Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Nanostructured Photoelectrodes for Energy Conversion (NANOPEC)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Energy
Destination: Horizontal programme actions
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Switzerland,Netherlands,Israel,Poland,Italy,Norway,Portugal
Call:  (FP7-ENERGY-NMP-2008-1, 2008)
Start date: 2009-01-01
End date: 2011-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3589188.0
EU funding (EUR): 2699909.0
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

To address the challenges of photon capture and energy conversion, we will investigate solar-driven hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical water splitting. Although the concept is extremely attractive as a method of sustainable fuel production, no single material with acceptable performance, stability, and cost has been found, despite decades of investigation. To address this significant challenge, we will use new concepts and methods, afforded by nanotechnology, to design innovative composite nanostructures in which each component performs specialized functions. These novel nanocomposites will decrease the number of criteria that any single component must meet, thus overcoming the basic materials limitations that have hindered development. Computational studies will be used to assist in the selection of optimal material pairings and a wealth of advanced analytical techniques will be employed to improve the understanding of structure-composition-property relationships. As a final objective, we will use NanoPEC’s innovations to develop a 1 square-centimeter test device that converts solar energy to hydrogen energy with a sustained 10% efficiency and a maximum performance decay of 10% over the first 5,000 hours of operation and a 100 square-centimeter test device with a sustained 7% efficiency and similar stability, representing a performance standard that goes well beyond the state-of-the-art. NanoPEC’s innovative research will redefine the field of photoelectrochemistry and place Europe at the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology research by contributing to leadership in this strategically important area.

Keywords: hydrogen production,photoelectrochemical water splitting,nanostructured materials,solar energy
Advanced Radio Astronomy in Europe (RADIONET-FP7)

Framework: FP7 — Capacities
Programme: Research Infrastructures
Destination: Support to existing research infrastructures
Action type: Combination of CP & CSA
Countries involved: Netherlands,France,Italy,Germany,United Kingdom,Sweden,Poland,United Kingdom,Netherlands,France,Germany,Spain,Netherlands,Germany,Korea, Republic of,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,France,Latvia,France,South Africa,Finland,China,Netherlands,United States
Call:  (FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES-2008-1, 2008)
Start date: 2009-01-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 14191383.35
EU funding (EUR): 9999997.13
Participants: 28
Project status: CLOSED

RadioNet is an integrating activity that has pulled together ALL of Europe's leading radio astronomy facilities to produce a focused, coherent and integrated proposals that will significantly enhance the quality and quantity of science performed by European astronomers. RadioNet FP7 has 25 partners. They range from operators of major radio telescope facilities to laboratories that specialise in micro-electronics. This proposal has brought these institutes together in a unique partnership that builds and extends on RadioNet FP6. The programme of work includes: 7 Networking activities, 4 joint research activities and 9 transnational access projects. The three main objectives are to: (i) provide European astronomers access to world-class radio astronomy facilities; (ii) embark on a research and development plan that will further enhance and improve these facilities, and (iii) nurture and support a rapidly growing community of radio astronomers and engineers, so that can fully exploit the upgraded and next generation radio facilities that will become available over the next few years.

Keywords: astronomy,radio-astronomy,physics,science
Engine and turbine combustion of bioliquids for combined heat and power production. (BIOLIQUIDS-CHP)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Energy
Destination: Renewable electricity generation
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Netherlands,Italy,Russian Federation,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-ENERGY-2008-RUSSIA, 2008)
Start date: 2009-01-01
End date: 2011-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4309697.0
EU funding (EUR): 1602318.75
Participants: 7
Project status: CLOSED

The combustion of plant oils in diesel engines, whether or not after esterification to “biodiesel”, is possible but for the future less desirable because they are derived from food crops (first generation biofuels). Fast pyrolysis liquids derived from ligno-cellulosic materials (second generation biofuel type), are superior in terms of sustainability. Combustion in prime movers like turbines or engines is however still troublesome, although demonstrated already on a significant scale. The aim of the project is to adapt a diesel engine and a micro gas turbine to enable the combustion of various bio-liquids including pyrolysis oils and blends. A relatively high electric efficiency can be achieved in comparison to other prime movers (like a gas engine) and, in this case, on the small to medium scale (50 –1000 kWe). The micro gas turbine and diesel engine should be part of a Combined Heat & Power (and Cooling) system. The project focuses on the required modifications of the engine/turbine, fuel preparation, and emission control (especially NOx). Besides, an assessment will be made of market potential, implementation barriers and sustainability, both for the EU and Russia. Diesel engine combustion of fast pyrolysis oil has been part of earlier EU projects. Unfortunately the success was insufficient due to a lack of involvement of real engine researchers who could develop new engine components. This problem is solved now, a.o. by the participation of a well established, large engine research institute in Moscov. A consortium is created of six complementary partners, including two small industries (SME’s), two big research institutes with established connections to large industries, and two universities. To enhance the communication between EU and Russian partners, one of the SME’s being established in The Netherland but owned by persons of Russian origin, will act as a liaison.

Keywords: cooperation with russia in the field of power generation from biomass,combustion,bio-liquids,engine,turbine,chp
Coordination Actions in Support Of Sustainable And Eco-Efficient Short Rotation Forestry In CDM Countries (BENWOOD)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology
Destination: Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest, and aquatic environment
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Croatia,Germany,India,Austria,Sweden,United Kingdom,Kenya,China,Austria,Italy,Poland,Germany,Brazil
Call:  (FP7-KBBE-2008-2B, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2011-08-31
Duration (months): 29.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1168292.0
EU funding (EUR): 998782.0
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

The project first assesses the state of the art of SRF as a biofuel source in CDM and JI countries (wp1) focuses on CDM countries (wp2) and links the project to current European and non-European R&D-activities in the area (wp3). Main outputs: 1) SRF guidelines and standards for land use management (wp4) for farmers and European JI/CDM project developers as well as stakeholders from the energy and biomass sector (electric utilities, pulp & paper, fibreboard etc.) 2) a SRF R&D agenda (wp5) for researchers and industry (boiler, oven, chipper, press producers etc.)

Keywords: short rotation forestry,cdm,kyoto protocol,best practice,production chain,research agenda
Electron-scale dynamics in chemistry (ELYCHE)

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: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2008-AdG, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2446200.0
EU funding (EUR): 2446200.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The target of the proposal is the first experimental demonstration of attosecond coherent control of electron motion in many-particle systems. The past decade has seen remarkable advances in the field of coherent control of chemical reactions thanks to the application of femtosecond technology; I propose to use the emerging attosecond technology to achieve coherent control of photodissociation reactions on a purely electronic scale. I will mainly concentrate on molecules with biological interest. The success of the project will be based on the possibility to initiate and control the sub-femtosecond electronic motion in large molecules, by using high-intensity isolated attosecond pulses. Such electron motion precedes and determines the subsequent nuclear rearrangement, which ultimately leads to the chemical change. In this way it will be possible to control in a direct way the outcome of a chemical reaction, which is one of the central problems in modern chemistry. A crucial benchmark of the project, substantially beyond the current state-of-the-art in Attosecond Science, will be the experimental demonstration of attosecond pump / attosecond-probe measurements, which for the present are not technically feasible. Electron dynamics will be measured, with attosecond resolution, in many-particle systems, ranging from simple molecules to complex bio-molecules. The application of attosecond pulses and the development of attochemistry techniques for the investigation of the primary electronic steps of chemical processes, is a completely new and challenging research field, with tremendous prospects for both fundamental research and technology. In particular, the attosecond coherent control of charge localization in bio-molecules can offer unique information on the mechanisms at the basis of biological signal transmission or on the processes leading to damaging of complex biological molecules (from polypeptides to proteins and DNA).

Keywords: attosecond science,attosecond chemistry
LOW-TEMPERATURE HEAT EXCHANGERS BASED ON THERMALLY-CONDUCTING POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES (THERMONANO)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Energy
Destination: Energy efficiency and savings
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Italy,Germany,Slovakia,France,Belgium,Germany,Romania,Italy,Germany,Italy
Call:  (FP7-ENERGY-2008-1, 2008)
Start date: 2009-01-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3763426.0
EU funding (EUR): 2638387.0
Participants: 10
Project status: CLOSED

Low temperature heat recovery is often limiting the energy efficiency of industrial processes. Low temperature differences imply large exchange surfaces which are unfeasible from the economic (expensive metal are needed to withstand the presence of condensates) and technical (too large volumes for the specific application contexts) viewpoints. The present project aims at developing nanofilled-polymer-based heat exchangers enabling: i) effective heat conductivity due to the percolation network of carbon or metal fillers; ii) cost reduction compared to metal materials (stainless steel, Cu-alloys,…); iii) design flexibility for an intensive volume exploitation; iv) superior corrosion resistance; v) promotion of the highly effective drop condensation with hydrophobic polymers. Three main application areas are devised: 1. Intercoolers increasing the efficiency of large diesel engines, where heat conductive plastics can provide a cheaper alternative to Cu-alloys when seawater is used as the cooling media (e.g. large naval engines or power plants close to sea side). 2. Heat recovery systems from combustion flue gases acting below 300°C, where commercial metal-based systems loose cost-effectiveness. 3. Application in the chemical and process industries where harsh chemicals or corrosive environments have to be faced. The project is divided into three main work lines: i) development of compounds in which a range of polymers (nylon, PET,…) and fillers (carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes, metal coated nanoparticles, …) will be considered; ii) tailoring of plastic forming techniques (injection moulding, pressing, extrusion); iii) manufacturing &amp; testing of up to two proof-of-concept heat exchangers. The partnership includes two Universities (POLITO-I, TUBAF-D), two research centres (CEA-F, PISAS-SK), three SMEs (Astrarefrigeranti-I, Nanocyl-B, Starom-RO) and two large companies (Simona-D, SGL Carbon-D) selected for their specific expertise to undertake the above challenges.

Keywords: heat exchanger,polymer,carbon fibres,carbon nanotubes,metal nanoparticles
Single molecules in soft matter: dynamical heterogeneity in supercooled liquids and glasses (SIMOSOMA)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2008-AdG, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1836000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1836000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Single-molecule optical microscopy provides average-free, dynamical and structural information about condensed matter at molecular scales. Single fluorescent molecules can now be located and tracked with a spatial resolution as high as a few tens of nanometers, even at depths as large as several microns. These capabilities are ideal to link the macroscopic physical properties of soft condensed matter with the structure, organization and dynamics of the constituent molecules. Perhaps the most surprising conclusion drawn from single-molecule observations is the unsuspected heterogeneity of molecular assemblies, both in time and space, which had remained largely hidden in conventional ensemble experiments. The structural glass transition is said to be one of the hardest open problems in condensed matter science. Although most agree on the crucial part played by heterogeneity in this process, the guesses vary wildly as to the scale and relaxation times of the inhomogeneities. Our recent discovery of glassy rheology in supercooled glass formers, following earlier observations of heterogeneity, has been received with much interest in the complex liquids community. I am convinced that single-molecule studies have the potential to radically change our view of supercooled liquids and glasses. In a broader sense, molecular insight from chemical physics complements the general ideas developed by statistical physicists. I believe it is the missing link toward a molecular control of the physical properties of soft materials. I propose to perform a broad range of novel single-molecule experiments using a micro-rheological cell to apply mechanical stress, strains and/or temperature jumps. In particular, we will perform mechanical studies of solid-solid friction, and temperature-jump studies of single proteins and single protein complexes.

Keywords: single molecules,undercooled liquids,glass formers,rheology,dynamical heterogeneity,environmental exchanges,superresolution,rotational diffusion,translational diffusion
Search for emergent phenomena in oxide nanostructures (SEPON)

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,Italy
Call:  (ERC-2008-AdG, 2008)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2013-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2026800.0
EU funding (EUR): 2026800.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Oxide nanostructures in low dimensions on well-defined metal surfaces form novel hybrid systems with tremendous potential and impact in fundamental research and for the emerging nanotechnologies. The focus of the project is on the fabrication of two-, quasi-one-, and quasi-zero-dimensional oxide nanostructure model systems suitable for elucidation of their emergent properties in terms of structure, electronics, magnetism, and catalytic chemistry. This will be achieved by controlled self-assembly in ultrahigh vacuum, with atomic-scale precision, and in-situ characterisation employing the full palette of modern surface science methodology. Established kinetic preparation routes as well as a new approach to steer the self-assembly via external fields will be applied to the growth of a variety of transition metal oxides on suitable substrate surface templates. The stabilisation mechanism of polar oxide surfaces in nanoscale oxide objects, the catalytic chemistry of a nanoscale inverse model catalyst consisting of oxide nanowires coupled to an array of one-dimensional metal step atoms, and the magnetic properties of a surface-supported oxide quantum dot superlattice will be among the emergent phenomena to be probed in this project. Such fundamental questions will be addressed in a close collaboration between state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical techniques. The possibility to separate dimensionality from nanoscale effects made possible by the model systems created here will add an extra dimension in the understanding of oxide nanophase systems.

Keywords: oxide nanostructures,geometrical structure,electronic and magnetic properties,growth phenomena,self assembly,catalysis
Atmospheric nucleation: from molecular to global scale (ATMNUCLE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Earth system science
Countries involved: Finland
Call:  (ERC-2008-AdG, 2008)
Start date: 2009-01-01
End date: 2013-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Atmospheric aerosol particles and trace gases affect the quality of our life in many ways (e.g. health effects, changes in climate and hydrological cycle). Trace gases and atmospheric aerosols are tightly connected via physical, chemical, meteorological and biological processes occurring in the atmosphere and at the atmosphere-biosphere interface. One important phenomenon is atmospheric aerosol formation, which involves the production of nanometer-size particles by nucleation and their growth to detectable sizes. The main scientific objectives of this project are 1) to quantify the mechanisms responsible for atmospheric new particle formation and 2) to find out how important this process is for the behaviour of the global aerosol system and, ultimately, for the whole climate system. Our scientific plan is designed as a research chain that aims to advance our understanding of climate and air quality through a series of connected activities. We start from molecular simulations and laboratory measurements to understand nucleation and aerosol thermodynamic processes. We measure nanoparticles and atmospheric clusters at 15-20 sites all around the world using state of the art instrumentation and study feedbacks and interactions between climate and biosphere. With these atmospheric boundary layer studies we form a link to regional-scale processes and further to global-scale phenomena. In order to be able to simulate global climate and air quality, the most recent progress on this chain of processes must be compiled, integrated and implemented in Climate Change and Air Quality numerical models via novel parameterizations.

Keywords: aerosol particles,climate change,bioshere-atmosphere interactions
Conversion of Sugar Cane Biomass into Ethanol (CANEBIOFUEL)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Energy
Destination: Renewable fuel production
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Denmark,Sweden,Brazil
Call:  (FP7-ENERGY-2008-1, 2008)
Start date: 2009-03-01
End date: 2011-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2489960.0
EU funding (EUR): 1661980.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

The project aims at developing the first cost-effective and industrially viable process for converting sugar cane bagasse and trash (i.e. sugar cane biomass) into fermentable sugars. Furthermore, the aim is to integrate such a process with existing production of 1st Generation ethanol based on sugar cane. In order to develop such a process, a deeper knowledge about the structural components of sugar cane biomass will be investigated with the aim of capturing the easier fraction of the cellulose sugars. Furthermore, the project will focus on developing a detailed understanding of the dynamic impact between pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis in order to specifically design the process and enzymes for cost-effective cellulose conversion. The consortium, which builds on an already established partnership, involves leading industry and Academic partners within the relevant fields from Europe and Latin America. The main technical barriers in the project relate to the application of an integrated approach, achieving economically attractive production of 2nd generation ethanol based on sugar cane biomass as opposed to converting biomass into energy or other alternative use. Moreover, challenges are related to achieving process compatibility with existing plants and the accomplishment of a simple and cheap process. The proposed project will focus on the following RTD activities: - Detailed characterization of structural components in sugar cane bagasse and trash - Understanding the treatability of various fractions - Pretreatment of biomass with focus on integration with existing technology - Enzyme development for improved cellulose hydrolysis - Process simulation and cost estimation

Keywords: 2nd generation biofuel,eu-latin america cooperation,sugar cane biomass,bagasse,enzymatic hydrolysis,pretreatment,process modelling
Towards continuous monitoring of the continuously changing Earth (WHISPER)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Earth system science
Countries involved: France,France
Call:  (ERC-2008-AdG, 2008)
Start date: 2009-07-01
End date: 2015-06-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1700736.0
EU funding (EUR): 1700736.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

This project is focused on the use of the seismic ambient noise to monitor slight changes of properties in the solid Earth. Processing of noise records allow s to mimic a situation in which a perfectly repeatable source is activated at the location of a passive recorder. The implication is the detection of changes of strain at depth with applications in different contexts. A major field of application is the monitoring of potentially dangerous structures like volcanoes or active fault zones prone to damaging earthquakes. The project includes new methodological developments and field experiments. Applications in regions where changes are induced by human activity are important both for the quantitative refinement of the method and for the important economic and social implications of these problems.

Keywords: seismic noise,monitoring,forecasting,natural hazards