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Curvilinear multiferroics

Project description

Curvilinear multiferroics for advanced applications

The rapid development of brain-inspired computing, machine learning, and deep neural networks for applications such as smartphones and autonomous driving requires new logic and storage concepts that go beyond conventional von Neumann architectures. Multiferroic materials are key enablers, but they are limited in availability. Current designs typically attempt to induce ferroelectric ordering in magnets to control non-volatile magnetic states, but this approach has not yielded significant results. The ERC-funded 3DmultiFerro project aims to create curvilinear multiferroics by applying ferrotoroidal order to geometrically curved magnetic thin films, rather than inducing ferroelectricity. The project will also assess their potential in memory and logic devices. This approach could transform rare ferrotoroidic materials into a more common class, similar to conventional ferromagnets.

Objective

Disruptive development of brain-inspired computing, machine learning and deep neural networks for electronic assistants in smartphones, autonomous driving systems or chatGPT require new logic and storage concepts, which are beyond conventional von Neumann computer architectures. Materials known as multiferroics are identified as key enablers of these technologies. In contrast to ferromagnets, where the magnetic state is controlled by magnetic fields (energy inefficient due to flowing currents), magnetoelectric multiferroics allow manipulation of magnetic states by electric fields. The great promise of multiferroic materials towards energy efficient computing is compromised by the limited material portfolio. Literally, after decades of research, we have only one multiferroic (i.e. BiFeO3) potentially promising for room temperature spintronic devices. Even this most advanced material meets challenges outperforming state-of-the-art CMOS elements.
The mainstream approach to design magnetoelectrics is to induce ferroelectric ordering in magnets to control non-volatile magnetic states electrically. Although intuitively understandable, this concept failed providing a technologically-relevant multiferroics. Here, we propose a paradigm shift in the design of multiferroic materials. Instead of trying to induce ferroelectricity, we will realize curvilinear multiferroics by imposing ferrotoroidal order in geometrically curved magnetic thin films.
Fundamentally, we predict that effects of geometric curvature and inhomogeneous mechanical strain will induce sizeable ferrotoroidal order parameter in any magnetically ordered material, rendering this material multiferroic. Hence, curvilinear systems will turn rare ferrotoroidic materials in a broadly populated material class, available for material science and technologies similar to the conventional ferromagnets.
This project will enable curvilinear multiferroics and validate their application potential for memory and logic devices.

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Topic(s)

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HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2023-ADG

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Host institution

HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF EV
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 500 000,00
Address
BAUTZNER LANDSTRASSE 400
01328 Dresden
Germany

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Region
Sachsen Dresden Dresden, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 500 000,00

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