Project acronym UMWP-CHIP
Project Universal microwave photonics programmable processor for seamlessly interfacing wireless and optical ICT systems
Researcher (PI) JOSE CAPMANY FRANCOY
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE7, ERC-2016-ADG
Summary Information and communication technology (ICT) systems are expanding at an awesome pace in terms of capacity demand, number of connected end-users and required infrastructure. To cope with these rapidly increasing growth rates there is a need for a flexible, scalable and future-proof solution for seamlessly interfacing the wireless and photonic segments of communication networks.
RF or Microwave photonics (MWP), is the best positioned technology to provide the required flexible, adaptive and future-proof physical layer with unrivalled characteristics. Its widespread use is however limited by the high-cost, non-compact and heavy nature of its systems. Integrated Microwave Photonics (IMWP) targets the incorporation of MWP functionalities in photonic chips to obtain cost-effective and reduced space, weight and power consumption systems. IMWP has demonstrated some functionalities in through application specific photonic circuits (ASPICs), yielding almost as many technologies as applications and preventing cost-effective industrial manufacturing processes. A radically different approach is based on a universal or general-purpose programmable photonic integrated circuit (PIC) capable of performing with the same hardware architecture the main required functionalities. The aim of this project is the design, implementation and validation of such processor based on the novel concept of photonic waveguide mesh optical core and its integration in a Silicon Photonics chip. Its three specific objectives are: (1) The architecture design and optimization of a technology-agnostic universal MWP programmable signal processor, (2) The chip mask design, fabrication and testing of the processor and (3) The experimental demonstration and validation of the processor. Targeting record values in bandwidth and footprint its potential impact will be very large by unlocking bandwidth bottlenecks and providing seamless interfacing of the fiber and wireless segments in future ICT systems.
Summary
Information and communication technology (ICT) systems are expanding at an awesome pace in terms of capacity demand, number of connected end-users and required infrastructure. To cope with these rapidly increasing growth rates there is a need for a flexible, scalable and future-proof solution for seamlessly interfacing the wireless and photonic segments of communication networks.
RF or Microwave photonics (MWP), is the best positioned technology to provide the required flexible, adaptive and future-proof physical layer with unrivalled characteristics. Its widespread use is however limited by the high-cost, non-compact and heavy nature of its systems. Integrated Microwave Photonics (IMWP) targets the incorporation of MWP functionalities in photonic chips to obtain cost-effective and reduced space, weight and power consumption systems. IMWP has demonstrated some functionalities in through application specific photonic circuits (ASPICs), yielding almost as many technologies as applications and preventing cost-effective industrial manufacturing processes. A radically different approach is based on a universal or general-purpose programmable photonic integrated circuit (PIC) capable of performing with the same hardware architecture the main required functionalities. The aim of this project is the design, implementation and validation of such processor based on the novel concept of photonic waveguide mesh optical core and its integration in a Silicon Photonics chip. Its three specific objectives are: (1) The architecture design and optimization of a technology-agnostic universal MWP programmable signal processor, (2) The chip mask design, fabrication and testing of the processor and (3) The experimental demonstration and validation of the processor. Targeting record values in bandwidth and footprint its potential impact will be very large by unlocking bandwidth bottlenecks and providing seamless interfacing of the fiber and wireless segments in future ICT systems.
Max ERC Funding
2 494 444 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-07-01, End date: 2022-06-30
Project acronym VERDI
Project polyValent mEsopoRous nanosystem for bone DIseases
Researcher (PI) Maria VALLET-REGI
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2015-AdG
Summary Finding simple solutions to complex problems has been a challenge for humankind for decades. VERDI aims at designing a multifunctional nanosystem to heal complex bone diseases. This is an engineering challenge that will be tackled through the use of building blocks designed on the basis of cutting-edge technology. These building blocks will be assembled into a versatile multifunctional nanosystem that can be adapted through slight variations for the treatment of three diseases of clinical relevance: bone infection, bone cancer and osteoporosis. The novelty of this proposal is the design of a nanosystem that may address several diseases using a unique, versatile and scalable strategy. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles are selected as the main component of the nanoplatform because of their biocompatibility, robustness, loading capacity and versatile surface modification. The nanosystem will be modified by rational selection of building blocks, with targeting and/or therapeutic abilities, to tackle either one or a combination of pathologies. These features will enable us to deliver a library of nanomedicines using a toolbox of building blocks, customizing a specific nanosystem depending on the disease to be treated. The risks associated to VERDI are numerous, such as the great complexity of producing completely asymmetrical nanoparticles (NPs), the risk that modifying a drug or therapeutic peptide will affect its therapeutic efficacy, and the difficulty of achieving effective in vivo bone targeted NPs. A contingency plan for each risk has been elaborated. The expertise and capacities of my research group guarantees successful results, which we expect to lead to a revolution in the therapy of bone cancer, bone infection and osteoporosis. Additionally, the application of a single technology for the treatment of three different but frequently associated diseases will favour industrial scale-up process, thereby promoting the transition of nanomedicine from bench to bedside.
Summary
Finding simple solutions to complex problems has been a challenge for humankind for decades. VERDI aims at designing a multifunctional nanosystem to heal complex bone diseases. This is an engineering challenge that will be tackled through the use of building blocks designed on the basis of cutting-edge technology. These building blocks will be assembled into a versatile multifunctional nanosystem that can be adapted through slight variations for the treatment of three diseases of clinical relevance: bone infection, bone cancer and osteoporosis. The novelty of this proposal is the design of a nanosystem that may address several diseases using a unique, versatile and scalable strategy. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles are selected as the main component of the nanoplatform because of their biocompatibility, robustness, loading capacity and versatile surface modification. The nanosystem will be modified by rational selection of building blocks, with targeting and/or therapeutic abilities, to tackle either one or a combination of pathologies. These features will enable us to deliver a library of nanomedicines using a toolbox of building blocks, customizing a specific nanosystem depending on the disease to be treated. The risks associated to VERDI are numerous, such as the great complexity of producing completely asymmetrical nanoparticles (NPs), the risk that modifying a drug or therapeutic peptide will affect its therapeutic efficacy, and the difficulty of achieving effective in vivo bone targeted NPs. A contingency plan for each risk has been elaborated. The expertise and capacities of my research group guarantees successful results, which we expect to lead to a revolution in the therapy of bone cancer, bone infection and osteoporosis. Additionally, the application of a single technology for the treatment of three different but frequently associated diseases will favour industrial scale-up process, thereby promoting the transition of nanomedicine from bench to bedside.
Max ERC Funding
2 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-10-01, End date: 2021-09-30
Project acronym VIP
Project Voxel Imaging PET Pathfinder
Researcher (PI) Mokhtar Chmeissani Raad
Host Institution (HI) INSTITUTO DE FISICA DE ALTAS ENERGIAS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS7, ERC-2009-AdG
Summary Positron-Emission-Tomography (PET) scanners play an important role in cancer diagnosis and molecular imaging. Their accuracy overtakes that of the conventional diagnostics systems. They are used, alone or in combination with other imaging systems, such as CT or MRI. The current best detectors for PET are based on LSO crystals that are usually made of 4mm x 4mm x 10mm coupled to PMT, APD, or similar photon-sensitive device. At best, the FWHM that can be achieved at 511keV is around 10%. This limited energy resolution limits the ability to remove scattered events which are a significant noise contribution to the reconstructed image. The typical length (in the radial direction) of the LSO crystals is about 10mm, which implies a significant uncertainty of the impact point in the radial direction and this induces an error in the projection of the Line of Response. This error deteriorates the quality of the reconstructed image. Pixel-PET uses pixel solid-state-detector coupled to front end electronics. With this novel detector one can achieve the followings: 1- millimeter-size voxel, this means no more parallax effect and hence precise LOR; 2-FWHM energy resolution of less than 1% for 511keV photons. This allows us to eliminate most of the scattered events and thus keep the golden events; 3- Have adequate depth of absorption to achieve high detection efficiency (90%) for 511keV photon; 4- The modular detector has trapezoidal parallelepiped shape thus making it seamless compared to the existing PET system; 5- The conceptual design can be modified to construct a Flat panel detector (Gamma Camera); 6-The design is compatible with MRI making it ideal for Brain imaging. Preliminary Geant4 simulation results, using Derenzo Phantom with Pixel-PET detector suggests that one can achieve the same image quality of the current PET devices but using 25 times less dose.
Summary
Positron-Emission-Tomography (PET) scanners play an important role in cancer diagnosis and molecular imaging. Their accuracy overtakes that of the conventional diagnostics systems. They are used, alone or in combination with other imaging systems, such as CT or MRI. The current best detectors for PET are based on LSO crystals that are usually made of 4mm x 4mm x 10mm coupled to PMT, APD, or similar photon-sensitive device. At best, the FWHM that can be achieved at 511keV is around 10%. This limited energy resolution limits the ability to remove scattered events which are a significant noise contribution to the reconstructed image. The typical length (in the radial direction) of the LSO crystals is about 10mm, which implies a significant uncertainty of the impact point in the radial direction and this induces an error in the projection of the Line of Response. This error deteriorates the quality of the reconstructed image. Pixel-PET uses pixel solid-state-detector coupled to front end electronics. With this novel detector one can achieve the followings: 1- millimeter-size voxel, this means no more parallax effect and hence precise LOR; 2-FWHM energy resolution of less than 1% for 511keV photons. This allows us to eliminate most of the scattered events and thus keep the golden events; 3- Have adequate depth of absorption to achieve high detection efficiency (90%) for 511keV photon; 4- The modular detector has trapezoidal parallelepiped shape thus making it seamless compared to the existing PET system; 5- The conceptual design can be modified to construct a Flat panel detector (Gamma Camera); 6-The design is compatible with MRI making it ideal for Brain imaging. Preliminary Geant4 simulation results, using Derenzo Phantom with Pixel-PET detector suggests that one can achieve the same image quality of the current PET devices but using 25 times less dose.
Max ERC Funding
2 044 400 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-07-01, End date: 2015-06-30
Project acronym VIRMETAL
Project Virtual Design, Virtual Processing and Virtual Testing of Metallic Materials
Researcher (PI) Francisco Javier Llorca Martinez
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACION IMDEA MATERIALES
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2014-ADG
Summary The project VIRMETAL is aimed at developing multiscale modeling strategies to carry out virtual design, virtual processing and virtual testing of advanced metallic alloys for engineering applications so new materials can be designed, tested and optimized before they are actually manufactured in the laboratory. The focus of the project is on materials engineering i.e. understanding how the structure of the materials develops during processing (virtual processing), the relationship between this structure and the properties (virtual testing) and how to select materials for a given application (virtual design).
Multiscale modeling will be tackled using a bottom-up, hierarchical, modeling approach. Modeling efforts will begin with ab initio simulations and bridging of the length and time scales will be accomplished through different multiscale strategies which will encompass the whole range of length and time scales required by virtual design, virtual processing and virtual testing. Nevertheless, not everything can or should be computed and critical experiments are an integral part of the research program for the calibration and validation of the multiscale strategies.
The research will be focused on two cast metallic alloys from the Al-Si-Mg and Mg-Al-Zn systems. The expected breakthrough is precisely to demonstrate that the structure and properties of two standard engineering alloys of considerable industrial interest can be obtained from first principles by bridging a cascade of modeling tools at the different length scales. Once this is proven, further research will lead to the continuous expansion of both the number and the capability of multiscale simulation tools, leading to widespread application of Computational Materials Engineering in academia and industry. This will foster the implementation of this new revolutionary technology in leading European industries from aerospace, automotive, rail transport, energy generation and engineering sectors.
Summary
The project VIRMETAL is aimed at developing multiscale modeling strategies to carry out virtual design, virtual processing and virtual testing of advanced metallic alloys for engineering applications so new materials can be designed, tested and optimized before they are actually manufactured in the laboratory. The focus of the project is on materials engineering i.e. understanding how the structure of the materials develops during processing (virtual processing), the relationship between this structure and the properties (virtual testing) and how to select materials for a given application (virtual design).
Multiscale modeling will be tackled using a bottom-up, hierarchical, modeling approach. Modeling efforts will begin with ab initio simulations and bridging of the length and time scales will be accomplished through different multiscale strategies which will encompass the whole range of length and time scales required by virtual design, virtual processing and virtual testing. Nevertheless, not everything can or should be computed and critical experiments are an integral part of the research program for the calibration and validation of the multiscale strategies.
The research will be focused on two cast metallic alloys from the Al-Si-Mg and Mg-Al-Zn systems. The expected breakthrough is precisely to demonstrate that the structure and properties of two standard engineering alloys of considerable industrial interest can be obtained from first principles by bridging a cascade of modeling tools at the different length scales. Once this is proven, further research will lead to the continuous expansion of both the number and the capability of multiscale simulation tools, leading to widespread application of Computational Materials Engineering in academia and industry. This will foster the implementation of this new revolutionary technology in leading European industries from aerospace, automotive, rail transport, energy generation and engineering sectors.
Max ERC Funding
2 466 250 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-11-01, End date: 2020-10-31
Project acronym ViroPedTher
Project Oncolytic viruses for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors: An integrated clinical and lab approach
Researcher (PI) marta ALONSO-ROLDAN
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DE NAVARRA
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS7, ERC-2018-COG
Summary The overreaching goal of my lab is to improve the prognosis of patients with high-risk pediatric brain tumors. To this end, I propose to integrate clinical and lab-based research to develop tumor-targeted oncolytic adenoviruses with the capacity to elicit a therapeutic immune response in those tumors. Our research will use novel and relevant models to accomplish the experimental aims. We have previously worked with Delta-24-RGD (DNX-2401) a replication-competent adenovirus that has been translated to the clinical scenario. In 2017, the first clinical trial phase I with DNX-2401 for newly diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG; a lethal pediatric brain tumor) opened propelled by my team. Preliminary results from the first trials revealed that the intratumoral injection of the virus instigated an initial phase of oncolysis followed by a delayed inflammatory response that ultimately resulted in complete regression in a subset of the patients without associated toxicities. I hypothesized that enhancement of the immune component of the DNX-2401-based therapy will result in the complete regression of the vast majority of pediatric brain tumors. In our specific approach, we propose to understand the immune microenvironment of DIPGs and the response to viral therapy in the context of the trial. Moreover, that knowledge will leverage the design of Delta-24-based adenoviruses to recruit lymphocytes to the tumor with the competence of different type of ligands to activate the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. I expect that this combinatorial innovative treatment will efficiently challenge the profound and inherent tumor immunosuppression and, in turn, will elicit a robust anti-tumor immune response resulting in the significant improvement of the prognosis and quality of life of patients with pediatric brain tumors. This project has the potential to produce a vertical advance in the field of pediatric oncology.
Summary
The overreaching goal of my lab is to improve the prognosis of patients with high-risk pediatric brain tumors. To this end, I propose to integrate clinical and lab-based research to develop tumor-targeted oncolytic adenoviruses with the capacity to elicit a therapeutic immune response in those tumors. Our research will use novel and relevant models to accomplish the experimental aims. We have previously worked with Delta-24-RGD (DNX-2401) a replication-competent adenovirus that has been translated to the clinical scenario. In 2017, the first clinical trial phase I with DNX-2401 for newly diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG; a lethal pediatric brain tumor) opened propelled by my team. Preliminary results from the first trials revealed that the intratumoral injection of the virus instigated an initial phase of oncolysis followed by a delayed inflammatory response that ultimately resulted in complete regression in a subset of the patients without associated toxicities. I hypothesized that enhancement of the immune component of the DNX-2401-based therapy will result in the complete regression of the vast majority of pediatric brain tumors. In our specific approach, we propose to understand the immune microenvironment of DIPGs and the response to viral therapy in the context of the trial. Moreover, that knowledge will leverage the design of Delta-24-based adenoviruses to recruit lymphocytes to the tumor with the competence of different type of ligands to activate the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. I expect that this combinatorial innovative treatment will efficiently challenge the profound and inherent tumor immunosuppression and, in turn, will elicit a robust anti-tumor immune response resulting in the significant improvement of the prognosis and quality of life of patients with pediatric brain tumors. This project has the potential to produce a vertical advance in the field of pediatric oncology.
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-03-01, End date: 2024-02-29
