Experiments have consistently shown that metallic materials display strong size effects at the micron scale, where the peculiar phenomenon “smaller is stronger” appears. Considering the exponentially increasing trend towards miniaturization, correct modeling of such effects has become inescapable in various high-technology fields, including microbotics, microelectronics, micromedicine, etc. As a result, a strong scientific effort has been devoted to the subject and numerous size-dependent theories have been proposed in recent years. Among them, strain gradient plasticity (SGP) theories, which can be seen as an extension of conventional plasticity to small scales, can particularly be cited. Including internal length scale(s), these theories are capable of predicting plastic deformation gradients, which correlate with size effects as experimentally observed and numerically predicted using dislocation mechanics. Thanks to their capabilities in capturing size effects, SGP theories have become increasingly used for the prediction of the size-dependent behavior of materials at the micron scale. However, despite the significant progress made on these theories, they still suffer from some fundamental issues, so far preventing their application to real engineering problems. The present project is proposed to address one of the most challenging of these issues: the physical nature of elastic gaps which are numerically observed using major of such theories. Almost all existing thermodynamically-consistent SGP theories including higher-order dissipation predict elastic gaps (delay in plastic flow) under certain non-proportional loading conditions. Nevertheless, to date, there is no experimental evidence nor is there small-scale numerical confirmation proving the existence of such gaps in reality. This represents a major source of confusion and uncertainty, preventing the development of robust SGP models that can be applied in a real industrial context. In the absence of works studying these gaps from a physical point of view, the scientific investment on SGP theories has reached a bifurcation point making the scientific community divided into those who consider elastic gaps as “unknown” size effects (then possibly physical) and those who see no physical reasons for their occurrence in reality, at least within a single-crystal, as they reflect an instantaneous finite change in the higher-order stresses. This project aims at clearing-up this ambiguity and at providing the compelling answer to the question "are elastic gaps physical?". To achieve its goals, the project will create a multi-disciplinary synergy between original small-scale experiments, implying, for the first time, non-proportional loading conditions, and extensive discrete-dislocation-based simulations. Results of the experimental and numerical investigations will then be considered to review major existing SGP theories, with the aim of developing the first single- and poly-crystal SGP models that are robust enough for real engineering applications. As an application, the proposed models will finally be used to investigate one of the most challenging small-scale problems: impact of size effects on the formability of ultra-thin sheet metals, which show an ever-growing use in various engineering fields.

AERIS aims to build an international, cross-sectoral network to advance atmospheric sciences by improving vertically-resolved atmospheric characterization techniques, including near-surface regions. The project unites European academic and commercial institutions with North and South American partners (LALINET). AERIS enhances measurement techniques, connects international observation programs, and creates opportunities for early warning systems, business innovation, and job creation. The main objective is to advance retrieval capabilities for biogenic and non-biogenic aerosols over South America, enabling data with applications in health, hydrology, air quality, and climate. This will support a regional early warning system with global implications, benefiting aviation, biodiversity, and space mission validation. Specific goals include: (1) Implementing quality assurance and calibration for vertically resolved and near-surface measurements; (2) Optimizing inversion algorithms for aerosol property retrievals; (3) Enhancing synergies between instruments to improve spatial and temporal data; (4) Developing predictive models linking aerosols to health impacts; and (5) Investigating aerosol-induced cloud nucleation and its effects on the hydrological cycle. South America faces critical atmospheric challenges with global consequences. Limited infrastructure and monitoring networks hinder accurate data collection and climate modeling, weakening public policies and international cooperation. AERIS addresses these challenges by integrating high-quality, vertically resolved atmospheric data with near-surface imagery, advancing aerosol characterization in South America. This unique database will strengthen regional and global atmospheric science. To achieve these goals, AERIS includes an ambitious consortium and proposes secondments, workshops, and training activities to foster a shared culture of research and innovation.

Mobility is essential to our modern world to move people and goods between places and countries to serve needs relating to food, energy and all human necessities. However, mobility and its benefits do not come without harm: all transport sectors are substantial emitters of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Furthermore, transport sectors, particularly aviation and maritime, are difficult to decarbonise by electrification, hence the combustion engines and turbines will remain in use for the foreseeable future. Energy efficiency increases and carbon-neutral fuels will reduce the climate impact of these technologies, but solutions are needed also to remove exhaust emissions completely, including those formed through secondary reactions in the atmosphere. Particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions are especially harmful, causing premature deaths and significant harm to humans and all global ecosystems. The PAREMPI project will reveal the contribution of the secondary aerosols (SecA) from transport sources to ambient PM2.5 levels via increased understanding of precursors, their atmospheric reactions and by a novel digital software (ePMI module) to be developed in the PAREMPI project. In combination with toxicity and health impact assessments, quantification of transport externalities will be improved. The consortium members are top-scientists in the research of the precursor emissions, SecA formation, and health impact of aerosols, many of them have focused in these topics all their careers and earlier collaboration assure seamless work. Consortium members have experts also on road, non-road, marine and aviation sectors, and on the emissions standards. Thus, the consortium is capable of formulating sound policy recommendations based on scientific evidence obtained. The PAREMPI results, efficiently disseminated, communicated and exploited, have the potential to significantly contribute to the goal of making transportation systems in Europe clean, secure, and efficient.