Despite the dramatic impact of earthquakes, the physics of their onset and the short-term behavior of fault are still poorly understood. Using existing high quality seismic observations, we propose to develop a novel functional imaging of the brittle crust to clarify not only structural properties but also the dynamics of faults. We will analyze spatio-temporal changes of elastic properties around fault zones to highlight the interplay between changes in the host rocks and fault slip. Imaging the damage structure around faults and its evolution requires new seismological methods. With novel methods to image the highly heterogeneous fault regions, we will provide multi-scale descriptions of fault zones, including their laterally variable thicknesses and depth dependence. In parallel we will image temporal changes of seismic velocities and scattering strength. External natural forcing terms (e.g. tides, seasonal hydrologic loadings) will be modeled to isolate the signals of tectonic origin. This will also allow us to monitor the evolving seismic susceptibility, i.e. a measure of the proximity to a critical state of failure. Improved earthquake detection techniques using ‘deep machine learning’ methods will facilitate tracking the evolution of rock damage. The imaging and monitoring will provide time-lapse images of elastic moduli, susceptibility and seismicity. The observed short-time changes of the materials will be included in slip initiation models coupling the weakening of both the friction and the damaged host rocks. Laboratory experiments will shed light on the transition of behavior from granular (shallow fault core) to cohesive (distant host rock) materials. Our initial data cover two well-studied fault regions of high earthquake probability (Southern California and the Marmara region, Turkey) and an area of induced seismicity (Groningen). The derived results and new versatile imaging and monitoring techniques can have fundamental social and economic impacts.

Fast axonal transport (FAT) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for brain function. It depends on huntingtin (HTT), the protein that when mutated causes Huntington’s disease (HD), a devastating and still incurable disorder. Unmet scientific needs: BDNF is regulated by neuronal activity and its transport requires energy. Yet we do not know if FAT of BDNF is regulated by neuronal activity and if HTT facilitates activity-dependent transport. The energy sources for FAT of BDNF and their regulation by activity remain unclear, as do the exact mechanisms of BDNF transport reduction in the HD-causing mutation. Novel hypothesis: HTT plays a key role in channeling energy by coupling energy production by glycolytic enzymes on vesicles to consumption by molecular motors for efficient axonal transport. This function is altered in HD and plays a crucial role in disease progression. By providing energy directly to vesicles, we can restore transport and slow down neurodegeneration in HD. Aim 1: investigate energy sources for axonal transport and their regulation by HTT upon high neuronal activity. Aim 2: investigate how pathogenic mutation in HTT affects response to neuronal activity and vesicles capacity to produce energy. Aim 3: restore energy sources in HD to rescue axonal transport and slow down neurodegeneration. Impact. This work will advance the understanding on how electrical activity essential for brain function regulates energy metabolism to fuel transport, specifically transport of BDNF. We will reveal essential new knowledge on the HTT function and dysfunction. This will likely lead to novel therapeutic strategies for HD. Feasibility: we have expertise in developing innovative microfluidic circuits for studying axonal transport in reconstituted neuronal circuits and in identifying new metabolic and signaling pathways. This, together with my expertise on HTT biology, puts my lab in a unique position to fulfill this ambitious programme.

Society is becoming more vulnerable to natural climate variability through increasing exposure of people and infrastructure. Notably, floods are among the most destructive natural hazards causing widespread loss of life, damage to infrastructure and economic deprivation. Robust knowledge about their future trends is therefore crucial for the sustainable development of societies worldwide, particularly in sensitive areas such as Western Mediterranean. This Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term variability of hazardous (high-impact) floods at different temporal and spatial scales. Through this action the Experienced Researcher (ER) will work within the Hydro-Meteorology, Climate and Society Interactions (HMCIS) group at the Host Institution (IGE) to develop a high-impact flood database in Western Mediterranean. State-of-the art statistical tools applied to the flood database will allow the ER i) to evaluate, for the first time, the causes of non-stationarity in the long-term flood pattern evolution at a sub-continental scale and; ii) to investigate the role of the climate variability on the high-impact flood patterns at centennial to millennial time-scales in W Mediterranean. The ER has expertise in high-resolution proxies of flood events contained in lacustrine and fluvial sediments. He aims to obtain specific training in geo-statistical tools applied to Flood Hydrology at the Host Organization. This MSCA project will significantly contribute to the career development of the researcher and will enhance our current understanding of the natural variability of floods and its trace in the sedimentary record. Therefore, this study will help to address major concerns in relation to flood hazards and adaptation strategies in line with the European engagement with climate change (EU report 2012, Horizon 2020, Climate Action) and the EU Floods directive (2007/60/EC).

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are promising materials to support the goal to make EU climate-neutral by 2050, and promote the growth of many industrial sectors such as biomedical. Thanks to their amorphous nature, BMGs offer an outstanding combination of high strength, corrosion/wear resistance and biocompability. Recently, Additive Manufacturing (AM) has been proposed as a solution to tackle the size limitation of the conventional casting production of BMGs. Still, many challenges remain to develop defect-free parts with mechanical performances comparable to their as-cast counterparts. In addition, to date, no post-processes can be applied to close porosity and improve quality without altering the amorphous state of the material. The project ROSAMA2 hosted by SIMaP in Grenoble aims to develop a RObust and Sustainable Additive Manufacturing of Amorphous Metallic Alloys by laser powder bed fusion. In situ X-ray microtomography will enable the 3D reconstruction of the deposited material layer-by-layer using a unique miniature system designed for usage at synchrotrons. The high brilliance of the radiation will reveal the quality of the powder bed, the morphology of the deposited material, the presence of defects in its volume and their evolution upon processing. Doing so, strategies to eliminate porosity in situ will be proposed. The printed BMGs will be evaluated to determine the role of defects, structural and chemical heterogeneities on the mechanical performances, by means of X-ray nanotomography, advanced thermal analyses, high resolution microscopy, nano-indentation and compression testing. In a final effort, strategies to enhance powder recyclability and limit pick-up of oxygen, harmful to the glass forming ability, will be developed, and the role of process atmosphere composition will be considered. Besides strengthening EU’s position on the AM market, ROSAMA2 will develop and consolidate Dr. Pauzon’s profile and secure future position in academia and industry.