Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The Metallurgical Nutcracker: Probing at the Nanoscale the Structure and Properties of Hard Second Phases in Alloys and Composites (PHASENANOCRACKER)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Products and process engineering
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-05-01
End date: 2017-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2496000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2496000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Our ambition is to probe the strength of “second” phases in multiphase metal alloys and composites, meaning of hard particles added to strengthen a metal, or alternatively of brittle inclusions that weaken it. Such phases are ubiquitous in structural metals; yet not much is known of the microstructural features that govern their strength. The underlying hypothesis of this project is that defects that limit the strength of such hard second phases can be identified and then altered by processing. Motivations for this enquiry stem from our previous research on metal composites, coupled with the fact that modern methods of nanoscale mechanical characterization now make such a quest feasible. Operationally, we plan to apply and extend nanomechanical testing to probe the strength of micrometric, irregularly shaped, hard particles currently used to strengthen metals. We aim to test such particles whole, and also for their local internal properties. Testing will rely on focused ion beam machining and adapted mechanical nanoprobing. These techniques will be combined to probe, using nanoindentation and original testing procedures, local and global strength values for hard second phase particles. Materials systems to be investigated are: (i) ceramic particles for the reinforcement of metal composites; (ii) silicon in aluminium, (iii) cementite and MC carbides in steel. Defects limiting the strength of these hard brittle phases suggested by nanoscopic mechanical testing will be identified using in-depth microstructural characterization, by electron microscopy notably, of both virgin and tested particles. The data will be supplemented by mechanical testing of macroscopic samples containing the hard particles in question. Processing routes will be explored, towards identification of strategies by which the strength of such second phases can be improved to improve, in turn, the performance of several important engineering materials.

Keywords: metallurgy,alloys,composites,strength
Astrochemistry and the Origin of Planetary Systems (CHEMPLAN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Universe sciences
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2018-06-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2499150.0
EU funding (EUR): 2499150.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

When interstellar clouds collapse to form new stars and planets, the surrounding gas and dust become part of the infalling envelopes and rotating disks, thus providing the basic material from which new solar systems are made. Instrumentation to probe the physics and chemistry in low-mass star-forming regions has so far lacked spatial resolution. I propose here an integrated observational-modeling-laboratory program to survey protostars and disks on the relevant scales of 1-50 AU where planet formation takes place. The observations are centered on new data coming from the Atacama Large Millimeter / submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the analysis includes unique new data from key programs on Herschel, Spitzer and VLT that I am (co-)leading. The combination of millimeter and infrared data allows the full range of temperatures from 10-2000 K in star- and planet- forming regions to be probed, for both gas and solids. The molecular line data are used as diagnostics of physical parameters (such as UV field, cosmic ray ionization rate, kinematics, mixing, shock strength, grain growth, gas/dust ratios) as well as to follow the chemistry of water and complex organic molecules from cores to disks, which ultimately may be delivered to terrestrial planets. The implications for the history of volatile material in our own solar systen and exo-planetary atmospheres will be assessed by comparing models and data with cometary taxonomy and, ultimately, feeding them into planet population synthesis models. Altogether, this program will bring the link between interstellar chemistry and solar system and exo-planetary research to a new level. The project will train four PhD students in a truly interdisciplinary environment in which they are exposed to all aspects of molecular astrophysics and have access to ample ALMA expertise, and it will prepare two postdocs for future faculty positions.

Keywords: molecular astrophysics,astrochemistry,millimeter astronomy,infrared astronomy
An Effective Field-Theory Assault on the Zeptometer Scale: Exploring the Origins of Flavour and Electroweak Symmetry Breaking (EFT4LHC)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2109600.0
EU funding (EUR): 2109600.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Questions about the origins of electroweak symmetry breaking and of the striking hierarchies ob-served in the spectrum of fermion masses and mixing angles are among the most pressing problems in fundamental physics. While the Large Hadron Collider at CERN was built to explore the physics of electroweak symmetry breaking on tiny distance scales of an attometer, the absence of clear hints for new particles in existing high-energy physics experiments suggests that new phenomena might only occur at distances still smaller than this. What if the LHC discovers a Higgs boson and nothing else? It has recently been realized that significantly shorter distances of only a few zeptometer (10^-21 m) can be probed indirectly in precision measurements of rare weak decay processes and of the couplings of the Higgs boson. Exploring nature at these scales never before accessible to mankind requires breakthrough advances in theory. I propose a broad theoretical approach to precision physics in and beyond the Standard Model based on effective field-theory tools. In the context of warped extra-dimension models, the genuine quantum structure of fundamental physics will be probed in loop-mediated processes, including Higgs-boson production and decay as well as rare flavour-changing neutral current processes. These explorations will be complemented by highest-precision calculations of important collider-physics processes, such as Higgs, top, and electroweak gauge-boson production in association with jets, which for the first time will be performed without recourse to phenomenological models. The multi-loop anomalous dimensions required for these calculations will also provide a deeper understanding of the structure of infrared singularities of scattering amplitudes in non-abelian gauge theories. The results obtained from the research described in this proposal are likely to reveal the deep common origins of the flavour structure and electroweak symmetry breaking.

Keywords: effective field theory,physics at the large hadron collider,origins of flavour and electroweak symmetry breaking,extra dimensions,higgs physics,rare decays,collider physics
Creating rigorous mathematical and computational tools that can summarise high dimensional data streams in terms of their effects. (ESIG)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Mathematical foundations
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-06-01
End date: 2017-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1814301.0
EU funding (EUR): 1814301.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The Calculus of differential equations has proved to be a very powerful tool for describing the interrelationships between systems. That understanding has transformed many aspects of our world. This success has now reached an important limitation. As the systems we seek to understand increase in dimension and complexity, oscillatory and complex order information becomes much more important, and on normal computational scales the systems of interest often fail to fit the smooth Newtonian paradigm. Mathematical tools that go beyond that smooth paradigm, and particularly Ito's extension of calculus to systems that have an additional Brownian component, have proved enormously valuable and have helped raised Stochastic Mathematics to the centre of the subject in a period of little more than 60 years. It has provided some of the most important applications of mathematics (spanning Neuroscience, Finance, Engineering, Image processing) over the second half of the last century. In the late 1990s a new tool, the theory of rough paths, began to emerge. The mathematical aspects have been developed strongly by probability theorists to describe couplings between systems that are completely outside the Ito framework, by analysts to understand the solutions to certain non-linear vector valued PDEs, by classical analysts interested in the non-linear Fourier transform, and by those desiring to go beyond Monte Carlo techniques by choosing carefully chosen and representative scenarios instead of random ones. Several excellent texts now exist. Key to this progress has been the combination of new definitions with strong rigorous results that underpin the concepts. The flow is still very active, and new tools, particularly the signature of a path, and the expected signature have a strong mathematical basis (eg. Annals of Math, Jan 2010) and potential as tools in pure and applied mathematics. This proposal would allow the PI to create the momentum for completely new applications.

Keywords: data streams,data assimilation,anomaly detection,scenario management,robust risk analysis,non-linear analysis,stochastic analysis,signature of a path,cubature,rough paths
Theoretical predictions and analyses of LHC physics: advancing the precision frontier (LHCTHEORY)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: Switzerland,Spain,Belgium
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2049600.0
EU funding (EUR): 2049600.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

The primary goal of this research proposal is to push to new levels of precision the predictive power of theoretical analyses of the phenomena observed at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The start-up of the LHC has opened a new era in the exploration of the fundamental laws of Nature. This is expected to lead, among other results, to the clarification of the mechanism breaking the electroweak symmetry of fundamental interactions, to the discovery of new elementary particles, possibly accounting for the Dark Matter seen in the cosmos, and to the observation of new interactions, acting differently on matter and antimatter, to explain the observed baryon asymmetry of the universe. The crucial ingredient in the success of this ambitious programme is the ability to interpret the signals extracted by the experiments. To decode their properties and match them to the dynamics of possible new physics models relies on the numerical simulation of such dynamics, and on the ability to distinguish it from that of the known Standard Model (SM) processes. The past two decades have witnessed a continuous progress in this field, driven by the exploitation of the data from previous colliders, such as LEP, HERA and the Tevatron. The complexity of the LHC final states, the large rates of processes with many jets and their role in mimicking the production and decay of possible new particles, call for an aggressive effort to radically improve the current quality and accuracy of the theoretical modelling, to match the unprecedented discovery potential and measurement precision of the LHC experiments. Capitalizing on recent theoretical advances, driven in significant part by the work of the PI and the team members, this proposal outlines a challenging and ambitious programme to advance to new levels the precision, generality and scope of the analysis tools used by both experimentalists and theorists engaged in LHC physics.

Keywords: standard model,beyond the standard model,lhc,qcd,nlo,monte carlo simulations
Microscopic Processes and Phenomena at Oxide Surfaces and Interfaces (OXIDESURFACES)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Austria
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2017-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2496100.0
EU funding (EUR): 2496100.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Metal oxide surfaces and interfaces play a key role in energy-related applications and in novel schemes for electronic devices that exploit the special physical and chemical properties of these promising materials. For progress in both areas, a detailed, mechanistic understanding of the atomic and molecular processes that occur at oxide surfaces and interfaces is critical. Experiments on well-characterized model systems in conjunction with computational modelling can provide such insights, but current investigations are limited in the range of materials and scope of phenomena that can be studied, and to experiments in a low-pressure environment. Research conducted in this project will push these limits by: • Developing new methodologies for atomic-scale investigations of the subsurface region of oxides with mixed electronic and ionic conduction to measure mass and charge transport across oxide interfaces. • Combining cutting-edge molecular beam epitaxy techniques with atomically-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy to synthesize samples of multi-component metal oxide materials with tailored surface properties. • Establishing a new research thrust that will combine both ex-situ and in-situ electrochemical surface science techniques to study structurally well characterized metal oxide surfaces in an aqueous environment.

Keywords: oxides,scanning tunneling microscopy,surface chemistry,epitaxial thin film growth,fuel cells,catalysis,electrochemistry
Stretching soft matter performance: From conformable electronics and soft machines to renewable energy (SOFT-MAP)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Products and process engineering
Countries involved: Austria
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2494800.0
EU funding (EUR): 2494800.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims at exploring the unique properties of soft matter, inimitable with conventional solid materials, to extend basic knowledge and to trigger novel applications. Three core objectives going far beyond the state of the art are tackled: in conformable electronics stretchable ferroelectrets and rechargeable batteries promise novel electronic items. The groundbreaking approach of this proposal is the development of stand-alone stretchable electronic items including sensing capabilities for touch and other environmental stimuli, information distribution, as well as power generation and distribution. Such devices can be used in soft robots, artificial limbs and morph designs. The second objective on soft machines addresses electromechanical instabilities in soft transducers, leading to giant stroke actuators, enabling programmable Braille readers and tactile feedback in consumer electronics. Stretchable nonlinear optical materials allow for efficient phase-matched operation, opening new research fronts in adaptive photonics. The third objective on renewable energy concerns mechanical energy scavenging from environmental sources. We focus on water as electrode in deformable capacitors and as gap filling dielectric in variable capacitors. Efficient operation cycles maximizing energy of conversion are developed. The wide range of objectives, but also the possible applications require expertise in thermodynamics of soft matter, in electrical and mechanical engineering and in device implementation. The challenge of the overall approach is to base research on materials from renewable sources. We expand knowledge in applying soft materials in conformable electronics, soft machines and energy harvesting and contribute to general challenges in sustainability and energy supply. This creative project establishes new research reflected in publications, patents and devices but will also expand our fundamental understanding in stretching soft matter performance.

Keywords: soft matter,stretchable electronics,ferroelectrets,dielectric elastomer transducers,energy harvesting,continuum mechanics
Triplet supercurrents and superconducting spintronics (SUPERSPIN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2017-02-28
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1822084.2
EU funding (EUR): 1822084.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In almost all superconductors the pairs of electrons which carry the charge are in the so-called “singlet” state in which the quantum spin of the two electrons is antiparallel. There are only a few known compounds which show so-called p-wave superconductivity in which the electron spins within a pair are parallel and hence in a “triplet” state. During the past five years there has been increasing evidence that proximity coupling between singlet superconductors and ferromagnets can sometimes generate triplet pairs within the ferromagnet - the evidence being that supercurrents can be passed through ferromagnetic materials over length scales which are simply too large for singlet pairs to survive. Earlier this year, in parallel with two other international groups, we made a breakthrough in demonstrating how this triplet state can be created in a controlled way. Together, the results have opened the way for a rich new field of triplet superconductivity in which the potential ability of a supercurrent to carry spin can be allied with standard spin electronics ("spintronics"). In this project we will build on our lead in this field and to explore how triplet currents can be controlled by magnetic elements within a device so that the spin supercurrent can be directly measured. As well as demonstrating superconducting spintronic devices, this project also aims to investigate the potential of creating artificial p-wave superconductors by exploiting materials which are predicted to have a favourable p-wave coupling but which are not themselves superconductors. The results from this programme will inevitably stimulate the broader scientific community interested in unconventional superconductivity and spintronics and pave the way for important new research fields.

Keywords: unconventional superconductivity
Quantum Entanglement in Electronic Solid State Devices (QUEST)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110209, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999350.0
EU funding (EUR): 1999350.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The quantum world is by far larger than the classical one. It is entanglement, closely linked to non-locality, that spans this larger space manifold. Entanglement plays a central role in emerging quantum technology aiming to harvest quantum space. From the experimentalist’s point of view working in nanoelectronics, there is no instrument on the shelf yet, that would measure the degree of entanglement. This we would like to change with QUEST. QUEST is a long term project with the goal to experimentally establish a continuous probe of entanglement generation in the electrical signal of quantum devices. It is set up in two parts: the realization of a highly efficient source of spin-entangled electron pairs and the exploration of different correlation measurements providing a measure of entanglement “on the fly”. During the last decade a wealth of theory proposals have appeared, addressing entanglement in electronic devices. The interaction of particles in solid-state devices provides a natural force for the appearance of entanglement. Examples are correlation between electrons and holes in the emission on a tunnel junction, or the “naturally” occurring Cooper pairs in s-wave superconductors. While first results on the realization of sources of entangled electron pairs have appeared recently, there are no experiments demonstrating entanglement in transport of any of those devices. We aim to change this and propose to implement high-bandwidth current correlation methods up to the forth moment, enabling to test Bell-inequality and quantum state tomo-graphy. Based on our long standing experience in the measurement of second-order correlations in nanodevices, we are well prepared for this very challenging goal.

Keywords: quantum transport,quantum entanglement,quantum dots,correlation spectroscopy,spin and electron transport,low temperature physics