Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Revealing 3D Atomic Structure and Chemistry in Scale-Bridging Volumes via 5D Hyperspectral Electron Tomography (HyperScaleEM)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Condensed Matter Physics
Panel description: Structure, electronic properties, fluids, nanosciences, biological physics
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2024-STG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-02-01
End date: 2030-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2300549.0
EU funding (EUR): 2300549.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Electron microscopy is essential to understanding structure-property-function relationships in modern materials engineering, condensed matter physics, chemistry, and structural biology. Yet, due to complicated scattering physics, today’s electron microscopes can only image tiny volumes with 3D atomic resolution. Within this project, I will turn the tables by utilizing and inverting the scattering physics to image scale-bridging volumes with atomic detail and chemical superresolution. Combining compressive data-acquisition protocols, state-of-the-art electron optics and detectors, and co-designed computational imaging algorithms will make this possible. I will use tomographic experiments and computationally invert the multiple scattering from multidimensional measurements in scanning transmission electron microscopy to determine 3D atomic structure and chemistry in technologically valuable volumes. This has not been realized yet due to significant bottlenecks in the computational complexity of the underlying algorithms and a lack of experimental automation, which I plan to overcome in this project. The project is divided into three main objectives: 1) Imaging 3D atomic structure in large volumes 2) Visualizing atomic chemistry in scale-bridging volumes 3) Profiling 3D atomic structure, chemistry, and dynamics in controlled in-situ experiments across scales These methods will be applied to essential materials, including examining single hydrogen atoms at grain boundaries in structural metals and studying concealed, extensive interfaces in modern semiconductor materials. In the final phase, I will record atomistic movies of material fracture in tungsten and alloys. Fracture is one of the most critical failure modes of structural materials with catastrophic consequences. The details of crack nucleation and propagation through the breaking of bonds are still largely unexplored and will be measured directly and compared with large-scale atomistic simulations.

Keywords: nanophysics,electron microscopy,large scale inverse problems,scattering physics,computational imaging
A Ruthenium Master Precatalyst with High Stability and Versatility (RuMaster)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2024-POC, 2024)
Start date: 2025-04-01
End date: 2026-09-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Catalysts play a crucial role in the chemical industry, with the production of approximately 90% of all chemicals dependant on catalysts at some stage in the manufacturing process. Ruthenium catalysis holds great potential in synthetic chemistry, offering unique capabilities in catalysing reactions like olefin metathesis and asymmetric hydrogenation. However, the field is hindered by the lack of versatile and stable ‘master precatalysts’, capable of allowing the reliable fast generation and screening of new catalysts by simply mixing them with libraries of ligands. Instead, common precatalysts such as RuCl3 or [(para-cymene)RuCl2)]2 are rarely used for in situ generation of new catalysts due to stability issues and non-straightforward ligand exchange, leaving chemists with few ruthenium-catalyst options to optimize or explore new chemistry. We have developed a novel ruthenium-complex that we believe represents the first ‘master precatalyst’ in this field. The complex, which we have called RuAqua, has been designed for maximum stability under ambient conditions –it is stable to air and moisture for years–, while affording very fast ligand exchange for in situ new catalyst formation. We have shown that RuAqua is an ideal precatalyst for high-throughput screenings and can be readily implemented into existing academic- and industry-based catalyst screening pipelines. This will result in more innovative processes being developed, as well as potentially displacing the use of much more expensive rhodium, iridium and palladium-based processes through the availability of new ruthenium-based synthetic routes. This project will aim to maximise the innovation potential of RuAqua by exploring improved synthetic routes to its scalable manufacture, taking into consideration industrial needs, engaging with downstream users to obtain evaluation in key processes, and further exploring the versatility of RuAqua for a wide range of reaction types.
Multiscale quantum bio-imaging and spectroscopy (MUQUABIS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Digital
Destination: Digital & Emerging Technologies for Competitiveness and Fit for the Green Deal
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Germany,Israel,Czechia,France
Call: Next generation quantum sensing technologies (RIA) (HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-07-01
End date: 2027-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6664541.25
EU funding (EUR): 6664541.0
Participants: 13
Project status: SIGNED

Understanding and controlling complex systems at different scales is a major challenge in biology and medicine. Quantum sensing technologies hold much promise for disruptive approaches to imaging and spectroscopy of biological matter. MUQUABIS aims at developing synergetic tools of quantum bio-sensing and bio-imaging. Such sensors will offer biology a distinctive host of powerful features – non-invasiveness, sensitivity, spatial and temporal resolutions, likely to conquer new frontiers in imaging and spectroscopy, out-of-reach of their classical counterparts. A focus is a global structural and functional understanding of cardiac cell layers from molecules to cells to tissues. ¬Their study in healthy and diseased conditions will shed light on cardiac arrhythmias, largely responsible for morbidity and sudden cardiac death. Advancing beyond modern tools of photonics and quantum measurements, new concepts for quantum frequency combs and infrared lasers will be explored. Low-light-level spectro-imaging will detect cell-membrane proteins and gaseous metabolites nearby cell tissues, below the quantum noise limit. Concurrently, a quantum magneto-microscope based on diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers will be combined to optical imaging for electrophysiology. Such a hybrid sensor will simultaneously and locally reveal the magnetic and electric fields in cardiac-cell activity. MUQUABIS proposes a unique synergic effort, gathering complementary expertise, technologies and infrastructures. Leading research institutions in quantum sensing, quantum optics and biophysics, together with four high-tech companies will rapidly move the project from fundamental quantum sensing components and protocols to technology validation on biological samples to a roadmap for industrial exploitation. MUQUABIS will pave the way to ground-breaking quantum-based tools and protocols for medical diagnostics and treatments, a strategic objective for the European Quantum Technology flagship.

Keywords: quantum sensing technologies medical diagnostic and imaging quantum magnetometry quantum optics nv centers in diamond quantum frequency combs quantum cascade lasers
Tellurium-free Thermoelectric Technology for Near-room-temperature Applications (TENTATION)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Products and Processes Engineering
Panel description: Product and process design, chemical, civil, environmental, mechanical, vehicle engineering, energy processes and relevant computational methods
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2023-STG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1498895.0
EU funding (EUR): 1498895.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Thermoelectric (TE) technology – whereby heat is converted to electrical power and vice versa – holds great potential for cooling and power generation in many applications because its unique solid-state nature enables TE devices to be free from emissions and maintenance; thus providing extraordinary reliability. Realizing this potential requires developing modules that have high performance at around room temperature (-70 ˚C to 300 ˚C). Currently, almost all commercial modules are based on bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) because of their until now unparalleled performance. However, Bi2Te3 cannot meet the rapidly increasing demand of TE technology, because tellurium (Te) is very scarce, with the Earth’s crust having a concentration of <0.001 ppm. Therefore, it is vital to develop a next-generation technology to mitigate the potential bottleneck in raw materials supply for a sustainable future. Here I propose to develop, on Mg-based compounds, a new TE paradigm completely free from Te with groundbreaking performances that transcend the record of state-of-the-art (S.O.A.) Bi2Te3. To that end, I will bring together interdisciplinary know-how with unique technical capabilities to enable a full-chain development to 1) innovate synthesis methods to produce superior materials, 2) establish contact materials and methods to optimize TE modules, 3) develop methods for scale-up production of materials and module sizes, 4) enhance and secure the modules’ robustness, 5) assemble device prototypes use the obtained modules. I aim to realize conversion efficiency of ~12% in the temperature range from 30 ˚C to 300 ˚C (S.O.A. is 3-6%), and cooling ΔT of ~90 ˚C (S.O.A. is 70-75 ˚C). These proof-of-principle demonstrations will pave the way for large-scale, high-performance, robust, and sustainable solid-state power generation and cooling for numerous applications, ranging from geothermal power generation to cold-chain boxes for medical storage and transportation including mRNA vaccines.

Keywords: solid state waste heat recovery semiconductor cooling
Origami Paper-based tecHnology fOr the innovativE aNd sustaInable Organ-on-Chip devices (PHOENIX-OoC)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Open to supporting projects in all areas of science, technology,...
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Italy,Spain,Sweden,Serbia,Switzerland
Call: EIC Pathfinder Open (HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-03-01
End date: 2027-02-28
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2202333.0
EU funding (EUR): 2202333.0
Participants: 6
Project status: SIGNED

Sustainability is one of the most important concepts nowadays, being able to drive activities in several sectors, namely environment preservation, society, and economy. In Analytical Chemistry, the development of sustainable devices was boosted by the introduction of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) whose advantages, however, are not only confined to the concept of sustainability. Indeed, paper as a functional material, confers unprecedented features to μPADs. However, paper-based devices remain exploited as only analytical tools, but have not (yet) been adopted by the Organ-on-Chip (OoC) world. The objective of the present project proposal is to alter this scenario. PHOENIX-OoC, we will radically change the OoC field by making use of paper’s versatile properties, and develop OoC devices using paper in origami configuration used (i) for cell co-cultures with the aim to better simulate different organ tissues, (ii) for (bio)sensors integration with the aim of on site/continuous monitoring of cells status/response to stimuli, and (iii) with the ultimate goal of performing accurate pharmacological studies. The main new idea is the introduction of a technology which can deliver a versatile set of electrochemical devices with new functionalities, in which, it will be possible to create ready-to-use cell culture models for drug screenings, in a custom-made manner. Because, OoC is a complex system with respect to μPADs, partners with different and needed skills have been gathered among the most important European scientists/entities in the field required. PHOENIX-OoC consortium brings together 6 partners, 4 Universities, 1 research organization, and 1 industrial partner (1 SME), 5 from 4 EU (associated)countries (Italy, Sweden, Spain, Serbia), and 1 non-EU member: Switzerland, which are renowned experts in the world on paper-based biosensors, in vitro/vivo studies, modelling, microfluidics, biomaterials, and joint tissue engineering.

Keywords: paper based devices paper based electrochemical bio sensors osteoarthritis
Piloting a Cooperative Open Web Search Infrastructure to Support Europe's Digital Sovereignty (OpenWebSearch.EU)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Digital
Destination: A human-centred and ethical development of digital and industrial technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Netherlands,Austria,Czechia,Switzerland,Slovenia,Finland
Call: Trustworthy open search and discovery (RIA) (HORIZON-CL4-2021-HUMAN-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2026-02-28
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8502621.75
EU funding (EUR): 8502621.75
Participants: 14
Project status: SIGNED

Web search has become an essential technology and commodity, driving not only future innovations but forming a backbone for our digital economy. Regrettably, currently few non-European gatekeepers control Web search, which creates a biased, one-sided information access centred around economic success rather than the needs of citizens or European values and jurisdiction. This one-sided ecosystem puts pressure on many small Web contributors from science, economy, art, culture, media and society requiring them to optimize their content for a few gatekeepers. A system greatly benefiting the gatekeepers thereby creates a vicious cycle, which leads to locked-in effects and a closed search engine market. To promote an open human-centred search engine market and provide a true choice to users when selecting search engines based on their own preferences, OpenWebSearch.EU proposes to develop and pilot the core of a European Open Web Index (OWI) and the foundation for an open and extensible European open Web Search and Analysis Infrastructure (OWSAI). Our approach is based on four objectives, namely (1) to develop a core suite of search, discovery and analytics services to create, maintain and utilize the OWI; (2) to develop relevant search engine verticals and new search paradigms demonstrating the impact; (3) to establish a network of European HPC-infrastructure, research and business organizations to pilot the OWSAI based on Europe’s values, principles, legislation, ethics and standards; (4) to stimulate an ecosystem around the OWI. The envisioned infrastructure will not only contribute to Europe’s sovereignty for navigating and searching the web, it will also empower Europe’s researchers, innovators and business to systematically tap into the Web as business and innovation resource, without paying huge upfront costs. This will be particularly crucial for future AI innovations and relevant for other European infrastructure like e.g. the European Open Science Cloud, GAIA-X.

Keywords: web search,web information systems,distributed infrastructures
Stimulating road Transport Research in Europe and around the Globe for sustainable Mobility (STREnGth_M)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Theme: Mobility
Destination: Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Austria,Greece,Germany,Belgium,Italy,Sweden,Kenya,Netherlands,Slovenia,France
Call: Stimulating Road Transport research and innovation dissemination and implementation in Europe and around the World (HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-02-01
End date: 2026-01-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999906.25
EU funding (EUR): 1999906.25
Participants: 24
Project status: SIGNED

The STREnGth_M consortium will contribute significantly to the planning of research and innovation in Europe by identifying future research needs in the field of road transport, by updating and supporting the coordination of strategic research agendas and roadmaps in the field and by facilitating continuous exchange between road transport research related Horizon Europe partnerships and platforms. It will further analyse research, innovation and cooperation capacities in Member States, explore funding instruments on national and regional level and assess potentials of national and regional roadmaps. Within STREnGth_M the global progress of electric mobility will be tracked while measuring the feasibility of innovative solutions for prospective and emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This will contribute to strengthen exisiting and even forge new links between European, national and regional programmes and support structures for international cooperation task forces. The partners will also identify barriers that may exist for the deployment of research results on European and on international level and they will identify education and training actions to contribute to capacity building. In order to inform and engage the vast stakeholder community, policy makers, the civil society and more, the consortium will develop elaborate dissemination strategies, support the dissemination and organisation of European and international road transport research related events. This way the dissemination of the contribution from road transport to the realization of the European Green Deal targets and the Paris Agreement can be ensured. Via the establishment of the so called Multiplier Group the engagement of the various stakeholders will be facilitated throughout the project.

Keywords: road transport research sustainable mobility road transport mobility electrification international global
Crystals of single chirality via non-equilibrium routes (CHIRAL)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2021-COG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2415625.0
EU funding (EUR): 2415625.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The molecular building blocks of life are of only one handedness. Consequently, pharmaceuticals and other bioactive molecules also need to be of one handedness. When such enantiomers crystallize in separate crystals, isolation of the desired handedness is relatively straightforward. Unfortunately, most enantiomers (90-95%) are thermodynamically more stable as racemic compounds with both enantiomers in the crystallographic unit cell, which impedes any such separations. There are currently no methods to systematically overcome this major bottleneck, thus hindering simple routes towards many essential enantiopure molecules. This proposal is aimed at overcoming this fundamental challenge by establishing new principles to turn racemic compounds into molecules of a desired handedness by liberating them from their thermodynamic constraints. To achieve this ambitious goal, we introduce a revolutionary new approach: manipulating the stability of crystals by subjecting mixtures of crystals to non-equilibrium conditions. Building upon our preliminary work, we hypothesize that growth/dissolution rates can be manipulated by selecting crystallization conditions such that the thermodynamically stable racemic compound is converted into the desired enantiomer. To achieve this ambitious goal, the main objectives of this proposal are to: (i) demonstrate the proof-of-principle, (ii) identify the essential parameters, and (iii) understand the mechanism behind this methodology. The results of this ERC Consolidator will hold direct relevance for our fundamental understanding of non-equilibrium conditions in reactive crystallizations, and the outcomes of this research will immediately impact our ability to produce molecules of single handedness. Ultimately, this breakthrough holds the potential to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry by offering versatile, sustainable, and simple routes towards essential enantiomerically pure building blocks that are crucial in our daily lives.

Keywords: chirality,crystallisation,enantiomers