In 2015, one century after Einstein predicted their existence, scientists observed gravitational waves (GW) for the first time. GWs are ripples in the interwoven space-time fabric, which is able to stretch, shrink and jiggle. Complementary low frequency GW observations would naturally complete and enhance the results obtained. The scientific potential of multi-frequency GW astronomy is enormous, in terms of providing a deep view into the cosmos, inaccessible otherwise. This is a unique new opportunity for the future of astronomy, whose success depends on the decisions being made by infrastructures now. The proposal to construct, in space, a Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) to investigate frequency sources at very low frequency gives a partial, long term answer to this challenge. Nevertheless, it will leave the infrasound (mHz to tens of Hz) band uncovered, and an underground gravitational wave antenna can provide a quick response to this problem. The European Laboratory for Gravitation and Atom-interferometric Research (ELGAR) proposes to design the first long-baseline infrastructure using quantum physics to study space-time and gravitation. It will directly inherit from the Matter-wave laser Interferometer Gravitation Antenna (MIGA) large equipment under construction in France, and will derive pan-European synergies from top research centers developing quantum sensors in Europe, such as the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology as well as the Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space-Time Research in Germany. Likewise, leading quantum sensor laboratories from France, Italy, and Greece will join top research centers in geophysics and in GW astronomy from France, Italy, Germany and Spain. The future infrastructure will focus on enabling GW observation in the infrasound region. However, applications might extend to a larger community, including geology, fundamental physics, gravitation and general relativity. The design study would address all key conceptual, technical, legal and financial questions to build a roadmap for the infrastructure to meet not only today's need, but also tomorrow's challenges. The ELGAR project was proposed in response to the EU calls H2020-INFRADEV-1-2014-1 and H2020-INFRADEV-2017-1. In both calls, ELGAR was ranked above the threshold but was not selected for funding. In response to the last design study call in 2017, the ELGAR project was gathering a large consortium of 18 partners from 6 EU countries (FR,DE,EL,IT,ES and UK). In this context, Pre-ELGAR will ensure an efficient networking activity in order to improve the proposal in view of a resubmission to the future INFRADEV-01-2019-2020 call. In Pre-ELGAR, a referent for each involved EU country will steer at national level the actions and the networking activities to build a successful project.

Functional devices for quantum information processing and communication must make use of appropriate matter-light interfaces. Their key role in bringing quantum devices towards practical applications is essential. Hence, building the conceptual and technological base for such interfaces will pave the way for the scalable quantum computation and quantum Internet. The overall objective of this proposal is to meet the critical challenge of studying, implementing and optimizing groundbreaking, dynamically-controlled interfaces between matter and light. Photons can efficiently and durably transmit quantum information over large distances; cold, trapped ions can be manipulated to enable high-fidelity quantum information processing, while atomic ensembles are particularly suited for long-lived quantum memories, as well as nonlinear generation of non-classical correlations between optical beams. The aim of PACE-IN project is the development of reliable quantum interfaces between atomic systems and photons. We shall develop and demonstrate massive parallel processing, storage and transmission of quantum information by hitherto unexploited collective, multimode quantum states or atomic ensembles and ionic crystals, and design methods to characterize the entanglement and non-classicality of quantum states transferred from atoms and ions to photons. Efficient interfacing mechanisms between “stationary” atomic qubits or ensembles and “flying” (photonic) quantum variables, whether discrete or continuous, must be robust and dynamically controllable to allow the best possible exploitation of their respective functionalities while maintaining the highest possible overall fidelity/coherence and speed. The scientific and technological challenge that will be addressed in this project is the conceptually and experimentally optimized quantum information processing and manipulation at interfaces for the successful implementation of scalable quantum technologies in combination with long distance quantum communication.

"Despite the progress made there is still a significant gap in the opportunities that young adults and adults with intellectual disabilities in European countries such as Greece, Poland, and Lithuania have for education and training or for participation in the social and economic spheres of life. Among the contributing factors are: a) the lack of trained educators or other staff working with people with intellectual disabilities on text transformation processes in forms that are adapted to the needs and language skills of such persons, and b) the low utilization of ICT for learning purposes with the use of adapted materials, both because of lack of educators' awareness about and availability of suitable digital tools and because they lack appropriate knowledge and skills.In response to this problem is proposed the transfer knowledge and experience from experts of the Swedish governmental agency for accessible media MTM on the use of the ""easy to read"" method, which facilitates the transformation of text into forms that are easily understandable by people with limited capabilities in reading. The expertise of the Rix Research of the East London University (UEL) in Britain, which is a pioneer in the development of applications friendly to people with disabilities, is also utilized to integrate the use of the ""easy to read"" method in environments designed specifically for people with limited reading comprehension capabilities. The Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) from Greece, which also has extensive experience in the development of related applications, will further contribute to this effort.The main part of the project focuses on training professionals from Greece, Poland and Lithuania who work in agencies providing educational services for people with intellectual disabilities. These bodies are doing exceptional work and are well networked in their countries. An international team of 12 professionals will be trained in two short training sessions by the MTM specialists on the ""easy to read"" method and by the UEL specialists on how to exploit the potentials offered by new technologies for people with intellectual disabilities. During the project there will be developed a manual on the ""easy to read"" method and learning material with the latest developments in the field of electronic applications for people with intellectual disabilities. Research will further be conducted in Greece, Lithuania and Poland to assess the needs of people with intellectual disabilities for information and learning on human rights issues. The above will lead to the development of an e-learning platform and mobile application with information and learning materials in ""easy to read"" format on human rights issues, and finally to the design and pilot testing in EL, LT and PL of a series of lesson plans that utilize the ""easy to read"" method for the education of people with intellectual disabilities on their basic rights. The implementation of the project is expected to motivate more professionals and organizations to develop their skills and use ""easy to read"" texts through electronic applications for the benefit of people with intellectual disabilities. It is also expected to produce important information / educational materials and tools in ""easy to read"" format, for free use by any person with difficulties in reading comprehension. The benefits of the project are significant and extend beyond the end of its life-cycle. It is expected to empower significantly professionals and organizations in the field and widen considerably the learning opportunities of people with difficulties in reading comprehension."

The DiPET project investigates models and techniques that enable distributed stream processing applications to seamlessly span and redistribute across fog and edge computing systems. The goal is to utilize devices dispersed through the network that are geographically closer to users to reduce network latency and to increase the available network bandwidth. However, the network that user devices are connected to is dynamic. For example, mobile devices connect to different base stations as they roam, and fog devices may be intermittently unavailable for computing. In order to maximally leverage the heterogeneous compute and network resources present in these dynamic networks, the DiPET project pursues a bold approach based on transprecise computing. Transprecise computing states that computation need not always be exact and proposes a disciplined trade-off of precision against accuracy, which impacts on computational effort, energy efficiency, memory usage and communication bandwidth and latency. Transprecise computing allows to dynamically adapt the precision of computation depending on the context and available resources. This creates new dimensions to the problem of scheduling distributed stream applications in fog and edge computing environments and will lead to schedules with superior performance, energy efficiency and user experience. The DiPET project will demonstrate the feasibility of this unique approach by developing a transprecise stream processing application framework and transprecision-aware middleware. Use cases in video analytics and network intrusion detection will guide the research and underpin technology demonstrators.

Brain function relies upon a complex, coordinated function of neurons, glial cells and blood vessels, which in neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease is disrupted. The EPIGRAPH project proposes the design and development of graphene biomolecular sensors, with graphene organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) neurotransmitter delivery, and electrophysiological electrodes integrated in an “all-in-one or single device/platform” for the prediction and control of epileptic seizures (towards a general intervention tool for most brain disorders). Specifically the main objectives are to: i) develop a graphene based biomolecular sensor for glucose and/or lactate detection using state-of-the-art laser processing techniques; ii) intervene pharmacologically to control brain activity via graphene-based OEIP electrophoretic drug delivery devices; iii) integrate the biomolecular sensor, the ion pump and the electrophysiological sensor into a single device that will enable combined electrophysiological and molecular measurements under in vitro/ex vivo (brain slice models) and in vivo environments (in situ animal model). The innovative function of this integrated single device is to provide treatment where and when it is needed. The “where” is provided by the local delivery made by the pump, and the “when” is provided by the molecular sensor if a predictive biomarker is found. EPIGRAPH will explore the potential of the device to provide local control of brain activity in vivo. A closed loop system will be developed that predicts and stops seizures in an animal model. Graphene provides an optimal foundation for this lab-on-a-chip as it provides flexibility, high-performance, bio-compatibility, etc. The addition of organic electronics provides a unique opportunity to add ion (and charged biomolecule) signalling to the bio-tech interface. In this project, we will address the current limitations in technology for interfacing with neural signalling using “organic neuroelectronics” – bioelectronic tools developed specifically for precise neurochemical interfacing – and provide more profound understanding of neural dynamics and better therapies for neurological disorders. The main challenge of such technology is to be able to generalize this device to a variety of brain disorders, to measure and intervene on brain function where and when it is necessary. EPIGRAPH, a high-throughput medical device, will have a broad impact on different disciplines such as Neuroscience, Pharmaceutics, Bioelectronics, and Biomedical devices and also on the rapidly developing fields of biosensors, bioelectronics and GRMs. EPIGRAPH directly addresses the Flagship topic of Graphene-Applied Research and Innovation and in particular the specific area of 9. GRM based bioelectronics technologies. It is foreseen to fit with the scope of Work Packages 5 (on Biomedical Technologies) and WP6 (on Biosensors) of the Graphene Flagship Core Project.