 2) to validate the model by triggering selective activation of different compartments in selected brain areas using established models of inflammation, demyelination and degeneration in rats; 3) to translate this approach to human brain in vivo in a cohort of healthy volunteers (during a secondment in CUBRIC, one of the European hubs for neuroimaging); and 4) to disseminate the framework to a wide clinical audience through a secondment in the startup Mint Labs, and explore its commercial applicability. An instrument with capacity to characterize relevant aspects of tissue microstructure in vivo and noninvasively is expected to have a tremendous impact on our knowledge of the pathophysiology of many brain pathologies, ultimately leading to early diagnosis, better (e.g., personalised) monitoring of the disease course and of the efficacy of new therapies.

Keywords: diffusion mri,mathematical modeling,brain microstructure,neuroinflammation,neurodegeneration,demyelination
Collaboration of humans and AI in the enterprise (botconnect)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Germany
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2018)
Start date: 2018-04-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

botconnect is a cloud software application (SaaS) which integrates into the existing enterprise information architecture to augment human capabilities. botconnect defines the optimum next-best-action for every individual customer by combining collaborative filtering with a deep learning neural network that interacts with the human e.g. the account managers or customer service agents via chat and voice in natural speech at their desk or mobile. After successfully piloting the second prototype version of botconnect’s solution with AXA, the team is able to confirm the capability of its breakthrough product to open up new markets worldwide with the potential for rapid and sustained growth. Considering the immense potential of artificial intelligence, the application in an innovative and productive manner in the enterprise field now creates the business opportunity to introduce botconnect to a broad market. By pursuing the present feasibility study, the management team aims to improve its understanding of the present international market conditions and the associated risks that need to be considered as the company develops a deeper business plan for rolling out and scaling up botconnect’s first product as a marketable innovative solution. SME Instrument Phase-1 and Phase-2 would be extremely beneficial in helping the company accelerate the development and market penetration in target segments, boosting the company’s growth to over 200 employees and €26m in revenue by 2022, in accordance with the company’s mission plan.

Keywords: artificial intelligence,chatbot,next best action,information systems,expert automation and augmentation software
THINK: TeraHertz emitting INK (THINK)

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-2019-PoC, 2019)
Start date: 2019-08-01
End date: 2021-10-31
Duration (months): 27.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This ERC proof-of-concept (PoC) award will enable the creation of application-ready prototypes of THINK, i.e. Terahertz (THz) emitting ink. Terahertz radiation (typically 0.3-3THz) is one of the less-accessible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, as many technologies and methodologies available in optics and microwaves, which limit the THz band at the two sides of the spectrum, cannot be directly applied there. THz technologies are still relatively expensive, they are very difficult to scale on large areas and are, in the most popular forms, bulky. Most importantly, embedding and engineering THz features in existing arbitrary objects are very challenging. THINK is a working prototype, developed within the framework of the ERC-CoG project TIMING. At the present state-of-the-art THINK (we named this ink after this proposal) is the first “THz ink” of its kind. This project will develop the first steps towards the commercial engagement of THINK by identifying the appropriate market area, creating application-ready embodiments, protecting the relevant foreground and engaging with relevant industrial partners.

Keywords: photonics,terahertz ink,terahertz watermarking
Living Together: a study of Hansalim as a model for solidarity pathways towards sustainable food systems (LivingTogether)

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: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Korea, Republic of,United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2021-09-01
End date: 2024-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 287976.0
EU funding (EUR): 287976.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Is the solidarity economy an impractical idealistic dream or can cooperatives really make a significant contribution to realising sustainable agri-food systems? With the global food system in crisis, there is an urgent need to study alternatives to the modern industrial food system and to share practical and policy lessons for sustainability transformations. There is an accumulation of evidence across Europe that certain kinds of cooperatives which bring farmers and consumers together – multi-stakeholder cooperatives (MSC) – can function successfully to promote sustainable agri-food systems at a small scale. Yet there is little research on the extent to which they represent a pathway to wider transformation. Through this fellowship, my goal is to enlarge the global conversation about the role of the solidarity economy in food system transformations by supporting shared learning between East and West and academia and cooperative movements. To achieve this, I have planned an extensive period of participatory fieldwork to conduct an in-depth case study of a little-known Korean cooperative, Hansalim, which has grown to become the largest organic food MSC in the world. It embodies a possible model of a large-scale alternative to the modern industrial food system with wider implications for broader societal transformation. This project will culminate in the publication of a series of academic papers and a book about Hansalim for popular readership to reach the widest possible English-speaking audience.

Keywords: multi stakeholder cooperatives,solidarity economy,food systems,sustainability transformation,republic of korea
A FIWARE-based SDK for developing Smart Applications (SmartSDK)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Information and Communication Technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Italy,Spain,Switzerland,Mexico,Portugal
Call: MEXICO: Collaboration on ICT (H2020-ICT-2016-INT, 2016)
Start date: 2016-09-01
End date: 2018-11-30
Duration (months): 27.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1940817.38
EU funding (EUR): 396442.38
Participants: 12
Project status: CLOSED

SmartSDK aims at creating a sustainable FIWARE ecosystem between Europe and Mexico by leveraging on existing FIWARE outcomes and building reference standards for common challenges. To fulfil this goal, SmartSDK will analyse successful FIWARE applications deployed in Europe and derive from these applications a set of FIWARE-based reference service architectures and reference data models to support the agile development of smart solutions for sustainability challenges of today world. In this perspective, SmartSDK will adopt existing Open Standards and Open Source solutions leveraging on results of European and Mexican initiatives based on FIWARE. By “standardizing” these efforts in a reference Software Development Kit (SDK) for smart applications, SmartSDK will foster a long-term collaboration between Europe and Mexico on FIWARE building on shared societal and economical challenges in Europe and Mexico. The collaboration will promote increased FIWARE adoption in Mexico as ecosystem for developing smart solutions, through the involvement of cities, innovative SMEs and startups. This will insure a wide impact in Mexico and Europe and will support the growth of new FIWARE-based businesses through the direct involvement of a network of around ICT 30 incubators and accelerators with access to more than 1000 ICT Innovative companies and startups and the support of Wayra Mexico (owned by Telefonica), the local branch of the worldwide largest accelerator. The participation of key FIWARE partners in Europe (TID, CREATE-NET) and Mexico (INFOTEC, ITESM), the support of European startups building on FIWARE technology (HOPU, UBI), and Future Internet researchers from Mexico (CECISE, CENIDET, INAOE) under the experienced guide of R&D consultancy specialist and key promoter of FIWARE internationalization (MARTEL) are a unique asset for ensuring SmartSDK success.

Keywords: fiware,smart city,smart healthcare,smart security,cloud native applications,internet of things,data and context management
Deciphering the role of PI(4,5)P2 and its modulators PPK-1 and CSNK-1 in nematode asymmetric division (PIADINE)

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: Switzerland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-10-01
End date: 2022-10-24
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191149.44
EU funding (EUR): 191149.44
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The first embryonic division of Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful system to dissect the mechanisms governing asymmetric division, which relies on PAR-proteins for cell polarity and on dynein-dependant forces for centrosome and spindle positioning. In contrast to the extensive knowledge regarding proteins regulating asymmetric division, the contribution of plasma membrane tension, as well as of PIP2 and its modulators PPK-1 and CSNK-1 is poorly understood. I propose to decipher these questions as follows: 1) PIP2 is enriched in the embryo anterior in microdomains of the plasma membrane. I will test the contribution of PPK-1, the only kinase from the proteome converting PIP into PIP2 in formation of PIP2 microdomains distribution, cell polarity and pulling force. This will be achieved through ppk-1(RNAi) as well as two complementary optogenetic approaches to obtain acute spatiotemporal inactivation of PIP2. 2) I will decipher how the casein kinase CSNK-1 interacts with and phosphorylates PPK-1, thereby presumably regulating PIP2 microdomain distribution and function, as well as identify and characterize up to three CSNK-1 phospho-substrates with. 3) I will test whether PIP2 undergoes phase separation driven by a decrease in plasma membrane tension, and, if so, investigate the consequences on asymmetric division. Moreover, I will study the relationship between membrane tension and cortex contractility. 4) I will analyze asymmetric cell division in the one-cell Pristiochus pacificus embryo I will then use the knowledge acquired in C. elegans to conduct related experiments in P. pacificus, thus investigating potential conserved and divergent themes governing asymmetric division across nematode evolution. Overall, these experiments will shed critical light on the poorly understood contribution of PIP2 and its modulators to asymmetric division, an evolutionarily conserved process fundamental for development and stem cell lineages.

Keywords: caenorhabditis elegans,one cell embryo,asymmetric division,pip2 distribution,ppk 1 and csnk 1 kinases,optogenetics,spatiotemporal control,membrane tension,pristionchus pacificus
Constraining cosmic antinuclei fluxes for indirect dark matter searches with precision measurements of rare antimatter cluster formation (CosmicAntiNuclei)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Panel description: Particle, nuclear, plasma, atomic, molecular, gas, and optical physics
Countries involved: Germany,Italy
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2020-STG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-07-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1468625.0
EU funding (EUR): 1253523.95
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Visible matter constitutes only 5% of the matter-energy content of the Universe, whereas the remaining 95% is constituted by unknown forms of matter (20%) and energy (75%) that appear as ``dark'' to us. In the landscape of Dark Matter searches, antinuclei are a promising, almost background-free smoking gun signal for WIMPs and are a target of indirect dark matter searches. This project attacks in a systematic and comprehensive way the modelling of light antimatter cluster formation, necessary to predict the expected signal and background rates for dark matter antinuclei searches in space-borne experiments. The programme is based on precision measurements of rare antihelium production in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. An innovative approach based on the measurement of two-particle correlations will be applied for the first time to investigate experimentally antinuclei formation via coalescence in relation to the nucleus wavefunction and interaction potential. The results of the analysis of the ALICE data will be input for the modelling of antinuclei formation and propagation in the Galaxy. The final goal of the project is to obtain a prediction for the expected cosmic ray antihelium background rate for AMS-02, further enhancing the scientific value of the proposed research programme. The outcome of this project will shed light on the production mechanisms of light nuclei and antinuclei in high-energy interactions. In addition, it will extend the ALICE and LHC physics programme to the astrophysical domain, with a deep innovative impact in a well-established field of research. It will have direct fundamental applications to indirect dark matter searches with existing (AMS-02) and future (GAPS, AMS-100) experiments, providing relevant input to frontier research in this sector.

Keywords: antimatter,light nuclei formation,coalescence models,phenomenology,indirect searches for dark matter
Assessing the Technical and Business Feasibility of Highly-active and Stable Intermetallic Pt-alloy Catalysts for Application in PEMFCs (StableCat)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: Slovenia
Call: Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2020-PoC, 2020)
Start date: 2021-03-01
End date: 2023-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 177857.14
EU funding (EUR): 80000.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are crucial in the race towards cutting the greenhouse gas emissions – covering 90.7% of total fuel cell market share already in 2018. PEMFCs as a zero-carbon technology converts hydrogen, as a fuel, and oxygen from the air into clean electricity, with water being the only by-product. In doing so, the catalyst material plays a crucial role. Currently, the most promising strategy is to use scarce and expensive platinum (Pt) in the form of carbon-supported nanoparticles (NPs) that are alloyed with a less expensive metal M (e.g. M = Ni, Co or Cu; Pt-M/C). However, current commercial catalyst solutions cannot yet combine the ‘three-pillars’ within the same material – (i) high electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), (ii) high catalytic activity and (iii) high stability. Thus, the StableCat project addresses the pressing need for the improvements of commercial catalysts by obtaining atomic-scale structural understanding. A unique methodological approach developed in project ERC StG 123STABLE resulted in a novel synthesis strategy that, for the first time, combines all three-pillars within the same catalyst material, and will pave the innovative way as an enabler for mass commercialisation of PEMFC technology. Our investigation revealed that 123STABLE catalysts exhibit up to 40% increase in ECSA, a 2-3 fold increase in catalytic activity, as well as an intermetallic crystal structure with increased stability towards corrosion. In addition, the new synthesis approach has also revealed significant potential at reducing the amount of Pt in PEMFCs (50% reduction possible already today). The goal of StableCat is to conduct technical and business activities necessary to enter the commercialisation phase, preferably in a form of a Spin-out company.

Keywords: proton exchange membrane fuel cells pemfcs,platinum pt,electrocatalysis,hydrogen,nanotechnology,value chain,intellectual property ip,business development,commercialisation
Cosmopolitanism Revisited: Afro-European Mobilities in Contemporary African Diasporic Literatures (AFROEUROPOLITANS)

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: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Belgium
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172800.0
EU funding (EUR): 172800.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

African literatures attest not only to the diversity of mobilities typical of the global era, but also to the fact that Europe continues to occupy a special place in the African literary imaginary. This study analyses the ways in which African Franco- and Anglophone diasporic literatures address the idea(l) of a cosmopolitan world citizenry in varied Afro-European contexts of mobility. In order to do so, the study critically revisits the concept of cosmopolitanism and, by drawing on theory and readings of African fiction, develops a new analytical pattern reflecting the privileged, practical and critical dimensions of the concept. The study’s interdisciplinary theoretical framework consists of postcolonial theory, cosmopolitanism, mobility studies and diaspora studies, and it applies a method of contextual close-reading which is motivated by a transnational impulse. By focusing on Afro-European mobilities, the study contributes to the topical scholarly endeavour of analysing the intertwinement of the two continents in a way that exceeds national boundaries. Studying fictional African cosmopolitanisms enhances our understanding of Europe in a changing global setting in terms of cultural encounters viewed from an Afro-European perspective, providing a literary articulation of the social exclusion that people with African origins often face in their attempt to claim cosmopolitan world citizenry in Europe. Fictive African mobile narratives are informed by such intersecting markers of difference as class, gender, nationality, and race. The study draws attention to how the universalising tendencies of traditional cosmopolitanisms and the elitism of some recently formulated Afropolitanisms are challenged in this setting. By developing and applying an analytical pattern of cosmopolitanisms, the study responds to the urgent call to revisit the slippery concept of cosmopolitanism by exploring its limits and potentials within the African literary context.

Keywords: cosmopolitanism,afropolitanism,africa,europe,mobility,african literature,diaspora,transnational,postcolonial