The project TopologiCal ApproacH to Artificial NeurAL NetworKS (CHALKS) will focus on the study of Artificial Neural Networks architecture based on computational topology approaches and sheaf theory. More specifically, towards Explainability, we plan to study the data representations through the different hidden layers of ANNs and track the topological complexity evolution. Then, we want to characterize the needed architecture based on the topological complexity.

NEUTON is an interdisciplinary project aimed at getting a better knowledge of the NEUTrino OscillatioN phenomenon through the development and implementation of innovative neutrino interaction models in long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments, while reducing experimental uncertainties, and shortening running time and experimental operation costs. This proposal will be jointly developed in collaboration with the renowned Super-Kamiokande and T2K experiments, the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR, University of Tokyo) and the University of Seville. The research objectives are focused on: 1) the implementation of realistic neutrino-nucleus reactions models into experimental event generators to improve the determination of neutrino oscillation parameters and mass hierarchy, and 2) the discovery and measurement of CP-symmetry violation in the neutrino sector. The achievement of these objectives will be a crucial input towards understanding the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe and other open questions in Physics, such as the search for dark matter through sterile neutrinos, the proton decay and the analysis of supernovae explosions. The precise knowledge of these properties in long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments largely depends on an accurate description of neutrino interactions, which constitutes one of the largest experimental uncertainties. Accordingly, in NEUTON we will improve and implement the sophisticated SuSAv2-MEC neutrino interaction model in event generators (NEUT and GENIE), which has proved its capability to describe neutrino data in a wide energy range, being a promising candidate to reduce the experimental systematics needed to answer the above mentioned open questions in Physics as well as to significantly shorten the required running time and the experimental costs of current and next-generation neutrino experiments.

Despite significant advancements in offshore wind turbines (OWTs), effective life cycle assessment remains a critical challenge. An emerging limiting factor in the lifespan of these structures is vortex-induced vibrations (VIV), which may occur during the installation process, before the towers are commissioned in offshore wind farms. Over several weeks, VIV can cause substantial oscillation amplitudes, potentially leading to significant fatigue damage before the OWTs are fully operational. This issue is becoming increasingly crucial as OWTs grow in size and reduce in weight. In this context, the VIV-WISE project aims to develop and verify a new multi-physics numerical framework to address this issue. This tool seeks to (1) surpass the accuracy of current state-of-the-art by integrating novel fluid-structure interaction methodologies with recent advancements in damage mechanics, specifically the Phase Field model for fracture, to provide insights into fatigue damage caused by VIV in metals - particularly cylindrical shells and welds. (2) Establish a guide for identifying cracks induced by VIV in pioneering wind tunnel experiments, and (3) assist in the OWT tower installation process, thereby preventing significant failures before operation. Hence, VIV-WISE addresses a complex, multi-disciplinary phenomenon that encompasses both solid and fluid mechanics. The proposed methodology will not only be valid for OWTs, but also for other industrial sectors where VIV-induced fatigue damage is a concern, such as chimneys, marine risers and bridges.

The huge mass of a star and its associated gravitational forces make the nuclei of hydrogen atoms collide and fuse, releasing energy in the form of energetic neutrons. This process, called nuclear fusion, has a very high energy density, and does not produce CO2 or long-lived radioactive waste. For these reasons, nuclear fusion has attracted the attention of scientists since the 1950s, who have tried to reproduce the conditions of a star in their laboratories. So far, tokamaks are the most promising prototype for a nuclear-fusion power plant on Earth. In particular, spherical tokamaks provide an attractive configuration due to their compactness and lower cost than conventional tokamaks. This would provide a means to mitigate the actual climate and energy crisis, using nuclear fusion to complement other renewable energies in a greener future. Control of the tokamak plant and associated systems, whose final goal is to confine a plasma by means of magnetic fields, is critical to attain the necessary conditions for nuclear fusion to happen. However, plasma control in spherical tokamaks requires specific solutions due to their challenging plasma shapes and pressures, which often trigger plasma instabilities. Under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions, the IMPACT project (Innovative Model-based Plasma Algorithms for Control of spherical Tokamaks) will design a state-of-the-art plasma-control system for spherical tokamaks and will deploy it on the SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak (SMART). Under this project, novel algorithms based on plasma dynamical models will be developed to tackle the newest control challenges in spherical tokamaks, including negative triangularity plasma shaping to enable higher plasma confinement and ensure safety of the tokamak reactor. This project will ensure the realization and sustainment of the plasmas needed in SMART, thus enabling and accelerating its scientific and technological mission to make nuclear fusion a reality.