Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Highly Integrated Nanoscale Robots for Targeted Delivery to the Central Nervous System (HINBOTS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator 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: Switzerland
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2017-COG, 2017)
Start date: 2018-09-01
End date: 2023-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998720.0
EU funding (EUR): 1998720.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Over the past two decades researchers have been working to create synthetic small-scale machines ranging from molecular entities or miniaturized structures, to more complex assemblies of micro- and nanomaterials. These machines are able to navigate in complex environments by harvesting fuel from the surrounding media or from external power sources. One of the most sought-after applications for these miniaturized machines is to perform minimally invasive interventions, in which these devices will ultimately reduce risk, cost, and discomfort compared to conventional interventions. This has driven researchers to produce a myriad of small-scale robots loaded with therapeutic cargo. While recent research has demonstrated the potential of these devices in animal models, a number of challenges remain in moving small-scale robots into the operating theatre. Here, we propose highly integrated nanorobots capable of realizing several functions on-demand by capitalizing on recent developments in small-scale robotics, multiferroics, supramolecular chemistry, and gated materials. These nanorobots will integrate a porous inorganic active chassis made of a piezoelectric or a magnetoelectric multiferroic that will host therapeutic agents, with redox or electroresponsive supramolecular gates that will control the release of payloads. We will demonstrate for the first time that redox- and electroresponsive supramolecular machinery grafted onto the surface of piezoelectric or multiferroic platforms can be remotely controlled by means of a piezoelectrochemical potential triggered by acoustic and magnetic fields. The ultimate goal of this research consists of creating smart multifunctional nanorobots, which will act on affected sites of the central nervous system by delivering therapeutic agents and electrostimulating the rewiring of neural circuitry.

Keywords: nanotechnology,nanorobotics,biomedical applications
Nanoscale phase evolution in lithium-sulfur batteries (NanoEvolution)

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: Chemistry
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-07-01
End date: 2022-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191149.44
EU funding (EUR): 191149.44
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered a strategic candidate to achieve both significantly higher energy storage and better sustainability than current Lithium-ion batteries. They operate by converting sulfur into lithium sulfide and back on discharge/charge. However, practically achieved energies are far from theoretical values due to difficulties to load sulfur in high areal and volume density in the porous carbon cathode and to fully use it electrochemically. Current experimental techniques are strong in aspects, but fail to combine the required coverage of length scales ranging from sub-nanometers to micrometers in the crucial real-time in situ fashion. NanoEvolution aims to i) identify nanoscale structure-transport-performance correlations, ii) understand capacity limitations and reaction mechanisms, and iii) derive design criteria for improved Li-S battery performance. To achieve these goals, structure-sensitive in situ scattering and imaging methods during electrochemically operating custom-built in situ Li-S cells will be implemented. Specifically, in situ small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) will be established and synergistically combined with nanoscale phase evolution modelling for data analysis. In situ nanoscale X-ray tomography will be realized to achieve continuous structural sensitivity from (sub-)nanometer (SWAXS) to sub-micrometer scales (tomography). The novel combination of modelling and structure-sensitive in situ experiments allows real-time detection of the Li2S/sulfur morphology and location within the nanoporous carbon electrode during charge and discharge, at length scales so far not accessible to other methods. This allows to determine the final cause for capacity limitation (mass transport vs. charge transport), ii) elucidate the nature of the multiple-step sulfur reduction (oxidation) reaction, and iii) derive design criteria for improved sulfur loading, capacity utilization, and power densities.

Keywords: lithium sulfur batteries,in situ saxs,in situ tomography,imaging,reaction mechanism
Hyperpolarized ultra-low field (ULF) magnetic resonance to design next generation functional contrast agents (HyperULFNMR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2020-STG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2025-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful technique that is widely applied for chemical analysis, structural biology and for medical imaging. Despite its versatility, NMR is inherently insensitive. To overcome sensitivity challenges, hyperpolarization methods were developed that enhance NMR signals by over 10,000-fold. Hyperpolarized molecules have mainly been used in standard high-field imaging as contrast agents to directly observe metabolism. Most of the contrast agents have a traceability of up to 3 minutes until the hyperpolarized signal is depleted, limiting the scope of applications. Contrast agents that are observable for longer time periods (> 10 minutes) hence promise new opportunities to probe physiological function in vivo, exceeding the state-of-the-art. Long hyperpolarization storage is especially possible in many chemicals species at ultra-low magnetic fields (< 10 millitesla), more than 1000-fold lower than typical NMR systems. My overarching goal is to introduce a novel concept of functional contrast agents using the advantages of ultra-low field (ULF) NMR spectroscopy. I will show that these contrast agents are even of interest for cancer diagnostics. In addition to a long traceability, different structural information of molecules become available in the ULF regime that I am planning to explore to design contrast agents: Changes of electron-mediated couplings between nuclear spins of different elements can be determined with unprecedented precision in the ULF regime. I have already extensively worked on this challenge and have constructed ULF-NMR devices and analyzed how molecules change their coupling patterns under ULF conditions. In addition, I have made great progress in designing molecules that can be hyperpolarized and the polarization stored for tens of minutes. Success in this project will open a gate towards better functional magnetic resonance, both for research purposes and for affordable cancer diagnostics.

Keywords: low field nmr,ultra low field ulf,hyperpolarization
Sustainable Chemical Alternatives for Re-use in the Circular Economy (SCARCE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — 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: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2016-STG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2022-09-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499655.89
EU funding (EUR): 1499655.89
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal seeks to develop a novel non-invasive, real-time direct observation methodology to provide new knowledge on the mechanisms underpinning crystal growth and harvesting within membrane crystallisation reactor technology. Crystallisation represents one of the most important separation processes in the chemical industry and will play a critical role in the circular economy through enabling the recovery of resources from wastewater to yield an array of sustainable low cost chemicals for use in European industries. Existing crystallisation reactor designs suffer from imperfect mixing and inhomogeneous solvent removal which makes control of crystal quality and consistency problematic and can limit application of the final product. Membrane crystallisation reactor technology is a disruptive innovation that combines process intensification with the capability to achieve significant control over the crystallisation process at a fraction of the scale thus ameliorating many of the problems associated with existing crystallisers. However, before this disruptive membrane based technology can be realised at full scale, there is a critical need to understand the role of shear forces in mediating the growth and harvesting of crystals at the solvent-membrane boundary which has to date received little attention. With no reliable and accurate description of the shear force behaviour within the boundary layer, there is considerable risk incurred in the scaling up of membrane crystallisation reactor design which could lead to inconsistent and inefficient performance. Development of the novel non-invasive, real-time direct observation methodology will enable direct measurement of these discrete forces. The arising new knowledge will be challenged at various process sizes to evolve the science underlying process scale-up of membrane crystallisers and in doing so will deliver internationally competitive research, placing the applicant at the forefront of his academic field.
Early diagnosis of cervical cancer through the validation of Human Papilloma Virus viral load and expression of oncogenic viral proteins E6/E7 as risk indicators (SixthSense)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: Clinical research for the validation of biomarkers and/or diagnostic medical devices (H2020-SMEINST-1-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-04-01
End date: 2015-09-30
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Infection with certain Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) types has been demonstrated as the most important risk factor in the development of cervical dysplasia, found to be present in nearly 100% of women with cervical cancer. Currently implemented mass-screening approaches based on imaging, Pap testing and DNA testing display some relevant drawbacks in terms of specificity and sensitivity, and even when one is diagnosed with HPV, there is practically no way to determine whether this infection will regress (90% of the cases), or will turn into cancer, with obvious economic and societal consequences. Through the SixthSense Project, PathoFinder will validate a diagnostic algorithm for HPV screening able to detect the presence of oncogenic/high-risk types HPV DNA, and to measure their viral load and expression of oncogenic viral proteins E6/E7, which will be used as risk indicators for the development of cervical cancer, thus allowing to timely diagnose who will develop cancer, and initiate the treatment accordingly. The objective is to manufacture and worldwide distribute this new assay and the associated analytical device, leveraging the proprietary new generation multiplex and Real Time PCR technology for rapid detection and identification of human pathogens in clinical specimens. This result will allow women to accurately know their risk to develop cancer undergoing only one gynaecological sampling/visit for both first line and second line testing, avoiding unnecessary and excessive follow up procedures. At the same time National Healthcare Systems would reduce the costs of unnecessary follow up visits and of more invasive investigations, while gynaecologist would also be favoured in the management of patients with low grade dysplasia.

Keywords: viral load,early screening
Functional Laser Induced Graphene from natural bio-plastics (bio-LIG), sustainable composites for non-invasive wearable sweat sensor platforms (SusBioLIG)

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: Ireland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-11
End date: 2023-10-10
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 196590.72
EU funding (EUR): 196590.72
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Wearable sensors have the potential to revolutionise traditional health and wellbeing diagnostics by enabling personal healthcare monitoring everywhere and anytime. However, the increased demand, ubiquity and the inherent disposable nature of wearable sensors poses serious environmental concerns both in terms of high energy production requirements and end-of-life disposal. These concerns mandate urgent development of “green” materials and processes to ensure future sustainability of the wearable sensor sector. The project proposes a simple one-step, scalable approach for producing and patterning porous graphene films with three-dimensional networks from chitosan using laser writing technique (bio-LIG). SusBioLIG will start with investigation of the bio-LIG process to find the chemico-physical mechanism enabling LIG formation on chitosan. The effect of laser irradiation parameters, the percentages of individual components will be investigate in order to optimize standard formulation morphology and electrical conductivity. Obtained composites will be assessed by electrical characterisation and spectroscopic techniques. Finally, Bio-LIG electrode arrays will be designed and fabricated will be characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Label free electrode and functionalized electrodes by GOx and LOx will be used as sensing platforms for uric acid, glucose and lactate respectively. Direct electron transfer and or Prussian blue mediated electron transfer studies will be carried out for glucose and lactate. After electrochemical (e.g. cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry) behavior studies of targeted biomarkers at electrode array platforms, affecting parameters will be optimized. Then, simultaneous detection of targeted biomarkers in an artificial sweat sample will be performed and figures of merit for each biomarkers will be obtained and compared.

Keywords: biopolymers,wearable biosensors,laser induced graphene,chitosan,bioelectrochemistry
Smart Morphing and Sensing (SMS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Germany,Germany,Greece,Poland,Switzerland,France,France,France,France
Call: Reducing energy consumption and environmental impact of aviation (H2020-MG-2016-Two-Stages, 2016)
Start date: 2017-05-01
End date: 2020-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3991687.5
EU funding (EUR): 3991687.5
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

Smart Morphing & Sensing is a multidisciplinary project associating novel electroactive actuators and sensors to increase aerodynamic efficiency and attenuate vibrations and noise. This is achieved via aerostructural morphing exploiting the real-time information from the distributed actuation and sensing systems. This goal is achieved by actuating the smart-materials to deform the structure according to optimum shape design by means of Flight Control Commands. The novel “intelligent material” technology is a hybrid association of small piezo-actuators distributed along the control surface, of Shape Memory Alloys and of Electroactive Polymers, disposed under the ‘skin’ of the active structure. This novel hybrid design allows associating fast time response and vibrational actuation with simultaneous high deformation ability. The ability in capturing energy from the already existing vibrations and redistributing it in the actuation will be used to partially supply the system and therefore ensure an economic and realistic morphing. This is beyond the cutting edge of the state of the art in morphing concepts. The use of novel distributed pressure sensors based on fiber Bragg grating provides real-time information on the actuation performance and the flight situation enabling an efficient in-situ optimization using a dedicated controller interfacing the actuators with the fiber based sensors. Aerodynamic and structural experiments are included to demonstrate the abilities of the new integrated smart sensing and morphing design via real-time actuation. High-fidelity aeroelastic computations are used to optimize the actuators location and function. The experiments will study the increase of the aerodynamic efficiency in cruise, take-off and landing by controlling the turbulence structure responsible for noise and vibration. The main configuration will be based on the Airbus A320 type wing with morphing flap.

Keywords: morphing,flight physics,aerodynamics,wing,wind tunnel testing wwt,cfd computational fluid dynamics
Late-stage catalytic carboxylation techniques with labelled carbon dioxide: new opportunities for radiolabelling (LABEL-DIOX)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Spain
Call: ERC-Proof of Concept-2016 (ERC-2016-PoC, 2016)
Start date: 2017-12-01
End date: 2019-05-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 149750.0
EU funding (EUR): 149750.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion´s studies (ADME) are essential for drug discovery and development, providing invaluable preclinical data to understand how the drug behaves in living organisms, thus allowing to make a decision on whether the drug should be terminated or advanced to the next step. At present, most of these studies are performed with a radiolabelled 14C-labelled version of the drug; unfortunately, current radiolabelling syntheses rely on lengthy-step sequences or rather expensive 14C-labelled building blocks, dramatically raising the costs for the research and development, and delaying the execution of preclinical studies. Taking into consideration that carboxylic acids are privileged motifs in a myriad of agrochemicals or pharmaceuticals, LABEL-DIOX offers the opportunity of promoting a late-stage carboxylation event with labeled CO2. The protocol is user-friendly, with components that are neither air- nor moisture sensitive, utilizes earth-abundant catalysts and operates under mild conditions. LABEL-DIOX will increase the overall efficiency of the carbon isotope incorporation, reduce the costs that would have resulted from the design of a lengthy radiolabelled synthesis, minimize the costs for waste disposal and dramatically increase the revenues, thus changing the way industrial chemists conduct radiolabelling of drugs containing carboxylic acids.

Keywords: carbon dioxide,radiolabelling,nickel,catalysis,carboxylic acids
MicroTher: Drug Discovery from the Microbiota (MicroTher)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Panel description: Medical technologies and tools for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, therapeutic approaches and interventions, pharmacology, preventative medicine, epidemiology and public health, digital medicine
Countries involved: Italy
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): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The rapid increase in the prevalence of diseases caused by the disruption of the intestinal epithelium, also known as leaky gut syndrome, is a global cause for concern. Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), two disease indications that occur as a result of a compromised intestinal mucosal membrane, collectively effect over 235 million people globally. In a healthy gut, the epithelial lining is tightly aligned to form a structurally robust barrier between the outside and the inside of the body. When this lining is compromised, immunogenic compounds such as bacterial endotoxins can infiltrate the body, causing systemic and local inflammation, resulting in diseases such as MetSyn and IBS. Through our ERC Advanced project FUNMETA, we have identified the ‘postbiotic’ molecule, indole-3-aldehyde (IAld), to be critical in the maintenance and restoration of intestinal epithelial integrity. Preliminary data already indicates the ability of IAld to repair damaged intestinal epithelium and to modulate symptoms of MetSyn and IBS in animal models. As these two indications are not only burdened by high prevalence rates, but also by ineffective or expensive treatments, there is strong potential in the clinical adoption of IAld. Therefore, the main aim of MicroTher is to further assess the clinical and commercial feasibility of IAld as a pharmaceutical agent.

Keywords: metabolic syndrome,diabetes,inflammatory bowel syndrome,leaky intestinal epithelia,postbiotic,pharmaceutical treatment,prevention,small molecule drug