Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The physics of Earthquake faulting: learning from laboratory earthquake prediCTiON to Improve forecasts of the spectrum of tectoniC failure modes: TECTONIC (TECTONIC)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Earth system science
Panel description: Physical geography, geology, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, climatology, cryology, ecology, global environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, natural resources management
Countries involved: Italy
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2018-ADG, 2018)
Start date: 2020-01-01
End date: 2024-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3459750.0
EU funding (EUR): 2603500.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Earthquakes represent one of our greatest natural hazards. Even a modest improvement in the ability to forecast devastating events like the 2016 sequence that destroyed the villages of Amatrice and Norcia, Italy would save thousands of lives and billions of euros. Current efforts to forecast earthquakes are hampered by a lack of reliable lab or field observations. Moreover, even when changes in rock properties prior to failure (precursors) have been found, we have not known enough about the physics to rationally extrapolate lab results to tectonic faults and account for tectonic history, local plate motion, hydrogeology, or the local P/T/chemical environment. However, recent advances show: 1) clear and consistent precursors prior to earthquake-like failure in the lab and 2) that lab earthquakes can be predicted using machine learning (ML). These works show that stick-slip failure events –the lab equivalent of earthquakes– are preceded by a cascade of micro-failure events that radiate elastic energy in a manner that foretells catastrophic failure. Remarkably, ML predicts the failure time and in some cases the magnitude of lab earthquakes. Here, I propose to connect these results with field observations and use ML to search for earthquake precursors and build predictive models for tectonic faulting. This proposal will support acquisition and analysis of seismic and geodetic data and construction of new lab equipment to unravel earthquake physics, precursors and forecasts. I will use my background in earthquake source theory, ML, fault rheology, and geodesy to address the physics of earthquake precursors, the conditions under which they can be observed for tectonic faults and the extent to which ML can forecast the spectrum of fault slip modes. My multidisciplinary team will train the next generation of researchers in earthquake science and foster a new level of broad community collaboration.

Keywords: earthquakes,machine learning,prediction
Intelligent cancer therapy with synthetic biology methods (InCanTeSiMo)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
Panel description: Biotechnology using all organisms, biotechnology for environment and food applications, applied plant and animal sciences, bioengineering and synthetic biology, biomass and biofuels, biohazards
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2020-COG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2026-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

With InCanTeSiMo I aim to realize local delivery and activation of cancer-defeating synthetic circuits. Despite the advent of immunotherapy as promising treatment against a number of cancers, surgery, radio- or chemotherapy, alone or in combination, remain the most common interventions. While surgery and radiotherapy are mainly targeted to the cancer itself, chemotherapy has a systemic mode of action, affecting both healthy as well as diseased cells. An innovative way to fight cancer would be the use of synthetic circuits sensing the status of the cell into which they are delivered and acting only in response to a detected diseased status. This type of cancer therapy lends itself well to personalization, as each patient’s specific profile could be considered when designing the synthetic circuits. Since naked plasmid DNA cannot be simply released in the blood, the synthetic circuits must be encapsulated into protective vehicles, which should shield them from the immune system and accumulate them at the site of cancer. Moreover, to limit side effects due to the potential accumulation of the delivery vehicles in other body parts, it would be advantageous to locally activate the synthetic circuits with an external trigger, such as light. This would additionally allow activating the therapy at specific time points. This project comprises three major engineering efforts: 1) the establishment of cost-effective production of delivery vehicles able to specifically invade cancer cells; 2) the realization of new synthetic circuits functioning at the protein level that discern between healthy and cancer cells based on the amount of a metabolite and trigger apoptosis, or convert a pro-drug into the active drug, in the latter ones only; 3) the development of a novel red light-inducible protein-protein interaction tool.

Keywords: delivery vehicles,optogenetics
Delivering digital Energy Labelling solutions to enable consumer action on purchasing energy efficient appliances (Digi-Label)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Theme: Market uptake of energy innovation
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Italy,Spain,Belgium,Czechia,United States,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: Consumer engagement for sustainable energy (H2020-EE-2015-3-MarketUptake, 2015)
Start date: 2016-04-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1650034.63
EU funding (EUR): 1650033.25
Participants: 12
Project status: CLOSED

Digi-Label will design and deliver digital tools and solutions to compliment the EU energy label. Through these we aim to positively influence consumer buying choices and ultimately deliver greater energy savings and increased market share of the highest performing appliances. The consortium will target 4 of the top 5 EU economies – Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK – leveraging the biggest impact on energy saving – through established commitments from manufacturers and retailers to test and launch the digital solutions. The Digi-Label approach brings together a highly experienced consortium including CLASP, EEB, Fraunhofer, SEVEn and the Energy Saving Trust, with proven expertise in energy labelling of products, dissemination & communication, European and International project management of energy labelling programmes, manufacturer and retailer stakeholder relationship management, evaluation and consumer engagement.

Keywords: energy labelling
The influence of mechanical loading on the decline in bone mass with ageing (RESCBONE)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Osteoporosis is an age and gender-related condition characterised by reduced bone mass, impaired micro-architecture and increased risk of low-trauma fractures. Osteoporosis-related fractures are a major health concern and impose a huge economic burden on European health care systems. In the young, bone adapts its mass and architecture in response to strains engendered by mechanical loading. However, this response in blunted in the aged. We have shown that the anabolic response to load is similarly impaired in an age and gender-related manner in mice. Counter-intuitively, this response can be “rescued” in aged female mice if short periods of loading are imposed against a background of disuse rather than activity. We hypothesise that this “rescue” involves increased recruitment of bone forming osteoblasts. The primary objective of this proposal is, to establish whether the age and gender-related decline in bone’s adaptive response to mechanical loading in mice can be attributed to insufficient recruitment of osteoblasts necessary to form new bone and, if so, whether this deficiency can be “rescued” by appropriate manipulation of bones’ loading environment. To achieve the objectives in this proposal, we will investigate bones from aged male and female mice, which have been subjected to mechanical loading with or without prior disuse. These will be compared with similarly treated bones of young mice. Our studies should further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the age-related decline in bones’ adaptive response to mechanical loading. We hope that these studies could identify novel therapeutic targets to augment bones’ natural anabolic response to physical activity/loading. This could be of particular relevance in maintaining bone mass in situations of aging, paralysis or even space flight. The proposal will strengthen the CV of the applicant and further collaboration between European laboratories.

Keywords: bone,mouse,mechanical loading,immunohistochemistry,micro array
Ultrastructural analysis of phosphoinositides in nerve terminals: distribution, dynamics and physiological roles in synaptic transmission (ALPINE)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Austria
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-04-01
End date: 2020-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 178156.8
EU funding (EUR): 178156.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Phosphoinositides (PIs) are minor components of cell membranes, and play important roles in cellular functions. In chemical synapses in mammalian brain, each PI distributes different subcellular areas in nerve terminals, and cooperate with many proteins to regulate synaptic transmission machinery. To understand how PIs regulate synaptic transmission, the ultrastructural distribution pattern and dynamics of PIs at nerve terminals are crucial because PIs may functionally interact with proteins at domains of nano-meter ranges called active zones (AZs) or peri-AZs. However, their ultrastructural distribution and dynamics in nerve terminals are poorly investigated because of some technical difficulties. This research project aims to investigate (1) the ultrastructural distribution of PIs at AZs and peri-AZs in nerve terminals, (2) co-localization of PIs with presynaptic proteins related to synaptic transmission, (3) the ultrastructural dynamics of PIs and PI-protein coupling during synaptic transmission, and (4) the physiological roles of PI-protein couplings in synaptic transmission, using electron microscopic and electrophysiological techniques combined with optogenetics and biochemical tools. These highly-interdisciplinary approaches will unveil the physiological roles of PIs and PI-protein couplings in synaptic transmission, and is expected to give a fundamental breakthrough in understanding mechanisms of synaptic transmission.

Keywords: phosphoinositides,freeze fracture,synaptic transmission,immunoelectron microscopy,patch clamp,optogenetics
High powEr density FC System for Aerial Passenger VEhicle fueled by liquid HydrogeN (HEAVEN)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: FCH2 (Art-187)
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Spain,Germany,Slovenia,France
Call: Fuel cell systems for the propulsion of aerial passenger vehicle (H2020-JTI-FCH-2018-1, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2023-09-30
Duration (months): 57.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6903128.81
EU funding (EUR): 3995305.0
Participants: 8
Project status: SIGNED

The main goal of HEAVEN project is to design, develop and integrate a powertrain based on high power fuel cell and cryogenic technology into an existing 2-4 seats aircraft for testing in flight operation. Specifically, the project proposes to design a modular architecture with modular systems that can be scale-up to other sizes of aircrafts and UAV applications. The design methodology is complemented with safety and regulation analysis. Regarding the fuel cell technology, two high power PEM fuel cell systems of 45 kW based on metallic bipolar plates will be adapted for aircraft applications and integrated with optimized balance of plant components to obtain an enhanced 90kW fuel cell system able to propel without support of a battery the aircraft operating modes. The hydrogen storage will be based on cryogenic technology successfully applied in previous space applications in order to achieve a gravimetric index of about 15% for a hydrogen payload between 10 and 25 kg that provides an autonomy range to the demonstrator of 5-8 hours. Moreover, HEAVEN project will leverage existing drivetrain components and an aircraft demonstrator in order to achieve an overall and successful TRL6 at the end of the project. The technology developments will be enriched with economic and business assessments during the execution of the project. Thus, HEAVEN will produce estimations of a total cost of ownership for the entire life cycle of the technology and business plan for the deployment of the technology in different aeronautics applications. Finally, HEAVEN consortium comprises large companies, SMEs and well-known research center with a strong experience and knowledge in fuel cell technology development for aeronautic applications that is supported with the participation in previous relevant H2020 projects and national projects.

Keywords: fuel cell,cryogenics
PALEOcene greenhouse climate and the effect of basalt weathering on CARBON sequestration (PALEOCARBON)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Ireland,Ireland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-09-01
End date: 2023-05-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 294886.09
EU funding (EUR): 294886.08
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement brought nations together to mitigate anthropogenic climate change, with the aim to keep global temperature rise below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Artificially enhanced weathering of basalt, driven by intensified geochemical and biological processes that naturally promote the absorption of CO2, is considered as a potentially significant negative emissions technology. However, the impact of climate change and elevated greenhouse conditions on the rate and processes of basalt weathering and the role of plants in mediating this process are unconstrained. This Marie Skłodowska Curie Individual Fellowship will address this uncertainty by a multidisciplinary study on silicate weathering of basalts during the Paleocene climatic greenhouse world, using state-of-the-art botanical and geochemical proxies, tools and methods in the PALEOCARBON project. The project will focus on three main objectives: (1) Quantifying elevated Paleocene pCO2, temperature and precipitation levels using fossil leaves; (2) Constraining processes & intensity of silicate weathering and carbon drawdown potential in Paleocene basalts; (3) Quantifying elemental uptake of plants grown in high pCO2 laboratory conditions, to constrain the role of plant in mediating weathering processes. The fellow will work with and bring together Irish and international world-experts in the development and application of botany-based climatic and atmospheric proxies (prof. Jennifer McElwain), and basalt (silicate) weathering processes (prof. Frank McDermott), to accomplish the PALEOCARBON research-objectives on constraining fundamental end-member parameters that control the efficiency of (artificially) enhanced weathering as a potential negative carbon emissions technology. This prestigious fellowship will enable the fellow to attain career maturity and independence, and to become a leader in the European research community.

Keywords: earth system processes,silicate weathering,paleocene climate reconstruction
Laser control over crystal nucleation (CONTROL)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2018-ADG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-09-01
End date: 2025-02-28
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2488162.5
EU funding (EUR): 2488162.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The CONTROL programme I propose here is a five-year programme of frontier research to develop a novel platform for the manipulation of phase transitions, crystal nucleation, and polymorph control based on a novel optical-tweezing technique and plasmonics. About 20 years ago, it was shown that lasers can nucleate crystals in super-saturated solution and might even be able to select the polymorph that crystallises. However, no theoretical model was found explaining the results and little progress was made. In a recent publication (Nat. Chem. 10, 506 (2018)), we showed that laser-induced nucleation can be understood in terms of the harnessing of concentration fluctuations near a liquid–liquid critical point using optical tweezing. This breakthrough opens the way to a research programme with risky, ambitious, and ground-breaking long-term aims: full control over crystal nucleation including chirality and polymorphism. New optical and microscopic techniques will be developed to allow laser manipulation on a massively parallel scale and chiral nucleation using twisted light. Systematically characterising and manipulating the phase behaviour of mixtures, will allow the use of the optical-tweezing effect to effectively control the crystallisation of small molecules, peptides, proteins, and polymers. Exploiting nanostructures will allow parallelisation on a vast scale and fine control over chirality and polymorph selection through plasmonic tweezing. Even partial success in the five years of the programme will lead to fundamental new insights and technological breakthroughs. These breakthroughs will be exploited for future commercial applications towards the end of the project.

Keywords: crystal nucleation,phase transitions,optical tweezing,microscopy,plasmonic tweezing
Recycling carbon dioxide in the cement industry to produce added-value additives: a step towards a CO2 circular economy (RECODE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, and Biotechnology
Theme: Sustainable, resource-efficient and low-carbon technologies in energy-intensive process industries
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Italy,Italy,Italy,Italy,Germany,Germany,Italy,Greece,Belgium,Greece,Lithuania,Netherlands,Netherlands
Call: Carbon dioxide utilisation to produce added value chemicals (H2020-SPIRE-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2017-08-01
End date: 2022-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 7904415.0
EU funding (EUR): 7904415.0
Participants: 16
Project status: CLOSED

CO2 from the flue gases of a rotary kiln in a cement industry (CO2: 25 vol%) will be used for the production of value-added chemicals (acid additives for cement formulations) and materials (CaCO3 nanoparticles to be used as concrete fillers). A circular-economy-approach is enabled: the CO2 produced by cement manufacturing is re-used in a significant part within the plant itself to produce better cement-related products entailing less energy intensity and related CO2 emissions by a quadratic effect. Ionic liquids (bare or amine-functionalised) will be the key technological playground for the efficient and cost-effective (<30 €/ton) purification of CO2 to a purity grade sufficient for the above mentioned utilisation paths. A dedicated pilot plant (flue gas flow rate: 50 Nm3/h) will be developed, based on the knowledge-based selection of the best ionic-liquids composition and operating conditions. Within a final TRL 6 integrated system demo campaign, the thereby derived CO2 will be utilised in parallel to: -) promote the precipitation of nano-CaCO3 powders which act as strength enhancer and accelerator of the hydration rate. -) synthesize through electrocatalytic and catalytic pathways formic acid, oxalic acid and glycine to be used as hardening acceleration promoters, grinding aids or ionic liquids additives, respectively. Distinctive features of the RECODE approach are the high process intensification and scale-up-ability; the use of low-grade heat sources; the meaningful reduction of CO2 emissions (>20% accounting for direct and indirect means) and the good market potential of their products at a mass production scale. The first two years of the project will be focused on the development of key functional materials and process units at TRL 4-5, the third year on the assembly of single-process lines certified at TRL 5-6, and the fourth year on the assembly and testing at a cement manufacturing site (TITAN) of the TRL 6 integrated CO2 process.

Keywords: ionic liquids,calcium carbonate nanoparticles,carboxilic acids,cement industry,co2 purification,co2 utilization