Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Z phase strengthened steels for ultra-supercritical power plants (Z-ULTRA)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies - NMP
Destination: Materials
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Denmark,Czechia,Georgia,Sweden,Austria,Germany,Armenia,Ukraine
Call:  (FP7-NMP-2012-SMALL-6, 2012)
Start date: 2013-02-01
End date: 2016-07-31
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3602229.0
EU funding (EUR): 2548067.0
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

The aim is to develop a heat resistant steel with a 100 000 hour creep strength of 100 MPa at 650°C. This allows increasing the thermal efficiency of fossil power plants to over 50%, which is 30% higher than the present standard in most existing power plants. The CO2 emissions are reduced accordingly. The consortium combines the expertise of a steelmaker, two utility companies, an engineering consultant company from Ukraine and eight research organizations and universities from EU and Eastern Partnership countries. The idea is to exploit the Z phase as a thermodynamically stable strengthening agent in martensitic creep resistant steels. Previously the Z phase has been considered as detrimental, since the coarse Z-phase particles that develop during long time service in high-chromium steels hardly contribute to the strength while growing at the expense of the fine, strengthening nitride particles. However, high chromium contents around 12% are needed, since the current 9% chromium steels do not provide sufficient oxidation resistance at 650°C. Hence the challenge is to control the precipitation of the Z phase in 12% Cr steels such that fine Z particles are formed, which are stable for long times. An important aspect is that the beneficial microstructure should be established also by the post-weld heat treatment. To achieve the goal, test melts containing different alloying elements are prepared and subjected to different heat treatments. Welding consumables and processes are also tested. Since a purely empirical alloy development is time consuming and costly, the process is supported by microstructural investigations on an atomic scale. Similarly, multiscale modelling methods are developed and applied to Z-phase strengthened steels. Modelling not only enhances the fundamental understanding of the strengthening and degradation mechanisms, but also provides design tools and lifetime estimation methods for the safe and reliable operation of future power plants.

Keywords: power plant efficiency,z phase hardened steel,welding,atom probe tomography,multiscale modelling
Development of a Direct Laser Joining of hybrid Plastic-Metal components for industrial applications (PMJOIN)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies - NMP
Destination: Materials
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Spain,Germany,France,France,France,Germany,Spain,Belgium
Call:  (FP7-NMP-2012-SMALL-6, 2012)
Start date: 2013-02-01
End date: 2016-01-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3881927.8
EU funding (EUR): 2670335.0
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

Automotive industry is looking for reducing energy consumption by using lightweight structures instead of some metal parts. This fact is causing the introduction of plastic sections. But, as metals cannot be excluded as fundamental material in many applications; many products are made of multi-components where several types of materials are introduced. Up to date, the stable joining of plastics and metals is not easy and takes place by methods as adhesive bonding or mechanical joining, that involve a large number of production steps. The present project aims to overcome their disadvantages trough the development of a new innovative joining concept for Plastic and Metal materials using a direct non-contact laser joining process without extra filler, adhesive bonds or mechanical union but that offers a robust physical and mechanical bonding and ensures the integrity of the structure. The PM laser joint herein presented is led to offer higher process flexibility compared to mechanical joints especially through the use of flexible beam guiding systems. Compared to adhesive bonding solutions it can be much faster with high joint resistance and same flexibility but without contaminant risks. In addition, the shortening of the process chain will lead to a more economical and faster production. Another important aim of this project fits with a general requirement for technical components which is to achieve flexible automatic joining prototypes for dissimilar plastic-metal materials with short cycle times and a broad field of applications. The consortium counts with three large companies like FAURECIA, PSA and VALEO as end users mainly dedicated to automotive sector, LASEA as SME laser source integrator and ANDALTEC as high-tech SME supporting innovation in the plastic field. The consortium is complemented with ILT, TEKNIKER and ARMINES, research Centers of excellence in laser, manufacturing and material characterization topics.

Keywords: direct laser joining,hybrid funtional parts,plastic-metal components
Phase contrast X-ray imaging for medicine (PHASEX)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2012-StG_20111109, 2012)
Start date: 2012-11-01
End date: 2017-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499300.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499300.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The goal of this grant is to introduce grating-based phase contrast enhanced X-ray imaging as a novel diagnostic tool in human medicine. We will first gain fundamental knowledge to master high-energy grating-based phase contrast imaging and develop novel radiological equipment at the demonstrator/prototype level to perform phase contrast enhanced investigation in human patients in-vivo. In a second phase, we will investigate in depth how our novel method applies to a few pivotal medical fields like mammography, vascular- and musculoskeletal diseases. In these areas there is a strong need for radiological investigations with improved density discrimination, specifically for early breast cancer detection, plaques visualization and cartilage, tendons or ligaments imaging. No hospital or clinical infrastructure in the world can perform phase contrast enhanced X-ray radiological investigations: therefore our discoveries will constitute an enormous impact in this field.

Keywords: phase contrast x.-ray imaging
Investigating Hereditary Cancer Predisposition – a combined genomics approach (IHCAP)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2012-StG_20111109, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-01
End date: 2019-04-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1446560.0
EU funding (EUR): 1446560.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Background: Hereditary cancer is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and over the last 20 years, the majority of highly penetrant risk alleles such as BRCA1, BRCA2 in breast cancer and APC, MLH1, MSH2 in colon cancer have been identified. However, there are many men and women who have a strong family of cancer for whom we cannot provide answers because no mutation is found in known genes. Objectives: i) To identify new candidate breast cancer susceptibility loci by an innovative combination of exome sequencing technology and genome-wide allele-specific expression analysis of BRCA1/2-negative women with strong family histories of BC. This approach will be complemented by exomic sequencing of carefully selected matched cohorts of women with unilateral and bilateral breast cancer on whom extensive demographic and clinical data is available. ii) To study selected gene candidates in more detail at the DNA, RNA and protein level. iii) To apply the knowledge gained in the genomic study of breast cancer to other cancer predisposition syndromes. Significance: At present, the new combined approach of EST and ASE has several advantages over the alternative option of whole genome sequencing in the identification of rare functional variants; not only will EST plus ASE be cheaper and faster than a whole genome sequencing approach, but it will also allow us to explore the potentially unappreciated roles of allelic silencing (through regulatory or epigenetic variants) in cancer susceptibility, which would not be captured using genomic sequencing in isolation. We will commence the project with breast cancer families and then apply the same approach to other types of hereditary cancers. This proposal is focused on individuals who face a truly high risk for cancer but for whom predictive information is lacking and therefore this proposal is likely to have a direct translational benefit.

Keywords: breast cancer,hereditary cancer,genome analysis
Molecular Mechanisms of GABAergic synapse formation: spatial segregation in cortical inhibitory inputs (SYNAPDOMAIN)

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: United Kingdom,Spain
Call:  (ERC-2012-StG_20111109, 2012)
Start date: 2013-01-01
End date: 2018-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499999.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499999.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Neuronal circuitries underlying the function of the mammalian cerebral cortex collectively constitute one of the most complex biological systems. As such, unraveling the mechanisms that control their development represents one of the most challenging questions in Science. Understanding this process is also an imperative need in biomedicine, because abnormal wiring is thought to cause severe neuropsychiatric disorders. During development, the astonishing specificity of neuronal wiring is achieved by the coordination of multiple cues, which first guide axons to the right target area, then to the proper cellular partner and, finally, to the precise subcellular compartment onto which synapses will be formed. Subcellular segregation of synapses occurs for all types of inputs, but it reaches its highest diversity for inhibitory GABAergic terminals. Much is known about the general machinery controlling axon guidance in the developing brain; in contrast, the mechanisms of synapse segregation remain largely unknown. The goal of this proposal is to identify molecules involved in subcellular domain-restricted GABAergic synapse targeting. To this aim, we will carry out a candidate approach strategy and an unbiased genomic screening comparing neurons obtained from specific populations of interneurons that make synapses into different subcellular compartments. Promising candidates will then be tested by gain and loss of function experiments using confocal and two-photon microscopy in vivo and cell biology analyses in vitro. To confirm the functional relevance of candidate molecules, we will combine optogenetics tools with gain and loss of function approaches in slices cultures. Unraveling the mechanisms that control the precise spatial organization of synapse formation during development may have a major impact in our knowledge, from understanding plasticity in the healthy brain to identifying wiring abnormalities in disease.

Keywords: synapse formation,interneurons,inhibitory synapses,synapse compartimentalization
Starting an electrical conversation between microorganisms and electrodes to achieve bioproduction (ELECTROTALK)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Applied life sciences and biotechnology
Countries involved: Belgium
Call:  (ERC-2012-StG_20111109, 2012)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1494125.6
EU funding (EUR): 1494125.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Electrochemically active bacteria enable a host of novel processes in bioproduction, bioenergy and bioremediation. Key to the success of these processes is effective adherence of the bacterial cells to an electrode surface and subsequent equally effective electron exchange with the electrode. While the cellular mechanisms for electron transfer are increasingly known, what drives bacterial adsorption and desorption to positively or negatively polarized electrodes is largely unknown. Particularly processes driven by cathodes tend to be slow, and suffer from limited microbial adherence and lack of growth of the microorganisms. ELECTROTALK aims at developing a mechanistic understanding of mobility towards and microbial adherence at surfaces, from single cell level to complete biofilm formation. Based on this knowledge, effectively catalyzed bio-electrodes will be developed for novel bioproduction processes. Such bioproduction processes, termed microbial electrosynthesis, are independent of arable land availability, promise high production densities and enable the capture of CO2 or more efficient resource-usage for a range of products. Understanding the nature of the microorganism-electrode interaction will create a window of opportunity to improve this process and achieve effective bioproduction. Moreover, as the electrical interaction directly relates to microbial activity electrodes may serve as a means to start up a conversation with the cells. To achieve our aims we will: (i) select and characterize biocatalysts both as pure cultures and microbial communities; (ii) investigate cell adherence and electron transfer in function of electrode topography and chemistry as well as under different operational conditions; (iii) develop an electrode-microorganism combination achieving effective electron transfer; and (iv) electrochemically construct biofilms with defined structure or stratification.

Keywords: bioelectrochemical system,microbial fuel cell,extracellular electron transfer,biofilm
Explore the potentialities of multi-print chips for diagnostic research (MULTICHIP)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2011-PoC, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2013-09-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.47
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

MULTICHIP production of a multiplexed microarrays provides an exciting business opportunity. MULTICHIP offers unique advantages in areas of large societal importance, such as public health, and environmental safety. Multiplexed microarrays, i.e. arrays with a high number of different biomolecules, are attractive for rapid screening such as early detection of cancer and farm animal diseases, and multitoxin screening of ecosystems. Conventional array production methods lack in quality or multiplexing abilities. Moreover, technologies like dip-pen nanolithography require intensive training of personnel, which seriously limits the potential user groups. MULTICHIP enables easy, cheap production of multiplexed arrays by stamping biomolecules. Extensive re-use ( up to 75 times) of stamps is possible and MULTICHIP can be used to stamp a wide range (10 kDa – 1 MDa) of biomolecules. MULTICHIP can also stamp on soft surfaces, which is of particular importance for tissue engineering, and reconstructive medicine. These factors greatly enhance application potential. Stamping techniques have been suggested earlier, but as hydrogels are used for storage of biomolecules in the stamp reservoirs, lifetime, re-use capability (maximum 4-5 times), and range of biomolecules (maximum 150 kDa) that can be stamped are extremely limited. Stamping is only feasible on hard surfaces. In MULTICHIP innovative, robust macroporous polymeric networks are used for biomolecules storage, creating a breakthrough in multiplexed microarray production. In this project, a business case will be developed for MULTICHIP, covering different markets, and routes for market introduction. Results of market analysis (market size and segmentation, expected sales and financing needs) will be combined with science-based technology comparison into comprehensive documentation for discussion with potential industry partners. Several industries already have expressed their interest in MULTICHIP.

Keywords: 259183
High-Throughput Injection Device for Applications in Liquid Separations (MULTIPLEXLC)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2011-PoC, 2011)
Start date: 2012-05-01
End date: 2013-04-30
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 170000.0
EU funding (EUR): 136960.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The objective of this innovation project is the development of a marketable technique that combines information technology and chemical analysis by the use of multiplexing to inherently increase the sample throughput in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). High-throughput measurements are desired in the continuous analysis of fine chemicals, drugs, and to discover new catalysts for sustainable chemical processes in industrial applications as well as for widening the spectrum of synthetic methodologies and techniques in chemistry. A high-speed multiplexing-injector will be designed based on the integration of multiple well-plate samplers, which will be individually addressed by encoding sequences for high-throughput sampling in HPLC. A robust computer application will be developed to access the data of the multiplexed and overlapping data obtained by this technique. For the new instrument it is necessary to investigate and characterize in detail the influence of the time interval according to the Hadamard sequences to encode sample injections, the achievable peak width by the injection pulse and the dependency on the encoding sequence length. Optimized parameters are essential for a marketable instrument. This includes the design of electronics to control the injection devices and software to drive the electronics and to apply pseudo-random sequences to the injection devices. It can be expected that the here proposed innovation has a near-market potential as commercially available injection devices can be used in combination with the developed software and electronics. This multiplexing technique will have far reaching applications, not only in chemistry but also in life sciences, clinical diagnostics and other analytical applications used in research and industry, because we can expect a sample throughput increase by a minimum factor of about 10. Its overall impact is expected to be comparable to FT techniques in IR and NMR spectroscopy.

Keywords: 258740
SUMOrice: Exploiting an emerging protein modification system, SUMOylation to boost rice yield during drought and salt stress (SUMORICE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Applied life sciences and biotechnology
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2012-StG_20111109, 2012)
Start date: 2013-04-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1487965.0
EU funding (EUR): 1487965.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

To feed 9 billion people by 2050 is an unprecedented challenge. Rice is the food source for the majority of the world's population but also a model for cereals. Drought and related high salinity during essential periods of plant growth affects nearly all crops including the major cereals such as rice causing drastic yield losses. A major goal of plant biology is to develop crop cultivars that are "drought and salt resistant", defined as those that have higher yields than standard cultivars under these environmental stresses. However plant responses to drought and salinity are overlapping and complex involving many physiological pathways controlled by cascades of molecular networks. This makes engineering drought and salt resistance in crops possible but very challenging unless we identify molecular mechanisms (‘Master’ co-ordinators) that can influence multiple signalling networks to produce an integrated stress response. Crop improvement programmes that target these ‘Master’ co-ordinators will have the greatest potential for yield increase. We have discovered that SUMOylation, an emerging protein modification mechanism can be recruited to co-ordinate multiple molecular response pathways to dramatically improve plant growth on high salinity and during drought stress. This groundbreaking and exclusive discovery ideally places us to exploit this finding to generate stress resistant crops. SUMOrice is a pioneering interdisciplinary proposal that uses an innovative approach to produce novel alleles of genes regulating multiple stress signaling cascades. To achieve this we will use an unconventional blend of 2 platform technologies (SUMO proteomics, ecoTILLING) to produce drought and high salt resistant rice. SUMOrice is 5-year project that brings together a team of 4 scientists (PI (50%), postdoc, technician, senior scientist in proteomics) with complementary skills in molecular biology, biophysics, biochemistry, cereal genetics and stress biology to achieve these aims.

Keywords: proteomics,cereals,phytohormones