Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Slow excitonics for minimalistic and sustainable photonic and optoelectronic systems

Project description

Sustainable yet powerful photonic devices for sensing, security, and information storage

Funded by the European Research Council, the SLOWTONICS project will use biodegradable organic materials to design and improve photonic devices for logistics information processing, sensor systems, and security features. The technology is based on a unique programmable photonic framework, called digital luminescence, which locally controls luminescence at long lifetimes. Although first prototypes have shown potential, including high resolution and simplified read-out, SLOWTONICS will overcome current limitations to exploit new application scenarios and meet industrial application requirements. The ultimate goal is to create efficient communication components from natural materials, targeting systems with material footprints of less than 0.1 mg/system, making them truly minimalistic and sustainable.

Objective

Modern technology should not only provide improved efficiency but follow sustainable and minimalistic design principles for an optimised ecological footprint. Photonic applications, e.g. used for information processing in logistics or sensor systems, currently require more and more complex technological solutions to speed up data storage and processing while creating nonrecyclable waste. SLOWTONICS aims at providing a paradigm shift based on biocompatible organic optoelectronic and photonic components.

The design principle of digital luminescence developed in my research group combines easily processable excitonic states at long lifetimes (> 1 s) with a programmable oxygen-based switch of the luminescence to create a unique programmable photonic framework. By using organic semiconductors, such systems offer a low ecological footprint, small material consumption, and a high degree of material tuneability for tailor-made technological solutions. First prototypes of programmable luminescent tags have demonstrated the potential of this technology yet missing the requirements for industrial application. Based on the existing expertise of my research group in the fields of organic optoelectronics and spectroscopy of soft luminescence materials, SLOWTONICS will overcome current limitations, to realize industry-relevant systems for optical data storage and exchange, and extend the application of digital luminescence towards luminescent security label and multi-component sensor systems. Once having developed novel communication components, we attempt to realize these designs made only from materials found in nature. This is an essential ultimate step because a world with an ever-growing demand for information requires systems that provide functionality and allow for responsible use. Our approach aims at systems that have material footprints of < 0.1 mg/system, making them truly minimalistic and sustainable.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDEN
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.

€ 1 999 264,00
Address
HELMHOLTZSTRASSE 10
01069 Dresden
Germany

See on map

Region
Sachsen Dresden Dresden, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
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.

€ 1 999 264,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0