Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The Flavour of New Physics (NPFLAVOUR)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2017-10-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1258920.0
EU funding (EUR): 1258920.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The Standard Model (SM) of electroweak and strong interactions, supplemented by neutrino masses, provides an extremely successful description of all available experimental data in elementary particle physics. However, the basic origin of electroweak and flavour symmetry breaking remains largely unknown, as well as the mechanism stabilizing the electroweak scale. In the coming years, direct searches at LHC will shed light on electroweak symmetry breaking and probe new physics models with new particles up to the TeV scale. At the same time, an impressive amount of data in the flavour sector will be collected at dedicated experiments such as LHCb, Super B-factories, MEG, NA62 and others. This upcoming experimental information sets the stage for the present project, which aims at: i) providing the theoretical tools needed to fully exploit experimental data in the flavour sector, implementing state-of-the art calculations in a consistent framework within the SM or in any New Physics (NP) model discovered by (or not ruled out by) direct searches; ii) determining the flavour structure of the effective Lagrangian that describes energies up to the TeV scale and above, combining direct searches with flavour data; iii) searching for a fundamental mechanism of flavour symmetry breaking that can justify the flavour structure of TeV-scale physics. This fundamental mechanism should address both the SM flavour puzzle, i.e. the origin of masses and mixings of quarks and leptons, and the NP flavour puzzle, i.e. the mechanism protecting TeV-scale NP from causing large deviations from the SM predictions in the flavour observables we have measured so far. The main support requested to the ERC is for hiring six experienced researchers, the rest of the funds are for optimizing the effectiveness of the team and the research environment.

Keywords: flavour physics,cp violation,physics beyond the standard model
Plasmonics-based Energy Harvesting for Catalysis (PLASMHACAT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: Belgium,Japan
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499120.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499120.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Many critical photochemical and photophysical processes, from photosynthesis in plants, to photocatalytic reactions, and to generation of electricity in solar cells, depend on an efficient light-matter interaction. In order to increase, for example, the efficiency of photocatalysis, the interaction of the photocatalyst with light has to be increased. This project will pursue two lines of investigation in order to achieve this. Firstly, the concept of light-harvesting will be exploited. Light energy can be harvested by collecting, directing and concentrating it at a reaction center, in a fashion that mimics that used by plants. Secondly, for specific types of catalysis such as noble metal nano-particle (NP) based catalysis, the plasmon light field at the metal NPs can potentially be used to enable a more efficient light-matter interaction. The applicant proposes to combine both approaches, to create a plasmonic antenna to funnel light to a reaction center, whilst at the same time using the plasmons generated as an efficient reaction field in catalysis. The outcome will make it possible to drastically increase activities of (photo)catalysts, enabling their efficient operation under sunlight or even in weak room light conditions. For this, the project firstly adevelops novel photo-induced synthesis for metal NPs, both in solution and at surfaces, as well as at arranging the NPs in effective antennae. Secondly, microscopy modes will be developed/implemented that allow monitoring the growth of the NPs in situ, that allow checking the quality of the arrays and that allow in situ monitoring of catalytic test reactions. These knowledge will be applied to ‘real world’ (photo)catalysts (gold NP catalysis and TiO2, respectively). This project will thus result in new light-induced synthesis and fabrication methods of NPs; in new and/or improved microscopy modes and spectroscopic schemes in order to study the relationship between plasmonic properties and chemical reactions.

Keywords: plasmonics,surface plasmon,plasmon antenna,catalysis,photocatalysis,high resolution microscopy
Atomic Quantum Metrology (AQUMET)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1387000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1387000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to detect magnetic fields with high spatial and temporal resolution and unprecedented sensitivity using ultra-cold atoms as interferometric sensors. The project will, on the one hand, test and demonstrate the most advanced concepts in the dynamic field of quantum metrology, and on the other hand, develop measurement techniques with the potential to transform existing fields and open new ones to study. Quantum metrology is in an exciting phase: on the one hand, a long-held goal of improving gravita- tional wave detection appears near at hand. At the same time, atomic instruments including atomic clocks, atomic gravimeters and atomic magnetometers are setting records in detection of time, ac- celeration, and fields, with revolutionary potential in several areas. This has stimulated new theory, including remarkable proposals suggesting that long-established “ultimate” limits can in fact be sur- passed. This project will study quantum metrology applied to atomic sensors by developing a versatile and highly sensitive cold atom magnetometer. We set an ambitious goal: to demonstrate record sensi- tivity, and then to improve on that sensitivity using quantum entanglement. This ground-breaking accomplishment will show the way to super-precise measurements in many fields. Fundamental topics in quantum metrology will be explored using the advanced magnetometry sys- tem. Nonlinear quantum metrology proposes to surpass the Heisenberg limit using inter-particle interactions. Compressed sensing aims to surpass the Nyquist limit, obtaining more information than normally allowed.

Keywords: quantum metrology,cold atomic ensembles,squeezing,entanglement
Cycle-Sculpted Strong Field Optics (CYFI)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: Austria
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2015-06-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 980000.0
EU funding (EUR): 980000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The past decade saw a remarkable progress in the development of attosecond technologies based on the use of intense few-cycle optical pulses. The control over the underlying single-cycle phenomena, such as the higher-order harmonic generation by an ionized and subsequently re-scattered electronic wave packet, has become routine once the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of an amplified laser pulse was stabilized, opening the way to maintain the shot-to-shot reproducible pulse electric field. Drawing on a mix of several laser technologies and phase-control concepts, this proposal aims to take strong-field optical tools to a conceptually new level: from adjusting the intensity and timing of a principal half-cycle to achieving a full-fledged multicolor Fourier synthesis of the optical cycle dynamics by controlling a multi-dimensional space of carrier frequencies, relative, and absolute phases. The applicant and his team, through their unique expertise in the CEP control and optical amplification methods, are currently best positioned to pioneer the development of an optical programmable “attosecond optical shaper” and attain the relevant multicolor pulse intensity levels of PW/cm2. This will enable an immediate pursuit of several exciting strong-field applications that can be jump-started by the emergence of a technique for the fully-controlled cycle sculpting and would rely on the relevant experimental capabilities already established in the applicant’s emerging group. We show that even the simplest form of an incommensurate-frequency synthesizer can potentially solve the long-standing debate on the mechanism of strong-field rectification. More advanced waveforms will be employed to dramatically enhance coherent X ray yield, trace the time profile of attosecond ionization in transparent bulk solids, and potentially control the result of molecular dissociation by influencing electronic coherences in polyatomic molecules.

Keywords: carrier-envelope phase,fourier synthesis,optical parametric amplification,higher-order harmonic generation,tunneling ionization,laser plasma
Integrated software platform for Green ENgineering dESIgn and product sustainability (G.EN.ESI)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies - NMP
Destination: New production
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Italy,United Kingdom,France,United Kingdom,France,Germany
Call:  (FP7-NMP-2011-SMALL-5, 2011)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2015-01-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4120713.2
EU funding (EUR): 2994000.0
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

The project (36 months long) aims at developing a software engineering platform, called G.EN.ESI for eco-design and product sustainability of electronic and mechatronic products. G.EN.ESI is realized through a set of new tools that support designers’ choices from an environmental point of view. These tools allow to evaluate technical solutions in the early design phases and their impact on the whole product life cycle. The platform is the physical implementation of a eco-design methodology that aims at three objectives: speed, diffusion, and usability. Firstly it allows a rapid environmental assessment of design choices since the early stages of conception and design. Secondly, it promotes both the diffusion of the principles and instruments of the eco-design and their usability in technical design departments. That is possible through the simplification of analysis technologies and their integration with traditional tools used in the process of product development. The industrial field of reference, where the methodology and the tools are tested, regards small and large appliances. In terms of environmental impact all the phases of product life cycle (from production to disposal) are important and the parameters to be controlled at design time are several. Materials, processes, assembly methods, packaging, transport systems, geographical location of use and disassembly methods are just some of the elements that should be considered.

Keywords: ecodesign,lca,eco-materials,dismantling,household appliances
Food and nutrition in the 21st century (FOODCONFERENCE)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology
Destination: Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Poland
Call:  (FP7-Adhoc-2007-13, 2007)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2012-05-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 188149.2
EU funding (EUR): 79983.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The agri-food industry is one of the most important sectors of EU economy while proper nutrition is essential for health and well being of European citizen. It is estimated that almost 80 % of heart disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes, and 40 % of cancers, could be avoided by proper diet. However, both production of healthy food and promotion of healthy nutrition face serious challenges, like global climate changes and its impact on food security and safety, increasing global food demand, food waste, or high incidence of diet-related diseases and bad dietary habits in most of developed countries. European Union recognizes the importance of these challenges and they had been addressed in several research programmes and strategic documents. However, there is still a need for a throughout discussion of all the aspects of food and nutrition research and policy with major players, like representatives of policy makers, consumers, agriculture, industry and science. Thus, the Polish Technology Platform on Food come up with an initiative to organize a conference “Food and Nutrition in 21st Century” within Polish Presidency in the EU. The main objective of the Conference is to review the most important challenges to European agri-food sector as well as the impact of a diet on health and well-being of European population, in the context of the new European policies. The outcome of the discussion should assist the European Commission in identifying the strategic research needs and their coherence with EU policies in areas linked directly or indirectly to food and nutrition. The Conference should also help to elaborate a common cooperation floor for the existing EU Technological Platforms and research centres active in broadly-defined area of food and nutrition and shall contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the European science and bio-based economy.

Keywords: food,nutrition,conference
Functional membranes/ filters with anti/low-fouling surfaces for water purification through selective adsorption on biobased nanocrystals and fibrils (NANOSELECT)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies - NMP
Destination: Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Sweden,Finland,United Kingdom,Switzerland,Slovenia,Sweden,Sweden,Spain,Spain
Call:  (FP7-NMP-2011-SMALL-5, 2011)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2016-01-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5064913.64
EU funding (EUR): 3820899.0
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

NanoSelect aims to design, develop and optimize novel bio-based foams/filters/membranes/adsorbent materials with high and specific selectivity using nanocellulose/nanochitin and combinations thereof for decentralized industrial and domestic water treatment. NanoSelect proposes a novel water purification approach combining the physical filtration process and the adsorption process exploring the capability of the nanocellulose and/or nanochitin (with or without functionalization) to selectively adsorb, store and desorb contaminants from industrial water and drinking water while passing through a highly porous or permeable membrane. Stable membranes/ filters that withstand the flux, pressure etc during the purification process with out compromising on the perm selectivity will be developed by methodologies including control of pore size, orientation of pores, layered multiple functionality, ALD treatment of the porous surface etc. Functional external stimuli sensitive filter surfaces for reduced bio fouling and enhanced filter cleaning or intelligent design of membrane modules allowing self cleaning will be attempted for antifouling and to increase the service-life of the membranes.NanoSelect focuses on the design, development and testing of membrane based prototypes in collaboration with industry with specific focus on the removal of toxic chemicals, heavy metal ions, pesticides, fertilizers etc from contaminated industrial water and portable modules with high selectivity towards bacteria for drinking water. In addition, the membranes will be evaluated for disposal by composting and its impact on environment, at the end-of-life.These biobased functional membranes provides a highly energy efficient but cheaper, biodegradable, non-toxic and green substrate for water treatment. The successful completion of NanoSelect will have far-reaching impact in decentralised water treatment technolog in developing, transitional as well as the industralised countries

Keywords: nanocellulose,nanochitin,membranes,selective adsorption,decentralised water purification,antifouling,heavy metal recovery
Neural codes for space in complex multi-scale environments: Insights from the bat (NEUROBAT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and neural disorders
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101109, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2016-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499999.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499999.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Studies of spatial navigation and neural codes for space have followed two parallel tracks over the last 100 years: One research approach was to study animal navigation in the wild over large spatial scales (kilometers); this approach focused on non-mammalian species and on behavioral studies, with hardly any research on the underlying brain mechanisms. The other approach was to study the navigation of mammals (mostly rats) in mazes and small arenas; this approach revealed 'place cells' in the hippocampus, neurons that become active at specific locations; and 'grid cells' in entorhinal cortex – neurons that respond when the animal passes through the vertices of a hexagonal grid spanning the entire environment. However, it is unknown whether place- and grid-cells are relevant at all to large-scale navigation over kilometers. Thus, there is a large gap between the two parallel approaches to studying spatial memory and navigation – both a conceptual gap, and a gap in spatial scale. Here, we propose to bridge this gap, by recording from place cells and grid cells in a flying mammal – the bat – while it moves in 4 different environments of varying sizes, from centimeters to kilometers. We will conduct both standard (tethered) and wireless neural recordings, and will also pioneer the development of a novel sonar-based virtual reality system for studying large-scale navigation. The same neurons will be recorded across different spatial scales, which will allow comparing various neural-coding schemes. These new setups will allow the first testing for the existence of kilometer-sized hippocampal place-fields and entorhinal grids, in bats navigating through naturalistic virtual landscapes; they will also provide rich information on neural codes for 2-D and 3-D space in the mammalian brain. Our innovative project is expected to provide – for the first time – a true understanding of the brain mechanisms of large-scale, realistic navigation in complex 3-D environments.

Keywords: hippocampus,place cells,entorhinal cortex,grid cells,neurophysiology,spatial representation,navigation,bats,echolocation
Innovative strategies, methods and tools for occupational risks management of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in the construction industry (SCAFFOLD)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies - NMP
Destination: Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Spain,France,Greece,Poland,Spain,Spain,United Kingdom,Germany,Finland,United States,Romania,Romania
Call:  (FP7-NMP-2011-SMALL-5, 2011)
Start date: 2012-05-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3710014.8
EU funding (EUR): 2537000.0
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

Manufacturated nanomaterials and nanocomposites are being considered for various uses in the construction industry and related infrastructure industries, not only for enhancing material properties and functions but also in the context of energy conservation. Despite the current relatively high cost of nano-enabled products, their use in construction materials is likely to increase because of highly valuable properties imparted at relatively low additive ratios, rapid development of new applications and decreasing cost of base MNMs as they are produced in larger quantities. Thus the use of nano-products in the construction industry is a reality and can be expected to grow in the near future. Consequently, there is a general uncertainty with respect to health and safety risks and how to properly manage them to protect workers and be in compliance with OHS legislation. SCAFFOLD is an industrial oriented idea specifically addressed to provide practical, robust, easy-to-use and cost effective solutions for the European construction industry, regarding current uncertainties about occupational exposure to MNMs. This will be achieved by introducing a new paradigm to improve workers protection against NMs in construction, based on a novel holistic Risk Management approach (RMM). The aim of the SCAFFOLD project is to develop, test, validate and disseminate a new holistic, consistent and cost effective Risk Management Model (RMM) to manage occupational exposure to MNMs in the construction sector. This will be done by integration of a set of innovative strategies, methods and tools developed by the project into consistent state-of-the-art safety management systems (OHSAS 18001 + ISO31000).

Keywords: occupational risk,risk assessment,risk prevention,risk protection,risk communication,risk management,construction industry,mnms,nanomaterials exposure.