CONCEPT

Our partner Michael Nolan, Head of Group Materials Modelling for Devices and chair at Tyndall National Institute gave an interview about "Semiconductor devices". Listen to the episode and learn about the "Science of Semiconductors". 🎧

Last week, the #CONCEPT consortium met in Cork, Ireland 🇮🇪 hosted by our partners at the Tyndall National Institute. Insightful discussions, productive discussions, networking and collaboration between partners to drive the work on our project forward.💡 ▪️Universitetet i Oslo (UiO) | University of Oslo | National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos" | CogniGron, University of Groningen (FSE) | Volatec Oy | Baldur Coatings AS | F6S Innovation | IBM Research | Lumiphase | Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN, UiO)

Ferroelectric thin films like BTO and HZO are not only lead-free but also ideal for high-endurance, low-power applications in neuromorphic hardware. At CONCEPT, we’re committed to sustainable innovation and a future without harmful materials. 🔬 ▪️Universitetet i Oslo (UiO) | University of Oslo | Tyndall National Institute | National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos" | CogniGron, University of Groningen (FSE) | Volatec Oy | Baldur Coatings AS | F6S Innovation | IBM Research | Lumiphase | Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN, UiO)

Moore’s Law has powered tech advances for decades, but as transistor scaling reaches its limits, what's next? 🔍 The answer may lie in neuromorphic technologies, inspired by the brain’s efficiency to perform complex tasks, and optical communication, reducing the energy footprint of global connectivity. ▪️Universitetet i Oslo (UiO) | University of Oslo | Tyndall National Institute | National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos" | CogniGron, University of Groningen (FSE) | Volatec Oy | Baldur Coatings AS | F6S Innovation | IBM Research | Lumiphase | Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN, UiO)

🟠 Meet the partners Lumiphase, a Swiss start-up founded in 2020, commercializes silicon-based photonic integrated circuits (Si-PIC) using the electro-optic properties of ferroelectric materials. The company develops electro-optic modulators and switches for next-generation high-speed data communication, offering compact, fast, energy-efficient solutions with low optical losses, all compatible with advanced integration. Lumiphase also partners with select companies to explore novel applications of its technology. ⚛ Work in the #CONCEPT In the CONCEPT project, Lumiphase will assess the deposition method developed by Baldur, Volatec, and UoO. First, Lumiphase will provide virtual substrates, which allow oxides to grow on silicon, to the consortium. Then, BTO films will be compared to Lumiphase's internal standards. The final evaluation will involve testing PIC devices made with consortium-developed BTO thin films. Meanwhile, Lumiphase will also supply virtual substrates to other partners, supporting their work with crystalline ferroelectric oxides.

From the Intel 4004's debut in 1971 to today’s cutting-edge chips with 3-5 nm transistor sizes, technology has come a long way. But as we push the limits of silicon, the next frontier is emerging: neuromorphic technologies and optical communication. How will innovation keep up? Find out more about what’s next with our CONCEPT project. 🟠 ▪️Universitetet i Oslo (UiO) | University of Oslo | Tyndall National Institute | National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos" | CogniGron, University of Groningen (FSE) | Volatec Oy | Baldur Coatings AS | F6S Innovation | IBM Research | Lumiphase | Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN, UiO)

🟠 Meet the partners IBM Research integrates technology and expertise, providing infrastructure, software (including market-leading Red Hat) and consulting services for clients as they pursue the digital transformation of the world’s mission-critical businesses. IBM Research Europe – Zurich is one of IBM’s 12 global research labs. IBM has maintained a research laboratory in Switzerland since 1956. As the first European branch of IBM Research, the mission of the Zurich Lab, in addition to pursuing cutting-edge research for tomorrow’s information technology, is to cultivate close relationships with academic and industrial partners, be one of the premier places to work for world-class researchers, to promote women in IT and science, and to help drive Europe’s innovation agenda. ⚛ Work in the #CONCEPT IBM is establishing ferroelectric devices for applications in dedicated hardware for artificial intelligence and future computing technology. Our efforts are focused on ferroelectric materials such as zirconium-doped hafnium oxide that offer good potential to be compatible with existing processes in silicon technology. In line with the project focus, we will be using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique for depositing these layers. Devices and circuits will be realized to evaluate the potential for applying the technology. 

#CONCEPT Dictionary3️⃣! ⚛️📚Today, we dive into the world of silicon optoelectronic technology! What is it, and where do we see it? It’s a #technology that powers our everyday lives—from ultra-fast internet to precise medical sensors. See? We use it every day without even knowing. 💡 Stay tuned for more insights! ▪️University of Oslo | Tyndall National Institute | National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos" | CogniGron, University of Groningen (FSE) | Volatec Oy | Baldur Coatings AS | F6S Innovation | IBM Research | Lumiphase | Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN, UiO)

Dharsana Pulikkottil Dinesh proudly presenting CONCEPT work at #ALDALE2024. Properly controlling complex oxide growth with ALD is difficult, and requires deep knowledge of the binary processes involved. Dharsana's TiO2 process is a huge step on the way towards some very exciting functional complex oxides. Great work!

🟠 Meet the partners The National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos" (NCSRD) is a government research organization with 5 Institutes promoting research and innovation in the areas of Materials Science and Engineering, physical chemistry, nano and microelectronics and microfabrication, Nuclear Physics and  Nuclear & Radiological Sciences and Technology, Biology and information and telecommunications. The Center has around 600 personnel among which 190 are research scientists and the rest are administrative and technical personnel and post-doctoral research associates. ⚛ Work in the #project Leveraging prior expertise with semiconductors, the team will propel the epitaxial Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 / crystalline oxide semiconductor technology forward, leveraging the ALD-grown crystalline oxide semiconductor developed in the Integration of Functional Complex Oxides. #NCSRD will be mainly involved in the fundamentals of epitaxial ferroelectrics, epitaxial oxides in neuromorphic devices, and integration of functional complex oxides paving the way for the development of bio-inspired neuromorphic computing.