Project description
A novel approach for ultrafast, energy-efficient and scalable artificial intelligence systems
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has pushed the limits of traditional computing systems that struggle with energy efficiency and scalability issues. To address these challenges, researchers are exploring neuromorphic computing – systems inspired by the brain’s design – and photonics, which uses light for faster and more efficient processing. However, building all-optical neural networks is difficult owing to weak nonlinear optical interactions that are essential for complex computations. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Q-MIND project will leverage phonon-polaritons – quantum hybrids of light and lattice vibrations – in 2D materials and doped semiconductors. These materials can guide light at the nanoscale with minimal energy loss while enabling strong nonlinear interactions.
Objective
In the last years, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven critical advancements in sectors like healthcare, autonomous vehicles, entertainment, and finance, transforming science, technology, and our daily lives. Deep-learning neural networks (NNs) are central to many of these AI systems due to their ability to learn complex patterns, largely owing to their nonlinear activation function. However, NNs are typically built on traditional von Neumann architectures, where separate memory and processing units result in inefficiencies, leading to high costs and energy consumption as AI models grow more complex. This has boosted great interest in unconventional computing architectures, like neuromorphic computing, which mimics the brain's design for more sustainable and scalable AI systems. Photonics presents a promising solution here, offering unmatched speed, parallel processing, and energy efficiency that outperform traditional electronic chips. Despite this potential, realizing all-optical NNs presents considerable technical challenges. Key obstacles include weak nonlinear optical interactions, which are essential for creating complex input-output relations in NNs via nonlinear activation functions. In turn, plasmonic systems can provide stronger nonlinearities, but ohmic losses hinder their application.
Q-MIND aims pioneer a radically-new nanometer-scale, ultrafast and energy-efficient technology to address current limitations in neuromorphic computing. Specifically, it will integrate phonon-polaritons—quantum hybrids of light and lattice vibrations—in 2D materials, which can guide light at the nanoscale with minimal energy loss, and heavily doped semiconductors, which will provide tunability and dynamic control of nonlinear interactions. Both materials' nonlocal behavior will be key to unlocking novel nanoscale nonlinear processes at the heart of Q-MIND's vision.
Q-MIND aligns with EU and UN priorities on sustainable development and AI and quantum technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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16163 Genova
Italy
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