Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Thermal Conversion and Storage in One Solid-State Device (PowerPact)

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: Denmark,Italy
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2024-POC, 2024)
Start date: 2025-06-01
End date: 2026-11-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171428.57
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Waste heat makes up a very large fraction of the energy produced today. The process chain of energy conversion of chemical energy into power is subject to up to 72% loss. Recovering this waste heat will be crucial for enhancing the efficiency of processes. Today approaches such as thermoelectric energy conversion are receiving interest due to their ability to turn waste energy back into useful electrical energy. However, the wider adoption of this technology is being held back due to the low efficiency (< 5-8%) of current thermoelectric devices, the need for a temperature gradient, and the scarcity of state-of-the-art materials. Recently, a new device, the 'thermal battery', was proposed. Until now, the thermal battery concept has been explored using liquid electrolytes. However, liquid electrolytes severely restrict the operation temperature range to ΔT<50 K. In PowerPact, the goal is to create a pioneering prototype that features a high-temperature battery made of solid-state electrolytes and electrodes using "artificial oxide heterostructures," which can stack together on demand. This design will enable the battery to charge at high temperatures and discharge at low temperatures, effectively using waste heat recovery. The overall goal is to achieve a proof of concept capable of storing energy within the range of milliampere-hours (mAh) to watt-hours (Wh) that is suitable for small consumer electronics. Through this development, we seek to lay the basis for a new class of 'thermal battery' that directly captures and stores waste heat. To realize this vision, we need to radically redesign the 'thermal battery' technology, where our thermal battery features a unique charging mechanism; it operates at a constant temperature. This breakthrough advances a new concept in thermal batteries, designed to connect current thermoelectric technologies with solid-based thermal batteries. To date, however, solid-state thermal batteries have remained elusive.
Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of iron-mobilizing coumarins biosynthesis, trafficking and secretion (MORFE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: France
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 226420.56
EU funding (EUR): 226420.56
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for the productivity of crops and the quality of their derived products. Fe is also the most deficient mineral nutrient in human diet. Decrypting the molecular mechanisms plants have evolved to acquire Fe from the soil is essential for improving their capacity to absorb and store Fe, which will help to provide adequate dietary Fe to the growing global population. The secretion in the soil of root-borne coumarins has emerged as a key factor affecting Fe uptake in non-grass species. The mechanisms by which Fe mobilizing coumarins biosynthesis, trafficking and secretion is regulated is still not well understood. Using an original bioinformatic pipeline, the candidate has identified conserved DNA-signatures in the promoter of key genes involved in this process in different plants species, including crops. The objective of this project is to identify and characterized in Arabidopsis the regulatory proteins associated with these DNA-signatures and determine their role in plant Fe nutrition. In work package 1 (WP1), the developed bioinformatic pipeline will be further used to enhance the detection accuracy of conserved potential regulatory DNA motifs present in the promoter of Fe-mobilizing coumarin genes. Candidate proteins interacting with the selected potential DNA motifs will be identified using in silico and in vivo approaches (WP2). Last, we will generate mutants in order to precisely define the role of each candidate identified. In vivo imaging of coumarin and candidate protein localization will be conducted to ascertain the role of each candidate in the spatiotemporal distribution of coumarins within the roots (WP3). The proposed project is both feasible and appropriate for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, since the expected outcomes are innovative and will generate knowledge for both fundamental and industrial research, while the candidate will improve his skills and knowledge in a specialized research area.

Keywords: iron,plant nutrition,specialized metabolites,coumarins,gene expression,transcription factor,cis regulatory sequences,transcriptional regulation,agricultural science
Breaking Barriers in Scalable Quantum Computing (MCQube)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Challenges
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: France
Call: Emerging quantum technology components (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-02, 2024)
Start date: 2025-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3570650.0
EU funding (EUR): 2499455.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

At Quobly, we are charting a realistic path toward large-scale quantum computers using our proven semiconductor manufacturing processes. Our solution addresses the critical need for a new computing paradigm in the face of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence and big data technologies. We have developed silicon spin qubits with integrated on-chip control electronics, implemented on CMOS FD-SOI technology. Our ground breaking innovation, protected by 40 patents, is the result of two decades of rigorous European research and development. Our methodology involves modifying only 10% of standard semiconductor fabrication processes, enabling us to leverage existing infrastructure for the efficient and cost-effective production of quantum processors. We have already achieved significant milestones, including the successful demonstration of one and two-qubit gates, the fabrication of four-qubit chips, and the seamless transfer of processes from our pilot line to a commercial foundry. We have set ambitious targets in our development roadmap, aiming to demonstrate a 100 physical qubit chip by 2027 and a 1000 logical qubit chip by 2030. These advancements will facilitate real-world applications of quantum computing in medical research, drug discovery, mobility optimization, energy management, and other fields critical to Europe's technological sovereignty and economic competitiveness. Quantum computing offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Europe to leap ahead in the global tech race. With EIC Accelerator support, we will ensure that the next wave of world-changing innovations will be made in Europe

Keywords: quantum computing quantum technology fault tolerance qubits quantum error correction silicon spin qubits,fd soi technology,cmos integration,fault tolerant quantum computing
Plasma-based point-source CCU technology to recycle CO2 into added value chemicals to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries (D-CRBN)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Open to supporting projects in all areas of science, technology,...
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Belgium
Call: EIC Accelerator Open 2023 (HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-07-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3607500.0
EU funding (EUR): 2499999.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Spin-off from University of Antwerp (PLASMANT research group), D-CRBN is a climate tech company which has developed a cutting-edge technology that enables the conversion of CO2. We recycle captured CO2 and split it into its original building blocks thanks to our proprietary plasma-based technology whose efficiency is 5x higher (or more) than current systems. Our Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) process enables not only to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries by eliminating their point source emissions but also to create new value-added products such as e-fuels, polymers, and chemicals. In this way, CO2 recycling is the cornerstone of a circular carbon economy that supports a net-zero future. We offer one of the most profitable, sustainable, and flexible CO2 recycling solutions to the petrochemical, steel industry, and maritime transport. In other words, we turn a harmful gas causing climate change into a business opportunity.

Keywords: carbon capture,utilization,and storage ccus co2 recycling plasma based co2 conversion electrified co production plasma reactor hard to abate industries circular economy
Safety Improvement and Control Strategies in Human-Robot Collaboration Using Non-Rectified Multicamera Images (HRC)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Attracting and mobilising the best talents
Destination: Attracting and mobilising the best talents
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Czechia
Call: ERA Fellowships (HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-TALENTS-02, 2024)
Start date: 2026-01-01
End date: 2027-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 207758.16
EU funding (EUR): 207758.16
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Human-robot collaboration (HRC) is an important and established subject of study and research in the field of robotics (as part of Industry 4.0) which currently pervades many aspects of human endeavour. Advances in HRC have diversified the application of robots from the traditional production line to intelligent manufacturing, homecare, and healthcare. In such applications, human-robot collisions are bound to occur, with adverse consequences. To overcome the challenge of collision and improve safety in HRC in a shared workspace, several techniques (which employ vision, acoustics or haptics technology) have been developed. The techniques include external positioning of cameras in the workspace, use of robot skin embedded with sensors, and image-based feedback control. These three methods typically apply vision-based technology. This proposal aims to employ a novel and validated convergent stereo camera model (that does not require image rectification) in robots with a view to improving safety in HRC. The model is characterized by less computational complexity and short execution time relative to existing reconstruction models in stereovision literature. Subsequently, the project will introduce an improvement for robot skin to also have visual information from high-resolution cameras by extending the geometric analysis and mathematical modeling of non-rectification stereo imaging to multicamera imaging in the light of safety improvement in HRC using robot skin. This will complement the tactile sensation capabilities of robot skin with enhanced visual features that incorporate elements of the validated stereo camera model. Finally, a double-view image-based visual servoing control strategy will be developed for the improvement of safety in HRC using the validated model. While contributing to robotics literature and presenting new approaches to collision avoidance in HRC, this project will ultimately deepen the researcher’s understanding of robotic vision and control.

Keywords: human robot collaboration,robot skin,multicamera model,and control strategy
Semi-Structural Econometric Methods for the Analysis of Inequality (SEMANI)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Individuals, Markets and Organisations
Panel description: Economics, finance , management
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2024-COG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-10-01
End date: 2030-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1580832.0
EU funding (EUR): 1580832.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Rising income inequality and related disparities, accompanied by high persistence of socioeconomic outcomes across generations, have become a major public policy concern around the world. Documenting inequality, understanding its determinants, and evaluating policies with the goal of reducing inequality is an important part of empirical research in economics. Widely used statistical tools for quantifying the importance of various drivers of inequality and intergenerational mobility have produced influential findings that are directly, and often informally, interpreted in public and political debates. In these debates, causal and economic meaning tends to be attached to the stylized statistical findings without the use of empirically tested structural models. The first objective of the proposed project is to show theoretically and empirically that these widely used statistical tools generate findings that permit a structural economic interpretation only under very strong assumptions. If these assumptions fail, then the structural interpretation may be misleading, and the findings may not in fact measure what they purport to measure. The second objective is to develop new, robust statistical tools that are guaranteed to produce findings with a structural interpretation while retaining the attractive features of popular existing approaches, e.g., weak assumptions and data requirements. Through substantive economic applications of the new statistical methods the project is expected to discover powerful new insights about what drives inequality and what are effective policies for reducing it. In addition, it is expected to provide a new interpretation of a vast and hugely influential body of empirical research, which has shaped our understanding of inequality and has informed policy decisions around the world.

Keywords: econometrics,causality,difference in differences,partial identification,robustness
Untangling Ediacaran Paleomagnetism to Contextualize Immense Global Change (EPIC)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Earth System Science
Panel description: Physical geography, geo logy, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, climatology, cryology, ecology, global environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, natural resources management
Countries involved: Norway
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2021-COG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1963575.0
EU funding (EUR): 1963575.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The Ediacaran-early Cambrian (~635-520 Ma) was an interval of immense global change with fundamental state shifts occurring in the bio-cryo- and atmosphere. Such changes included the abrupt appearance and rapid diversification of modern metazoan life (the Ediacaran fauna and Cambrian ‘explosion’), the end of protracted, global-scale glaciations (Snowball Earth), the rise of atmospheric oxygen to present-day levels, and the perturbation of carbon isotopic records to extremes otherwise unknown to Earth history. Given the immensity and abruptness of those changes, they are clearly essential to an understanding of the development of life, the history of climatic change and the evolution of the oxygen and carbon cycles. Accordingly, great effort has been dedicated to acquiring detailed temporal records to investigate those changes through time, but we still lack a robust paleogeographic framework to study them in space. This is because paleomagnetic data—which are used to determine the ancient positions of continents—exhibit aberrant behaviour at this time, the meaning of which is unknown. Four alternative hypotheses have been formulated to explain them: 1) rapid rotations of the entire solid Earth (true polar wander), 2) an unstable magnetic field, 3) pervasive data corruption, or 4) ultra-fast plate motion. Each of these hypotheses has far-reaching implications: Hypotheses 1, 2 & 4 reflect dramatic non-uniformitarian processes that would defy our understanding of geodynamics, whereas hypothesis 3 poses grave challenges to the interpretation of paleomagnetic data in Precambrian time. My vision with EPIC is to investigate and identify the origin(s) of the aberrant paleomagnetic data of this age, and to use that knowledge to directly reconstruct Ediacaran-early Cambrian paleogeography for the first time. EPIC will thus transform one of geophysics’ most outstanding enigmas into one of our greatest assets in understanding this critical time in Earth’s development.

Keywords: paleomagnetism paleogeography geodynamics tectonics
Building Resilient International Development through Green Employment in the EU and Asia (BRIDGE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Economic Sciences
Countries involved: Italy,China,Belgium
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-08-01
End date: 2028-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 275945.16
EU funding (EUR): 275945.16
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

The project ‘Building Resilient International Development through Green Employment in the EU and Asia’ (BRIDGE) aims to comprehensively examine the structure and evolution of 'green jobs'—those essential for the green transition—along global value chains, in response to the growing international economic shifts toward sustainable development. The project’s core premise is that the ecological transition transcends national borders, representing a global process. As a result, labor dynamics related to this transition are deeply interconnected across regions worldwide. Asia, particularly China, plays a key role in the development and production of goods and services crucial to the green transition. These processes form a ‘global value chain’ of green jobs and tasks, encompassing every stage from design and planning to raw material extraction, production, logistics, and distribution. The exploration of this ‘global green-employment chain’ (GGEC) is critical for identifying potential areas of collaboration and competition, while also assessing the feasibility of regional development strategies in both the EU and Asia. The project wants to leverage on my expertise on labor economics to develop an analysis on a global level, adopting a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing empirical analysis and qualitative interviews to key actors to develop empirical informed computer simulation experiments (EICSE). The project will be hosted by two top-class academic institutions: the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Parma (UNIPR, Italy), under the supervision of Prof. Fabio Landini, and the School of Management and Economics at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in Chengdu, under the supervision of Prof. Daitian Li. This MSCA presents an excellent opportunity for my academic career, offering the chance to enhance my expertise and pursue a tenure-track position at European universities.

Keywords: green jobs,global value chain,development economics,innovation management,labor economics,computer simulated models
Melting-Process-Condition Variations-Aware Control of the Laser-Powder Bed Fusion of Metals (MeltingWell)

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: Slovenia
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2025-STG, 2025)
Start date: 2026-01-01
End date: 2030-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1498750.0
EU funding (EUR): 1498750.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Laser-powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M), also known as selective laser melting (SLM), enables the production of geometrically complex and high-performance metal parts, such as medical implants, nature-inspired structures, and aircraft structural elements. In PBF-LB/M, the laser beam melts metal powder layer after layer, resulting in a solidified metal bulk piece and/or lattice structure. PBF-LB/M supports sustainability through light-weighting, easing supply chain constraints, and enables a high level of product customization. However, the PBF-LB/M process is limited by process condition variations, which often cause defects and quality variations in the printed parts. For example, due to the heat accumulation effect and specific laser toolpath pattern, the depth of melting will vary despite using constant process input parameters such as laser power and scan speed. The inability to predict and control melting process condition variations leads to qualification and certification challenges, hence hindering the wide adoption of this process in industry. The discovery of feasible and effective control methods that can reduce melting process condition variations is critical for the adoption and further advancement of the PBF-LB/M process. The goal of this project is to develop and validate the first solution for controlling the PBF-LB/M process, which takes into account all common sources of process condition variations. The control solution will be based on the PI's recent breakthrough results in predicting process condition variations in PBF-LB/M. The proposed solution is in i) improved coaxial measuring of meltpool depth variations, ii) combining two state-of-the-art data-driven process condition prediction models, and iii) generating predetermined dynamic adjustments of the laser power along the scan path. The proposed control method's validation will determine the next de facto standard control method for PBF-LB/M.

Keywords: additive manufacturing control coaxial measurements meltpool depth artificial intelligence