Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Advancing Solid Interfaces and Lubricants by First Principles Material Design (SLIDE)

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: Italy
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2019-COG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-11-01
End date: 2025-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1403662.0
EU funding (EUR): 1403662.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Friction and wear are common phenomena that impact all applications where moving components are in contact, from micro-electromechanical systems to wind turbines, and result in massive economic and environmental costs. By advancing tribological materials impressive energy savings, and consequent reduction of CO2 emissions, can be obtained. However, in comparison with other technological applications that rely on materials, tribology is remarkably less advanced and the development of lubricants is still based on trial-and-errors methods. Optimizing lubricant materials is challenging because their performances are ruled by molecular-level processes that occur at the buried interface, which are extremely difficult to monitor by experiments. Simulations can play a decisive role here, in particular those based on quantum mechanics, which is essential to accurately describe the interactions between surfaces in contact and simulate reactions in conditions of enhanced reactivity as those imposed by the mechanical stresses applied. The goal of SLIDE is to port the material design paradigm based on First Principles Material Discovery to the field of Tribology by the development and applications of i) a protocol for harnessing tribochemical reactions to reduce interface friction. SLIDE will focus, in particular, in the development of environmental-friendly alternatives to commercial additives used in engine oils; ii) a workflow for high throughput screening of solid interfaces. A public database for the intrinsic adhesion and shear strength of a wide number of materials pairs will be created. Such database will constitute a source of realistic parameters for continuum models, paving the way for serial multiscale approaches to tribology, from the electronic- to the macro scale. Moreover, with the aid of machine learning algorithms, general trends will be identified and rational ways to chemically modify interfaces for advanced applications will be identified.

Keywords: tribology,tribochemistry,lubricants,material interfaces,adhesion,friction,first principles calculations,high throughput
Openings to the Inclusion of Muslim Minorities in Today’s Democracies (INCLUDE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems
Panel description: Political science, international relations, law
Countries involved: Norway
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2020-COG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-09-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

At the heart of contemporary politics in the old democracies in Europe and North America is a significant puzzle. How come the far right, advocating a nativist agenda particularly opposed to Muslims and Islam, is advancing at a time when public opinion research documents stability or decline in illiberal values in these populations at large? Current studies understandably focus on accounting for exclusion – opposition to Muslims, prejudice, islamophobia, and nativism. In the INCLUDE project, I propose to expand the scope of inquiry beyond drivers of exclusion to investigate the openness of non-Muslim majorities to the inclusion of Muslim minorities. I ask, under what conditions—on what terms—are they open to inclusion? This research question brings conceptual and empirical attention to different aspects of public opinion and different segments within the public than are currently at the center of attention in research on intergroup attitudes and support for the far right. A major program of new data collection is needed to test the new hypotheses and implications raised. To manage the risks involved in taking research in a new direction, I propose to collect data in sequences of survey experiments in a few countries where we already have a solid base of knowledge to build upon—Norway, Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The potential gains are considerable: The proposed new framework narrows down the conditions under which exclusionary actors, such as the far right, are likely to gain political influence. It highlights different aspects of the strategies and policies adopted by inclusive actors than are currently in focus. It identifies polarization traps that can fuel mistrust between “people” and “elites.” All in all, the project can bring forth vital new knowledge needed by those who seek to address one of the most significant societal challenges of our time—how to live peacefully together as diverse societies.

Keywords: political science,citizens,public opinion,inclusive attitudes,islamophobia,the far right,survey experiments
Upscaling Product development Simulation Capabilities exploiting Artificial inteLligence for Electrified vehicles (UPSCALE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: EGVI (cPPP)
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Spain,Italy,Germany,Austria,Spain,Belgium,Sweden,France,France,Czechia,United Kingdom
Call: Virtual product development and production of all types of electrified vehicles and components (H2020-LC-GV-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2018-11-01
End date: 2022-04-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3994802.5
EU funding (EUR): 3994802.5
Participants: 15
Project status: CLOSED

UPSCALE is the first EU-project that has the specific goal to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) methods directly into traditional physics-based Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)-software and –methods. These CAE-tools are currently being used to develop road transportation not only in Europe but worldwide. The current focus of the project is to apply AI-methods to reduce the development time and increase the performance of electric vehicles (EVs) which are required by the automotive industry to reduce global emission levels. High performance computing (HPC) and CAE-software and –methods play a decisive role in vehicle development process. In order to make a significant impact on the development process, the two most HPC intensive CAE-applications have been chosen as use cases for the project: vehicle aero/thermal- and crash-modelling. When considering total automotive HPC usage, approximately 20% is used for aero/thermal simulations and up to 50% of HPC resources are utilized for crash simulations. By improving the effectiveness of these two areas, great increases in efficiency will lead to a 20% of reduction of product time to market. Other novel modelling approaches such as reduced order modelling will be coupled to the AI improved CAE-software and -methods to further reduce simulation time and ease the application of optimization tools needed to improve product quality. Through the combined effort of universities, research laboratories, European automotive OEMs, software companies and an AI-SME specialized in machine learning (ML), the UPSCALE project will provide a unique and effective environment to produce novel AI-based CAE-software solutions to improve European automotive competiveness.

Keywords: machine learning,artificial intelligence,reduced order models,aerothermal,crash,computer aided engineering,high performance computing,battery crash safety,ai enhanced electrified vehicles
Identification of transcriptional memory maintenance factors through a cell selection strategy (IMMUNE-GENEMEMO)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Poland,United States
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2024-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 252078.72
EU funding (EUR): 252078.72
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Memory of gene expression states is essential for development and maintenance of tissues. Chromatin, a protein DNA complex, is implicated in the process. Local, chromatin feedback loops are involved in maintenance of gene silencing, but analogous mechanisms for preservation of active states are unknown. In order to reveal feedback loops for active gene expression states it is crucial to uncouple them from ongoing transcription, as it occurs in the case of maintenance of silent states. Such partition takes place during trained immunity – memory of the innate immune system. A key paradigm is interferon gamma (IFNγ) stimulation. While IFNγ induces many genes, a subset of those is maintained in a poised, inactive state that allows for rapid re-activation at a later time – an event called transcriptional memory. In my ongoing research I have discovered novel genes that show strong transcriptional memory of prior IFNγ activation and have obtained initial mechanistic insights into the role of chromatin in the process. Importantly, I discovered that memory results in a larger proportion of cells expressing the target gene. This forms the basis of a cell sorting, high throughput assay that I have developed. I am now in a unique position to capitalize on those discoveries and tools. I aim to identify novel transcriptional memory maintenance factors in human cells using an unbiased approach based on an efficient cell selection strategy combined with genome wide, CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis protocols. Secondly I wish to establish the function of the identified components in the stability of dendritic cells identity after differentiation form monocytes. The multidisciplinary and unique perspective of this project: combining gene expression analysis and selection strategies with immunological expertise will advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying maintenance of gene expression states and contribute to the development of new immune therapies and vaccines.

Keywords: transcriptional memory,trained immunity,ifn signalling,crispr cas9 genetic screen,fluorescence activated cell sorting,degron system,monocyte,dendritic cell
Development of Emerging Contaminants – Hybrid Soft Sensor for on-line monitoring of contaminants of emerging concern in water (ECO-SOS)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Norway
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2023-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 202158.72
EU funding (EUR): 202158.72
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The water resources and especially the drinking water in Europe and globally face new challenges with the emerging micropollutants, originating from pharmaceuticals, personal care products, plastics, flame retardants, etc. Even though they present in extremely low concentrations and do not exhibit acute toxicity to living organisms or environment, the long-term effects are uncertain. The water and wastewater treatment plants do not fully remove or eliminate them; thus, they accumulate in the water resources leading to higher concentrations increasing the health and environmental risks. Hence, the revisions of the EU drinking and wastewater directives are anticipated to require monitoring and control of these substances. However, that poses a challenge to the water utilities in Europe; The current analytical and monitoring systems of detection of these compounds at low concentration are expensive, time-consuming and usually complicated. Current studies have only reported the fate of these substances during various treatment processes but not on how to optimise them to maximise removal. To solve this problem, we would like to combine the expertise of the host research group and fellow applicant—the group of prof. Ratnaweera has experience in the development of real-time control and monitoring systems, while the fellow applicant is specialised in the analysis and removal of emerging contaminants during treatment processes. Thus, the global objective is to develop novel, cost-effective and simple to use surveillance system that would also enable the optimising of the removal of emerging contaminants in water. The concept will be developed and verified in collaboration with Norwegian and European water utilities addressing their needs and concerns.

Keywords: big data analytics,soft sensors,contaminants of emerging concern
Smart-Contract Protocols: Theory for Applications (PROCONTRA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Panel description: Informatics and information systems, computer science, scientific computing, intelligent systems
Countries involved: Poland,France
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2019-ADG, 2019)
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2025-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2496370.0
EU funding (EUR): 2478370.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Smart contracts are formal agreements that take the form of computer programs. They are typically written down, and automatically executed, on blockchains. Smart-contract protocols are algorithms that describe how these contracts operate in multiparty settings. Due to the large number of potential applications, interest in this field has exploded in the last few years. Also, the PI has generated important results through his work in this area. The ambitious goal of PROCONTRA is to transfigure this emerging field into a mature science. Our main research hypothesis is that smart-contract protocols will be used in real life and many of them will strongly rely on advanced cryptographic techniques and will need to be developed using modeling methods from theoretical cryptography. We will work in this direction by proposing new solutions in this area, providing formal models and security proofs. Given the importance of these protocols, it is crucial to fully analyze their security before they are deployed in real life. Therefore, the first pillar of this project is to design a complete security model for analyzing them. The second pillar is to propose new smart-contract protocols and to extend the existing ones. Our protocols will be proven secure in the model we propose in the first pillar. This will be done using traditional “pen-and-paper” methods. However, the most important proofs will also be machine-checked using proof assistants. On a more theoretical side, we will also work on characterizing what tasks are in general achievable using smart contracts, and under what assumptions. Throughout the project, we will closely interact with the smart-contract practitioners, and with the industry, in order to understand what are the practically-relevant problems in this field and to ensure that the project’s outcome will have an impact beyond academia. This will also take a form of participation in the standardization efforts in this area.

Keywords: universal composability framework,multiparty computation protocols,smart contracts,blockchain
Anthropogenic units detected by rare earth elements (REE) soil analysis in archaeological strata. (MATRIX)

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: United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-06-01
End date: 2018-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of the innovative MATRIX project is to establish a new interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary methodological approach that combines archaeology, chemistry and geology for the identification of anthropogenic deposits in archaeological excavations through rare earth elements (REE) soil analysis, pushing current limitations of traditional chemical and sedimentology techniques. REE are a set of seventeen elements in the periodic table, specifically fifteen lanthanides as well as scandium and yttrium. Crucially, these elements are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust and thanks to their characteristics can be employed as unambiguous markers of soil provenance on archaeological sites worldwide. Many techniques may be able to reveal ancient human activities, however integrated approaches can be reinforced by the employment of REE patterns as proved by my previous and ongoing research; an approach that does not merely observe coarse differences between anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic sediments, but is also able to see finer nuances like the degree of human contributions to the formation of ancient soils (palaeosols), adding new ways to tackle a classic archaeological problem that has increasing modern relevance: how do we discern the impact of ancient human activities on the soils that are a pivotal component of environmental and economic sustainability. Agricultural human activities or livestock is reflected with higher REE concentrations compared with the natural REE soil level. Probably this is related to the enrichment in soil of the organic matter and this transformation remain fingerprinted in the REE concentrations at stratigraphic levels of any chronological period. In archaeological site or modern site were the presence of human activities has change the natural landscape REE method is an optimum skill to clarify the stratigraphic impact in the soil and as well the soil occupation and abandonment dynamics.

Keywords: rare earth elements,mineral analysis,paleosols,archaeological soil,anthropogenic fingerprints
Towards an active bypass for neural reconnection (ByAxon)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Novel ideas for radically new technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Spain,Spain,Germany,France,France
Call: FET-Open research and innovation actions (H2020-FETOPEN-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2017-01-01
End date: 2020-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3752057.5
EU funding (EUR): 3752057.5
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

ByAxon is devoted to the development of a new generation of sensors and electrodes based on nanotechnology materials for neural interfacing. We aim to design and build a prototype of an active implant that could work directly at the spinal cord (SC) level. This implant will be primary focused on restoring the transmission of electrical signals in the injured SC, acting as an active local bypass, something not possible with current technology. Further applications might include deep brain stimulation or retinal implants, among others. Current neural interfacing approaches are based on detecting electric potentials at the brain level, and/or triggering functional electrical stimulation (FES) through electrodes at muscular or SC levels. Important present drawbacks are the large number of cables and electrodes they require and, specially, the lack of sensory feedback. The ultimate non-contact sensing devices (magnetoencephalography) detect magnetic-field pulses generated by potentials at the brain, but require cryogenic temperatures, and, hence, are not portable. We will exploit here the enhanced properties of nanostructured materials to develop improved room temperature magnetoresistance-based high-resolution magnetic sensors. This will allow tackling not only the brain but also the SC directly. We pursuit a novel integrated interface comprising both sensing and stimulation at the SC level. To reach this aim, we will develop FES electrodes of enhanced adhesion and efficiency by using nanowire coatings. ByAxon is supported by an interdisciplinary consortium, going from material scientists and electronic experts to biologists and clinicians. Our nanotechnology-based approach offers a novel perspective and will be complementary to, but independent from, present neural regenerative techniques. Our technology promises significant outcomes towards the development of an active local bypass and it has the potential to provide much-needed breakthroughs in future neuromedicine.

Keywords: nanomedicine,nanotechnology,spinal cord injury,neuroprothesis,low field magnetoresistance,sensors,half metallic perovskite oxides,electrophysiology,biocompatibility
A social application, which helps to generate ideas, solve problems while using the cyber-space and cyber-society (Be-novative)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Information and Communication Technologies
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Hungary
Call: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme (implemented through the SME instrument) (H2020-SMEINST-1-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-03-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 3.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Be-novative Platform was developed to harness the collective intelligence of organizations while motivate employees to share high-impact ideas, evaluate them and manage the full cycle of the implementation process. By further development of our web-based application and smart phone applications we are going to reach wider spectrum of organizations (SMEs and Non-profits) and potential user crowd (both employees, members of non-profits and university students) while creating a platform that has a global impact on existing innovation management by crowdsourcing creativity, gamification and problem solving. Before commencing the latest and future developments of Be-novative Platform, we see the space to carry out a study to ensure the developed platform will contain those features that will satisfy existing and attract future users from SMEs, non-profits and talented university students. The study will confirm our developments follow the best direction and has the right methodology for visionaries. Our experts, with help of external technical and market consultants, have identified points to be clarified before submitting a phase 2 application with great confidence and set the following objectives to address in phase 1. A feasibility study will be developed verifying the practical as well as economic viability. The activities comprise market study, multiple round user involvement and evaluation of results, Intellectual Property (IP) management, partner search for our Ambassador Program and finally technical feasibility of user experience concept. We are addressing to explore further bottlenecks in the ability to increase profitability of Be-novative in the phase 1 action and address them in a phase 2 project. We would further improve to facilitate the take up of results from the phase 1 and later the planned phase 2 actions. The outcome of the project will be a better understanding of the European SMEs and non-profits need regarding the Open Innovation Management, an ev

Keywords: open innovation management,full cycle innovation,crowdsourcing,gamification