Booklet CNRS Activities in ASEAN and Oceania 2020

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

DIRECTORS OVERVIEW

CNRS asserts its presence within the global research ecosystem thanks to a long-term commitment to dense scientific networks and an ability to initiate, structure and maintain international cooperation with prestigious partners. Our international deployment is backed by a network of 8 representative offices, which monitor, support and contribute to the development of several structuring cooperation schemes. Until 2019, the Singapore office was responsible for the 10 ASEAN countries. It extends now to Oceania, to support the development of our partnerships with Australia and New Zealand.

Better structuring CNRS partnerships with Oceania while maintaining a high level of cooperation with Singapore and other ASEAN countries is in line with the President of the Republic's affirmation of the strategic importance for France of the Indo-Pacific axis and the identification of our strategic partners, notably Australia, India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. The CNRS, through its offices in Delhi, Tokyo, Beijing and Singapore, is part of the stabilizing and inclusive French presence in a region which, because of its mass and demographic and economic dynamism, and its level of energy intensity, represents a major global challenge for the worldwide collective security, economic development, innovation, environment and health.

Unsurprisingly, Singapore with its four International Research Laboratories (IRL) and its three recently launched International Research Projects (IRP) concentrates most of the CNRS partnerships in ASEAN. This predominance will be reinforced by the first steps taken by the CNRS@CREATE subsidiary, created in 2019, which sees the launch in October 2020 of three "intra-create" projects, each worth 4 million SGD and lasting three years. CNRS@CREATE has also launched the construction of a large collaborative program in artificial intelligence dedicated to decision-making in critical urban systems, called DESCARTES, which will run for five years. This program will be submitted in early 2021, within the framework of NRF's CREATE, for evaluation and possible selection in mid-2021. Activities are also significant in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, with 4 IRP operational and two IRL among which IRASEC, based in Bangkok, which could extend its activities to Singapore from 2021.

The extension of the Singapore office's area of competence to Oceania responds to the growing interest of the French scientific community in partnerships with Australia and New Zealand. The remarkable growth in the number of structuring schemes in 2020 in these two countries : 3 IRP, 3 International Research Networks (IRN), 6 International Emerging Actions (IEA), as well as the signature on 15 December 2020 of the consortium agreement for the first Australian IRL CROSSING (French-Australian Laboratory for Humans / Autonomous Agents Teaming) by associating the CNRS, IMT Atlantique, the three universities of South Australia and the French defense group Naval Group are emblematic of this interest. This spectacular growth in our activities with Australia reflects its appetite for the CNRS model and image of excellence.

Of course, it is impossible to draw up a balance sheet for the year 2020 without referring to the global health crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the international scientific cooperation by freezing visits, travels, events and exchanges. It should be noted that thanks to the highly structuring nature of its facilities abroad, and more particularly the IRLs which for the most part work with affected researchers, the CNRS has been able to maintain a very high level of interaction with its foreign partners.

The year 2021 will see CNRS continue its efforts to develop and structure its international cooperation. For the ASEAN and Oceania region, Singapore and Australia will remain the privileged sites of our efforts.

This 2020 booklet provides a focus on the 4 IRL and the CNRS@CREATE subsidiary in Singapore by giving voice to their respective scientific directors. The 2021 edition will focus on the IRLs developed in Thailand, Vietnam and Australia.

Dr. Jean-Paul TOUTAIN Prof. Dominique Baillargeat CNRS Regional Director for ASEAN and Oceania Scientific Executive Director of CNRS@CREATE

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

WHAT IS THE CNRS?

The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research) is a public body under the authority of the French Ministry of Education and Research. Founded in 1939, the CNRS is the largest fundamental research organization in Europe. It carries out research in all fields of knowledge through ten specialized Institutes.

CNRS INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COOPERATIONS TOOLS

International Research Laboratories are international schemes in which research work is jointly conducted around a shared scientific focus. They structure, within an IRL identified location, the significant and lasting presence of scientists from a limited number of French and foreign research institutions (a single foreign partner country). International Research Laboratories are proposed by the scientific Institutes of the CNRS based on structured international collaborations. They involve a high degree of internationalization among the participating teams, as well as a strong concentration of research activity within a partner organization. These IRL last 5 years, and can be extended several times.

International Research Projects are collaborative research projects established between one or more CNRS laboratories and laboratories in one or two foreign IRP countries. They enable the consolidation of already established collaborations through short or medium-term scientific exchanges. Their purpose is the organization of working meetings or seminars, the development of joint research activities including field research, and the supervision of students. French and foreign teams must have already demonstrated their ability to collaborate together (for example through one or more joint publications). These programs last 5 years and can be extended for 5 more years.

The International Research Networks aims at structuring an international scientific community around a shared theme or research infrastructure. It promotes the IRN organization of international workshops and seminars or thematic schools organized by the network partners, in France and abroad. It brings together researchers from one or more French laboratories, including at least one CNRS laboratory, and from several partner laboratories abroad for a period of 5 years.

International Emerging Actions are “PI-to-PI” projects whose aim is to explore new fields of research and new international partnerships through: short-term missions, IEA the organization of working meetings, the initiation of initial joint research work around a shared scientific project. These actions have a duration of 2 years.

Cover illustration: © Centre for Quantum Technologies. Close-up of an experiment on quantum gases done at MajuLab IRL: Cloud of trapped laser-cooled Strontium atoms in a vacuum glass cell and emitting blue light.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

CNRS COOPERATIONS IN ASEAN AND OCEANIA

The CNRS Office is located in CREATE Tower and hosted by CNRS@CREATE.

This Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise (CREATE) is an international research campus and innovation hub launched in 2017 by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

It hosts several interdisciplinary research centers from top universities and institutions such as: HUJ, MIT, ETH Zurich, Cambridge University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Berkeley University, TUM, Illinois, NTU, NUS and the CNRS.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

CNRS COOPERATIONS IN ASEAN

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH SINGAPORE

• National University of Singapore – NUS. http://www.nus.edu.sg/ • Nanyang Technological University – NTU. https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ • Agency for Science, Technology and Research – A*STAR. https://www.a-star.edu.sg/ • National Research Foundation – NRF. https://www.nrf.gov.sg

4 International Research Laboratories

CINTRA (Engineering) http://cintra.ntu.edu.sg IRL between CNRS for France; NTU for Singapore; and Thales as industrial partner. Based on NTU campus, CINTRA was established in 2009. CINTRA develops research activities on nano-electronics and nano-photonics technologies.

MAJULAB (Physics) http://majulab.cnrs.fr/ IRL between CNRS, Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), Sorbonne Université (SU) for France ; NUS and NTU for Singapore. MajuLab was established in 2014. This IRL works on Quantum Technologies, Quantum Computing, Photonics, Material Science.

IPAL (Artificial Intelligence) http://ipal.cnrs.fr/ IRL between France and Singapore in Artificial Intelligence. The partners of IPAL are CNRS for France; NUS and A*STAR for Singapore.

BMC² (BioMechanics) https://www.viasnofflab.com/ The IRL BMC² (Biomechanics of Cell-Cell Contacts) is part of the Mechanobiology Institute (NUS). It was funded in 2014. It studies cell-cell adhesion, microfabrication of controlled environment for cell culture, biophysic of single molecules.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

3 International Research Projects

SYNBIOECO (Biotechnology): Synthetic Biology for a Bio-inspired Economy. FR: CNRS (TBI) SG: NUS (SynCTI).

STRETCH-SMART (Materials): Heterogeneous STRETCHable Systems, MechAnical propeRTies and associated functionalities at small scales. FR: CNRS (LSPM, PPRIME) SG: NUS.

FIBERMED (Biotechnology): Specialty optical fiber based biosensing for medical applications. FR: CNRS (XLIM). SG: SBIC A*STAR.

2 International Research Networks

SINERGIE (Energy): French-SINgaporean network on renewable enERGIEs. FR: CNRS (25 laboratories in France: full list available on the SINERGIE’s web page). SG: NTU. Industrial partner: ENGIE-Lab.

ASEAN CHINA NORMS (Social Sciences): China’s Rise and the New Social Norms in Southeast Asia. FR: CNRS (CASE, IFRAE). SG: NUS.

1 International Emerging Action

SO-PRETTY (Chemistry & Health): SODmimics-Oxaliplatine Platinum(IV) conjugates with REduced ToxiciTY. FR: CNRS (LBM, Institut Cochin). SG: NUS.

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH THAILAND

• Chulalongkorn University. http://www.chula.ac.th • Mahasarakham University. https://inter.msu.ac.th/

1 International Research Laboratory

IRASEC (Social Sciences): Based in Bangkok, IRASEC (Institut de Recherche sur l'Asie du Sud-Est Contemporaine) is a French leading research institute dedicated to the study of Contemporary Southeast Asia (ASEAN countries and Timor Leste). FR: CNRS (CASE, IPRAUS, IrAsia, IAO). TH: Chulalongkorn University.

1 International Research Network

PALBIODIV-ASE (Biodiversity): Paleobiodiversity in South-east Asia. CNRS, CRP-UMR7207. FR: CNRS (CR2P, ISEM, LEHNA, LGLTPE, LGENS, HNHP, ISYEB). TH: Mahasarakham University, Chulalongkorn University.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

2 International Emerging Actions

FOOLFLY (Biodiversity): Convergent evolution of deceptive pollination syndrome in Ceropegia and Aristolochia. FR: CNRS (CEFE). TH: Chulalongkorn University.

COSMOGRAVITY (Physics): New challenges for cosmology and gravitation. FR: CNRS (LPTHE). TH: Chulalongkorn University.

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH VIETNAM

• Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology – VAST. http://www.vast.ac.vn/en/ • Vietnam National University, Hanoi. www.vnu.edu.vn • University of Science and Technology of Hanoi – USTH https://www.usth.edu.vn/en/

1 International Research Laboratory

FORMATH (Maths): Formath Vietnam Singapore. fruitful collaborative links and networks around selected topics in mathematics. FR: CNRS (LAGA, IMT, IDP, IJF, LJAD, I2M, LaBRI, LJL, IRMAR, LPP); Université Paris 8 (MITSIC). VN: VAST, VIASM. SG: NUS, NTU.

2 International Research Projects

FOCOMAT (Materials): Functional Composite Material. FR: CIRIMAT. VN: VAST.

FV-TEL (Ecology): France-Vietnam Tropical Ecology Laboratory. FR: CNRS (MECADEV, ISYEB, IMBE, MCAM). VN: IEBR, ITB, IMBC, VNMN, MERC.

4 International Emerging Actions

GRAPHENE SHEET (Chemistry): Graphene sheet deals with new opportunities in catalytic applications offered by graphene. FR: CNRS (IRCELYON) VN: VIIC

FISHµBIOM (Biodiversity): Biodiversity and role of FISH MICROBIOMes in coral reef socio-ecosystems. FR: CNRS (MARBEC, MIVEGEC). VN: IBT, USTH, IO.

MODHVDC (Engineering): Providing modelling approaches of transient and steady state processes occurring in HVDC cable systems, with consideration of non-equilibrium thermal conditions on the cables. FR: CNRS (Laplace). VN: EPU, Hanoï.

ArGex (Maths): Arithmetic and Galois extensions of function fields. FR: CNRS (Institut Camille Jordan). VN: VAST.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH MALAYSIA

• University of Malaya. www.um.edu.my • Taylor’s University. https://university.taylors.edu.my

2 International Research Projects

IFM NATPROLAB (Chemistry): International French Malaysian Natural Products Laboratory. FR: CNRS (ICSN). MAL: University Malaya.

FOODSTUDIES (Social Sciences): Food, Cultures and Health. Transformation of the food system organisation and of the social representations and meanings associated to food during the process of modernization in Southeast Asia countries. FR: CNRS CERTOP, MAL: CRiT, Taylor University.

1 International Emerging Action

SHARKSEA (Ecology): Evolution of freshwater hybodont sharks and climatic changes. Biostratigraphic potential of freshwater hybodont sharks in Southeast Asia. FR: CNRS (LEHNA, LGLTPE). MAL: University of Malaya.

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH MYANMAR

• University of Mawlamyine. http://www.mlmuni.edu.mm/

1 International Research Network

TANAOSRI (Environment): Collaborative research between French, Thai and Burmese institutions. It focuses on the Moken, a population of sea-nomads scattered along the western coast of Southern Myanmar and Thailand. FR: CNRS (Eco-Anthropologie). MYA: University of Mawlamyine.

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH INDONESIA

• Institut Pertanian Bogor. IPB. https://ipb.ac.id/

1 International Emerging Action

SULMACGEN (Environment): SULawesi MAcaques GENetics. Sociality of Sulawesi macaques: revisiting the impact of kinship on social behaviours in wild crested macaques. FR: CNRS (Eco-Anthropologie). IND: Macaca Nigra Project.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

CNRS COOPERATIONS IN OCEANIA

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA

• Australian National University – ANU. https://www.anu.edu.au/ • University of Melbourne. https://www.unimelb.edu.au/ • RMIT University. https://www.rmit.edu.au/ • Deakin University. https://www.deakin.edu.au/ • Monash University. https://www.monash.edu/ • Swinburne University of Technology. https://www.swinburne.edu.au/ • Flinders University. https://www.flinders.edu.au/ • University of South Australia – UNISA. https://www.unisa.edu.au/ • University of Tasmania. https://www.utas.edu.au/ • Macquarie University. https://www.mq.edu.au/ • University of New South Wales – UNSW. https://www.unsw.edu.au/ • University of Sydney. https://www.sydney.edu.au/ • University of Newcastle. https://www.newcastle.edu.au/ • University of Queensland. https://www.uq.edu.au/ • University of the Sunshine Coast. https://www.usc.edu.au/ • Queensland University of Technology. https://www.qut.edu.au/ • Curtin University. https://www.curtin.edu.au/ • Murdoch University. https://www.murdoch.edu.au/ • University of Western Australia – UWA. https://www.uwa.edu.au/

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

1 International Research Laboratory

FUMA (Maths): Fundamental Mathematics in the field of basic and applied mathematics. FR: CNRS (Institut Camille Jordan) AUS: Australian National University (ANU).

8 International Research Projects

ALPhFA (Photonics): Associated Laboratory in Photonics between France and Australia. FR: CNRS (INL). AUS: RMIT.

CANECEV (Ecology & Health): Investigating the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of cancer. FR: CNRS (MIVEGEC); IRD; UM AUS: Deakin University, UTAS.

IRP-ARS (Robotics): Advanced Autonomy for Robotic Systems. FR: CNRS (I3S); UCA. AUS: ACRV, ANU.

SocNetMM (Ecology): Social Communication Network in Marine Mammals. FR: CNRS (Institute of Neuroscience); AUS: Macquarie University.

AMHELIE (Materials): Additive Manufacturing for High pErformance materiaLs and lattIce structurEs. FR: CNRS (I2M). AUS: University of Queensland and Monash University.

APICOLIPID (Infectious deseases): Apicomplexan parasites lipid and membrane biogenesis. FR: CNRS (IAB), INSERM, UGA. AUS: University of Melbourne.

GEODESIC (Signal processing): Geometry-Driven Signal and Image Processing. The lab conducts research in the field of data science, with emphasis in signal and image processing applications. FR: CNRS (GIPSA, CRIStAL, IMS) AUS: University of Melbourne.

REDOCHROME (Chemistry): Organo-metallic assemblies redox-active and multipolar for photonics and molecular electronics. FR: CNRS (ISCR) AUS: ANU, UWA.

5 International Research Networks

FACES (Energy): French-Australian research network on Conversion and Energy Storage for stand-alone & maritime applications. FR: CNRS (ICMPE, ICMCB, IEM, IMN, FEMTO-ST, IMS, LAPLACE, AMPERE). AUS: MERLin, UNSW, Deakin University, UNiSA, and Flinders University.

EHEDE (Ecology & Health): Ecosystem Health and Environmental Disease Ecology, aims to promote exchanges and improve the readability of research conducted in Eurasia linking ecosystems health and the ecology of diseases. FR: CNRS (Chrono-Environnement; LADYSS) AUS: Australian National University

WONDER (Biotechnology): Biofuel and material production from microalgae. FR: CNRS (GEPEA) AUS: Murdoch University Algae R&D Centre

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

PhilInBioMed (Social Sciences): The Institute for Philosophy In Biology and Medicine aims at advancing philosophy in the biological and medical sciences. FR: CNRS (ImmunoConcept); AUS: University of Sydney Theory and Method in Biosciences Group

I² (Astrophysics): Interstellar Institute. FR: CNRS (AIM). AUS: Australian National University; Macquarie University

14 International Emerging Actions

MECAPOP (Environment): Underlying MEChAnisms of seabird POPulation performances at sea: spatio- temporal prey accessibility. FR: CNRS (IPHC). AUS: Phillip Island Nature Parks.

PSEUDOSPECS (Chemistry): dedicated to the use of a new method (SPECS) to unveil the pseudocapacitive behavior of electrode materials. FR: CNRS (IMN) AUS: University of Newcastle.

NANOMOBILITY (Geochemistry): Resolving element mobility at the nanoscale in phosphate minerals. FR: CNRS (LGL-GTPE); ENS; Université Lyon 1. AUS: Curtin University Geoscience Atom Probe group.

ROSIA (Engineering & Health): Bone remodeling and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: to better understand the mechanisms of the disease through coupled experimental & theoretical approaches. FR: CNRS (MSME); UPEC. AUS: Queensland University of Technology (BSRG).

ELIXIR (Chemistry): Electrogeneration of inorganic materials at liquid-liquid nano-interfaces. FR: CNRS (LCPME); Université de Lorraine. AUS: Curtin University.

MIR_ALPhFA (Engineering): Integrated medium infrared sources developed within the framework of IRP ALPhFA FR: CNRS (INL) AUS: RMIT University

ECHAPH (Environment): Environmental Changes and Heritage in Atlantic and Pacific Hillforts. FR: CNRS (CReAAH); Le Mans University. AUS: University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Social Science.

QUAP (Physics): Quantum Polaritonics. FR: CNRS (Institut Néel) AUS: Macquarie University

STraS (Ecology) Staining and Tracking Sponge Cells to describe morphogenetic processes. FR: CNRS (ISEM, IMBE, IBDM) AUS: University of Queensland

FAACS (Environment): French-Australian collaboration on Antartic Climate Science. FR: CNRS (IGE), Grenoble and CEA-CNRS-UVSQ LSCE). AUS: Australian Antarctic Division (Kingston, Tasmania).

SERINT (Physics): Understanding the intriguing mathematical properties of series with integer coefficients emerging in theoretical physics. FR: CNRS (LPTMC). AUS: University of Melbourne.

GOAL (Neurobiology): The Neural Basis of goal-directed behaviour in rats. FR: CNRS (INCIA – Bordeaux University). AUS: UNSW.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

NAMICO (Geochemistry): Natural and Mixed Convective mass transfer phenomena impacting solar building envelope performance in urban environment. FR: CNRS (CETHIL) AUS: UNSW; University of Sydney.

COMPEX (Chemistry): Towards exotic compositions of transition metal oxides used as positive electrode materials for Li or Na batteries. It addresses structural changes at atomic scale during recycling of Li or Na batteries. FR: CNRS (ICMCB). AUS: UNSW.

CNRS COOPERATIONS WITH NEW ZEALAND

• University of Auckland https://www.auckland.ac.nz/ • University of Canterbury. https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/ • Massey University. https://www.massey.ac.nz/ • University of Otago. https://www.otago.ac.nz/ • National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. https://niwa.co.nz/

3 International Research Projects

VINADAPT (Agrosystems & Climate): High-resolution scenarios for adapting agrosystems to climate change: application to viticulture. FR: CNRS (LETG, Biogéoscience); INRAE (EGFV, AGROCLIM). NZ: School of Earth and Environment of the University of Canterbury.

AntarctPlantAdapt (Environment): Adaptation of Antarctic Plants to Climate Change. FR: CNRS (ECOBIO); INRAE (UMR ESE). NZ: Massey University, University of Otago.

WALL-IN (Physics): Confining walls-of-Light in nonlinear Kerr resonators. Study of nonlinear dynamics occurring in optical Kerr resonators. FR: CNRS (UMR6303 UB – ICB Dijon). NZ: University of Auckland.

1 International Emerging Action

QIWI (Geophysics): Quantitative Imaging of Water-column Inhomogeneities using backscatter acoustic signal. FR: CNRS (Géosciences Rennes) ; IFREMER - NZ: NIWA. AUS: CSIRO; IMAS-UTAS.

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

GIVING VOICE TO THE MAIN ACTORS FOR CNRS IN ASEAN AND OCEANIA

Prof. Philippe Coquet, Director of the IRL CINTRA

Since 2010, we have trained about 50 PhD students and we have welcomed about 60 interns. We have also hosted about 80 researchers from France and Europe since the creation of the lab. Among our achievements, since 2010, CINTRA has produced or been affiliated with over 800 publications in journals and international conferences. Another interesting part for us in CINTRA is that we have a great premise in the Research Techno Plaza (NTU) building. It’s about 1000 square meters. It’s a place where we can welcome our PhD students, research fellows and our staff. We also have different rooms to conduct experiments with some equipment and some facilities such as high frequency characterization, light matter interaction and thermoacoustic transducer.

How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect your work? Can you explain the general context of your For sure we have been impacted by this covid-19 research in Singapore within a CNRS International pandemic. First in Singapore, when the lockdown Research Laboratory? happened, we had to stop our activities. Afterwards, the same happened with our French partners. There was a total of several months where, because we IRL CINTRA is a joint laboratory between France and have a lot of projects with France, they had to be Singapore. We have three partners. CNRS and its shifted between the two countries, so the lockdown INSIS Institute, NTU Singapore and Thalès. At had a big impact on us. However, in terms of CINTRA, we are working on nanotechnology and publications, we feel that the effect will be more more specifically on nanoelectronics and important next year. This year we had time to write on nanophotonics. The objective of CINTRA is to build a the results we already obtained. But because world-class laboratory between these two countries in everything has been delayed, for the different these research fields. agencies in France or in Singapore, even though we The IRL CINTRA has been established in 2009. We could obtain some extension for our projects, we feel celebrated last year our ten-year anniversary. But the that there will be a lack of new results and in terms of collaboration between the partners started in the early publications I feel that the impact will probably be 2000’s. So it’s already a long term partnership. We are more important next year than this year. So yes for organized in three research thrusts. The first one is sure, we have been impacted by this pandemic. related to Carbon Based Materials & Devices (CMD). The second thrust is New Nano Materials & What evolutions do you see in the coming years Structures. The last one is NanoPhotonics concerning nanotechnologies? Technologies. At the moment, we have a total of 65 members working for CINTRA. It includes NTU I would say that like in other research fields, it will be professors working with us, but we also have PhD the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in what we are students, research fellows and other researchers. doing, to apply machine learning technics to the development of new materials. It’s something we have What types of applications do your research started to work on, with what we call material by activities lead to?

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020 designs, in order to apply AI to the process of between what we can have here and what we can synthetizing new nanomaterials. But we want to apply have with our other partners in France. this concept to the different activities that we have in CINTRA, for nanomaterials, but also in terms of What are the biggest challenges about your IRL? nanophotonics and so on. The biggest challenges would be first to continue what we have achieved, especially in terms of quality of the What is the added value of an IRL for establishing research that we have conducted and to keep it at this a long-term international cooperation? level. Also to keep the trust, the involvement and the commitment of our partners. This is one part of the I think an IRL is a very important tool to establish a challenge. The other important challenge is to attract long-term international collaboration because this is a researchers from France, but also good students to do real laboratory where we can welcome people from internships with us, or to conduct their PhD. the different countries and different partners. We are able to make them work all together for a long period Tell us more about the next chapters for CINTRA of time. So it’s a very nice tool and I think it is very in terms of cooperation between France and rare. Singapore?

What are the specificities of collaborating with The next chapter will be to prepare for the renewal of Singaporean partners? CINTRA. We have celebrated last year our tenth anniversary. Now, we are in our third phase of The specificities are that here you have a very good CINTRA, which is going to finish by the end of 2022. environment for research, because the quality of the So we already have to prepare for this renewal, which research that is conducted here is very impressive. will represent the next term of CINTRA. For this, we The research funding opportunities are also quite have to keep going with our achievements and our good. So it makes a very enjoyable environment. momentum, in terms of research projects but also in What we also try to find here is a complementarity terms of publications.

CINTRA website: http://cintra.ntu.edu.sg

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

Prof. Christian Miniatura, Director of the IRL MajuLab

Can you explain the general context of your research? I would like first to introduce a bit myself. I am a research director at CNRS, and I am the director of an International Research Laboratory (MajuLab), that has been established in Singapore by five partners. On the French side: CNRS, Université Côte d’Azur in Nice, Sorbonne Université in Paris. And in Singapore: National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Most of my activities in fact, are running this lab and organizing collaborations between France and Singapore. Now, as an individual researcher, I’m doing quantum physics myself. I’m not working on foundations of quantum physics; I use the tools of quantum physics to analyze a certain number of phenomena. If I have to highlight one part of my research that would be what we call quantum transport, that is to say how a quantum wave propagates in a random environment.

What types of applications do your research proof of concepts, accompanying the development of activities lead to? this quantum computer. But certainly, a quantum There are two sides to this question. As an individual computer will be realized by a private company. researcher, I’m doing curiosity-driven, blue-sky research, fundamental research in fact. So when I try Are you currently collaborating with French or to tackle or analyze a physics problem, I don’t have in Singaporean institutes? mind any possible applications. But now, I am also the Obviously yes and this is the living purpose of an director of this International Research Laboratory International Research Laboratory. For CNRS, an MajuLab and I need to be aware of the potential “IRL” is the ultimate international partnering tool. It is applications of the research that we do. For example, a legal entity designed to establish strategic in Singapore, there are three main pillars in what we collaborations with a long-term perspective. call quantum engineering: Quantum computers, So, in Singapore, we are collaborating with NUS quantum communication and quantum sensing. The through the Centre for Quantum Technologies, the word quantum is here to just signal that we are trying Physics Department and the School of Computing. In to use the specificities of quantum physics like wave NTU, with the School of Physical and Mathematical nature, entanglement to improve the capabilities of Sciences (SPMS) and also with the School of Material sensors. Sciences and Engineering. We have also individual researchers working at Yale-NUS or SUTD. The quantum computer is at the center of many In France, we have the Université Côte d’Azur with attentions. Does MajuLab take part in this different labs. The historical partner is the Laboratoire dynamic? INPHYNI. In Sorbonne Université it is the Laboratoire Yes, we do. In MajuLab we have quantum computer Kastler Brossel. However, CNRS is a national scientists working on quantum computers. We also institution so we can collaborate with any university or have physicists doing quantum information. But we lab in France. have to fully appreciate that building up a quantum computer is in the hands of the big companies. This is What are the upcoming hot topics concerning because we face tough engineering problems and quantum physics? these companies have large funding. They can gather Oh, they are happening right now. Many years ago, large crowds of engineers. They can even hire many the second quantum revolution started when good scientists. We cannot compete. We are not scientists realized that they can make practical use of ourselves building up the quantum computer, but what the most intriguing feature of quantum physics: we can do is work around for theoretical entanglement. This is how the concept of quantum investigations, or even experimental investigations, computer came out. So quantum computer is a

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020 computer, but instead of using this classical bits, it What are the specificities of collaborating with uses quantum bits: Qubits. I don’t have time to explain Singaporean partners? what are Qubits exactly. But you have to know that Again, there are two sides to this question. As a companies like IBM just produced the first prototypes researcher, I don’t feel much difference with France. of a quantum computer. Now, you can see that all the It’s very easy to contact and meet people, start developed countries have their own big programs on discussions and collaborations, just like in France. quantum technologies. The European Union, each Maybe, there is a difference in terms of number of country in the European Union, Singapore also. For PhDs and post-docs that people have here compared example, the National Research Foundation has to France. Generally, a collaboration is going through started a version 2 of their quantum engineering students, post-docs, so here it’s smoother. program, focusing on some pillars and of course Now, as a director. Singapore is a small world, so you having applications in mind, deliverable products. I are closer to the decision makers. If you want to mentioned that before, quantum communication, discuss about a project, you can just easily meet these quantum sensing, quantum computers, but also persons and if you have a green light, a “go”, well, quantum foundry. You see, everything is happening everything flows smooth again! In France it is more right now and people are rushing. There is another difficult, I have more the impression of being stratified, revolution coming up, it’s machine learning. People it’s not always easy to get the decision in time. Here, are now using machine learning and deep learning it’s more dynamic, more immediate I would say. techniques in quantum physics. So we are living an exciting moment right now and there is an Tell us more about the next chapters for MajuLab effervescence everywhere in the labs doing quantum in terms of cooperation between France and technologies. Singapore? I would like to present how an IRL is working. What are the biggest challenges about your Essentially an IRL is a contract between partners. We International Research Laboratory? sign a convention with legal articles about intellectual Head hunting the right researchers. What I mean by property and so on, but I will concentrate on the this, is obviously we need to have very good scientists. scientific program. You start with a scientific program, This is for the image and visibility of the French when there are people involved in this program for a partners. With the right skills, depending on the types certain number of years. The first mandate was four of topics that we want to develop. That is not enough years for us. At the end, back in 2017, we had a review though. We also need to have researchers with the of the unit by an international expert panel and right mindset. That is to say a pioneering spirit, people everything went well since the institutions, the signing who are willing to develop collaborations with the local partners, decided to renew MajuLab for a second researchers, to develop networks, being very dynamic term. So we had a new scientific program and new people. Even within this list, you have to convince the people involved. This mandate is five years. So right people to come because they have personal or even now we are in the middle of it. Essentially, I’m left with institutional constraints. They have an academic two years and I need to prepare the next mandate. career, they have a family and so on. It is not easy to Meaning I have to find a new director – I won’t be the convince them, even if the CNRS is offering an next director. We also need to discuss with the expatriation package. So this is the biggest challenge partners to find out which directions to come, which to me. And right now I am working on the next projects to strengthen, which ones to drop. Once mandate and I have to identify the next generation of agreed, we need to find the people willing to come and researchers willing to come to Singapore. work on this project.

MajuLab website: http://majulab.cnrs.fr/

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

Prof. Virgile Viasnoff, Director of the IRL BMC²

microfabrication of environment, controlling precisely the interaction of the cells with an inert polymer. Another technique allows to very precisely image the interaction of the cells together, while confining them in a given environment. We built a new type of microscopy that allows us to measure many cells interactions at a time, in a way that is not usual. We are now trying to get a start-up out of that technology. Again, the main application is more on the technology side, than on the direct consequence of the fundamental mechanisms that we’ve learned so far.

What do you think of the research in Singapore? I think the research landscape in Singapore is first of all very dynamic. There are financial means, there are people around which are qualified, so that makes a very nice and lively community. Then it offers quite a Can you explain the general context of your number of opportunities. If you want to test things, it is research in Singapore within a CNRS International possible. In a small amount of space here, you are Research Laboratory? able to meet many different kinds of people and many BMC2 is an International Research Laboratory which fields of research. So it’s very easy to run focuses on understanding the role of mechanical interdisciplinary research which is very much favored stimulations, mechanics, forces, on the way tissues in this context. Clearly the facilities that you can find and cells respond to the environmental constraints. here are world class. So it’s a very interesting thing if That is to say how cells will proliferate, how a tissue you know how to access these facilities and use them will develop, how a tissue will become a disease tissue properly. Lastly, it also has a long tradition to ease rather than staying a normal tissue. To do this international collaboration. Which I think is very research, we have two partners. One in France and necessary to bring the best of what Singapore can one in Singapore. The one in France is CNRS, offer as well as what other countries can offer. It’s an specifically the Institute of Biology, as well as the ideal place, an ideal hub to build an international Institute of Physics at CNRS. In Singapore, we have research laboratory. the MechanoBiology Institute that actually hosts the research laboratory, as well as the department of How do you organize your cooperation with biology, which is the general umbrella under which we Singaporean and French institutes? do Science at NUS. Yes. The research we have in the lab is intrinsically very multidisciplinary. We can’t do it on our own, so What types of applications do your research we collaborate with different institutes. Both in France activities lead to? and in Singapore. We are going in different directions. In the BMC² Lab, the research activity is mostly For example, we develop new instrumentation and fundamental. We don’t aim at a specific understanding specifically new microscopy technics. For that we of one specific disease for example. We aim at collaborate with the Institute of Neurosciences in understanding the general principle that guides the Bordeaux. As well as with Cell-C here at NTU. We organization of the cells. However, there are some have of course many daily collaborations with the applications. At the moment, the biggest application neighboring labs at the MechanoBiology Institute for we found was more from a technological point of view. sharing materials, sharing ideas. We also have some How to develop the tools that allow you to control very interesting collaborations with the Genome environment around cells and force them to grow in a Institute of Singapore (GIS, an A*STAR institution) to given environment in vitro. It led us to create several understand the role of mechanics on the genomic data techniques and technologies that were patented and and the genomic impact of mechanics on cells. We some are trying to be commercialized. It involves have other collaborations. For example, with the

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020 immunology department at MBI because in perspective, are much more difficult to actually initiate immunology there is a strong component of in time, due to restrictions in getting people in and in mechanical forces so we have a project with the actually work in the lab. Although this is now finished immunology department at NUS. We also had - it is at the time of this interview because we have the right stopped - a collaboration with SUTD, the Singapore to work anytime we want. Lastly, I think it’s more of the University for Technology and Design because on top very strong dynamics that was here before that has to of controlling the micro environment we wanted to be restarted because the energy is slowly ramping up, develop tools which were marketable. SUTD helped but certainly not yet at the high peak it was before. us to develop machines to produce the micro environment tools in large quantities. Tell us more about the next chapters for BMC² in Very recently we started a collaboration with the terms of cooperation between France and department of design here at NUS to build an easy to Singapore? manipulate microscope. Because our microscopy BMC² has been created here about seven years ago technic is a little bit difficult to handle. The idea is to in Singapore. Over the years, we have established collaborate with real designers so that they can help very strong collaborations with, as I mentioned, the us build the instrument and build the software that Institute in Bordeaux and also Centre Turing in drives it. Marseille. These are the two prominent centers for We also recently developed some approaches where mechanobiology in France. These people have come we wanted to use organoids. Organoids are mini here, we developed interactions, sending students, organs that you can grow in small test tubes. And for writing projects together which are ongoing. One of my that we have again a collaboration with the GIS, to dreams in the future would actually be to do the grow liver organoids. And we have a collaboration with reverse. And be able to convince the Singaporean the Center Turing for Living Matter, in Marseille, where institutions that having satellite lab of mechanobiology they also develop new kinds of organoids. in France where they can also tap into the So, in biology, technology and in microscopy we have extraordinary diversity of people that are there is a collaborations, both in France and in Singapore. good option. Their knowledge would be very beneficial to CNRS and whatever university we collaborate with, How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect your and NUS here, or other universities here, but also very work? interesting in terms of scientific programs because the Surprisingly, I thought the lockdown period that we two sides have their own strengths in terms of had would be very difficult and it happened to be very mechanobiology in general and also in medicines. So productive. We had the occasion for two months to the idea would be in the next year to come, to build a actually not collect the data, but analyze them in much collaborative program where there can be one part in more depth than we would have had the opportunity France and one part in Singapore and strengthen the otherwise. We also developed new software, wrote link on the long term. For that, the French partners new articles and so on. So that two-month period for have been contacted and of course everyone agrees. everyone in the group wasn’t that bad. I’d say that it’s The whole thing is in the details. Where, when and the start again after the phase 2 of Covid-19 was a bit how. But at least there is an agreement in principal. more problematic, because everything that was NUS was very eager to that sort of things before the working in the lab before was not working anymore covid-19, now that there is a new perspective money because of that lag of time. The other issue we’re wise but also strategy wise, the perspective is not facing for the moment is more for dynamic and morale. blocked but it has to be reargumented to some extent. In a sense, whatever projects were already ongoing But there’s a large group of people interested in this just happened to be resurrected easily. Those which project, so we’ll see where it goes. Hopefully that’s were more starting or those who were more in a going to be developed in the next one to two years.

BMC² website: https://www.viasnofflab.com/

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

Dr. Christophe Jouffrais, Director of the IRL IPAL

Can you explain the general context of your research in Singapore within a CNRS International Research Laboratory?

The IPAL laboratory is an international research laboratory in computer science. It is a joint laboratory between the CNRS, Institut Mines Télécom (IMT) and Université de Grenoble-Alpes (UGA) in France, and National University of Singapore (NUS) and A*STAR in Singapore that promotes high quality collaborative research on five themes: Explainable and Trustable Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Natural Language Processing, Data Science and Applications, and Efficient AI. As a researcher in this laboratory, I am interested in cognitive technologies, i.e. technologies that are designed to facilitate the interaction between humans and the system but also to assist or augment humans. I am particularly interested in assistive technologies for people with visual impairments. It is a research field at the interface between cognitive sciences, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, cognitive ergonomics, and design.

What types of applications do your research pending better conditions. New French trainees and activities lead to? PhD students cannot start their projects in Singapore. In the IPAL laboratory, there can be multiple As for me, my research is an experimental research applications in the field of health, smart cities, based on interaction with different communities transport, etc. As far as I am concerned, the (people with visual impairments, but also the applications are more specifically focused on assistive professionals who take care of them). We have of and educational technologies. course reorganized ourselves to do online work but experimental research activities are currently What do you think of the research in Singapore? dormant. Research in Singapore is of an excellent level, with well-trained people, very good research support and IPAL has been created in 2007 with a focus on very good universities and research centers. In biomedical imaging and ageing. Can you explain addition, funding for basic and applied research is the evolution of the topics towards AI? significant, which opens up great opportunities. I must confess that this development responds to a joint request from our supervisory authorities (CNRS, Are you currently collaborating with French or IMT, UGA, A*STAR and NUS) who wish to strengthen Singaporean institutes? Franco-Singaporean cooperation in this research Of course! We collaborate with many French field. However, it is a very natural evolution. AI, as you universities such as Toulouse, Grenoble, Cergy. But know, is a research field that has greatly improved in also with other Singaporean universities: Singapore recent years, particularly because of its applications in University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and health and smart city. IPAL members were already, for Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for instance. many of them, AI specialists in the field of images and Obviously, we also have collaborations with other other types of data. The opening of the laboratory to a foreign universities such as Auckland, Geneva, San wider field of research such as AI is therefore a Andrews. scientific fact.

How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect your What is your point of view about doing research work? on AI in Singapore? The COVID is a real problem for IPAL. Two There is a set of favorable factors for AI research in assignments of French researchers at the end of 2019 Singapore. The IPAL is a laboratory that has been and beginning of 2020 have been suspended, existing for almost 15 years and is recognized as a

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020 dynamic and productive collaborative place for the ambition to strengthen our links with NUS and computer sciences research. The IRL IPAL has made A*STAR partners by enlarging the scope and hence it possible to bring together the best French the number of colleagues involved in the laboratory. researchers on AI (especially in the new 3IA centers) We also wish to establish strong links with the 3IA with our Singaporean partners (NUS and A*STAR) centers in France and with new partners such as that are high-quality partners in this field of research. Toulouse 3 University, CYU, but also two excellent Finally, the CNRS has just created its subsidiary engineering schools (INP Toulouse and ENAC). CNRS@CREATE, which has proposed to strengthen In addition to this renewal, 2021 will be an important Franco-Singaporean collaborations in AI. IPAL has year for IPAL if the CNRS@CREATE program is quickly and efficiently supported the granted because almost all our members will be CNRS@CREATE approach and we are working with involved in this program developed based on Franco- other French and Singaporean colleagues on the Singaporean collaborations. proposal of a large-scale research program. As you can see, there are currently many convergences on AI What are the biggest challenges about IPAL? research in Singapore. As the IRL director, the biggest challenge is to get institutions that do not have the same administrative Tell us more about the next chapters for IPAL in procedures to work together. But I have to admit that terms of cooperation between France and Singaporeans are well organized and very proactive. Singapore? For the lab, the biggest challenge at the moment is to The next step is the renewal of the IPAL agreement in renew the agreement in the best conditions with very 2021. We have received the encouragement of the good prospects for 5 years of work. CNRS, NUS and A*STAR for this renewal. We have

IPAL website: http://ipal.cnrs.fr/

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

Prof. Dominique Baillargeat, Director of CNRS@CREATE

CNRS@CREATE in Singapore: "In one year, we have shown that we are on the right track". CNRS@CREATE is the first CNRS subsidiary abroad. Since mid-2019, CNRS@CREATE has been working with Singapore's universities and research institutes, as well as with the international partners of the CREATE campus, to develop projects in areas that are in line with the social and economic challenges of the City- State. At its head, Dominique Baillargeat reviews this first year.

For the CNRS, this first subsidiary was a wager on projects: this is the strength of the interdisciplinary the future. After a year, where do you stand? CNRS and its academic partners. Dominique Baillargeat (1): The "Campus for research Thus, CNRS@CREATE is the main leader for the excellence and technological enterprise" (CREATE) EcoCTs project, in collaboration with the National was created by the National Research Foundation (2) University of Singapore (NUS) and the Agency for (NRF) in 2006 to increase the dynamism and diversity Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), which of the R&D ecosystem in Singapore, bringing together proposes to develop "synthetic biology for a circular some of the most prestigious international research bio-economy". centers such as MIT, ETH Zurich, Cambridge We also responded to the "Intersection of engineering University, University of California at Berkeley, Munich and health" call for proposals and two of our projects University of Technology, Hebrew University of were selected: Calipso, on cell growth managed by Jerusalem. CNRS is the first research organization to artificial intelligence, for which we are the lead join this campus, a unique model of research developer, and ScaNCellS for 3D cell printing, for collaboration. I took up my position on September 1, which we are supporting Nanyang Technological 2019 and worked on both the administrative aspects University (NTU) in Singapore. of the subsidiary and our research projects. In one year, we showed that we were on the right track. On the research side, we have already answered two intra-CREATE calls for projects that aim to bring together CREATE members. Three of our projects have been selected by CREATE on the basis of international expertise, which exceeds our expectations. This allowed us to really launch the activity, by starting to recruit. For this, it was also necessary to set up the entire administrative structure of the subsidiary, to define procedures, internal rules, financial and human management. This work is less visible, but it is Inauguration of CNRS@CREATE in 2019, in the essential to support research. It is also complex to presence of Antoine Petit, CEO of CNRS. © carry out because in many aspects we have to comply CNRS@CREATE with the regulations of both countries. This research will start on October 1, 2020, for a On which areas do the three selected projects period of 3 years, and is carried out in collaboration focus? with the best universities in the country. In addition to D. B.: The CREATE campus addresses broad the human resources recruited by our partners, themes, considering the city as a whole (people, CNRS@CREATE will recruit 10 post-docs for these energy, mobility, environment, etc.). We give projects with a budget of 5 million Singapore dollars ourselves the opportunity to answer all calls for each (about 3 million euros). This gives excellent

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020

visibility to CNRS in Singapore, but it is above all a test the A*STAR institute. We hope to submit the full to be transformed. proposal, which will be studied by an international panel, by November 2020 and start the program in the You are preparing to submit a major project second half of 2021. But nothing is certain yet, we are around artificial intelligence to the National currently in the construction phase. Research Foundation (NRF) in Singapore. What is at stake behind this step? Has the COVID-19 health crisis had a strong D. B.: This ambitious program is our way of setting our impact on the work of CNRS@CREATE? Has it priorities. It is not a response to a call for projects. The changed the country's long-term priorities? CNRS is submitting a proposal to the NRF for a D. B.: We had to adapt. For example, the EcoCTs research program focused on artificial intelligence for project was supposed to start in April, but was decision-making in critical urban systems, applied for postponed to October because of the COVID-19 example to urban mobility, energy management, etc. crisis. It is also difficult at the moment to obtain work The research program will focus on the use of artificial visas for the people we are recruiting and have to intelligence in urban critical systems. Within CREATE, bring them into Singapore, although this seems to be there was a place to be taken on artificial intelligence resolving. associated with this theme and it was important for us To date, I have not heard of any change in direction in to make an original contribution. In addition, terms of research strategy. Subjects around the virus developing collaboration with France on these have obtained exceptional funding in recent months, aspects is part of Singapore's overall strategy: in and in a context of extremely limited external links, the 2018, on the occasion of the France-Singapore Year country's willingness to develop its food independence of Innovation, an agreement to this effect was signed (3) will undoubtedly accelerate. between the dedicated Singaporean agency, AI For the time being, it is announced by the authorities Singapore, and the research institutions CNRS, that there will be no return to normal without vaccine. INSERM and INRIA. In France, four interdisciplinary We are therefore mostly working from home. Our artificial intelligence institutes (3IA) were also created "DesCartes" program was built entirely by in the same year, which gives us real credibility with videoconference, with 50 scientists who have not yet our partners in Singapore. Moreover, the 3IAs are met! sources of collaborations in this future program. Is this subsidiary model intended to be I therefore proposed this specific theme to CNRS replicated? management in December 2019 and we filed a D. B.: The CNRS@CREATE model was imposed by detailed declaration of intent with NRF-CREATE, the the NRF, as for all other foreign members of CREATE. first step, at the end of July. This project, worth several It is specific to Singapore's own framework and tens of millions of Singapore dollars and planned over represents an important work of organization. If the 5 years, has been named "DesCartes". It already CNRS judges that this model is worth the effort within involves scientists from the CNRS and 10 French the framework of its international policy, it could be universities and, on the Singaporean side, we are in adapted to other countries. But for the moment, we are discussions for partnerships with 4 universities and focusing on proving ourselves.

NOTES 1.Director of the XLIM laboratory (CNRS/University of Limoges) from 2013 to 2019 and of the Labex Sigma-Lim from 2014 to 2019, Dominique Baillargeat has been appointed Scientific Executive Director of CNRS@ CREATE in 2019.

2.Reporting to the Prime Minister's Office, the NRF defines national priorities and funds the country's strategic research programs, similar to the French ANR.

3.Today, Singapore produces only 5% of the food its population needs, the rest being imported

CNRS@CREATE website: http://cnrsatcreate.cnrs.fr/

THE CNRS IN ASEAN & OCEANIA 2020