Objective
Artificial intelligence and data processing demand ever-increasing computational power, pushing current infrastructure to its limits and with increasingly adverse environmental impact. Traditional electronic processors struggle with energy inefficiency and scalability, creating an urgent need for next-generation solutions. Optical computing, which processes information using light instead of electricity, offers a promising alternative by eliminating energy loss and enabling ultra-fast operations. However, widespread adoption has been limited by material constraints, complex fabrication, and poor integration with existing electronics.
VALVE overcomes these challenges by introducing an optoelectronic computing platform based on a universal lightwave control scheme. It integrates mono- and few-layer 2D materials into a photonic crystal fiber waveguide, enabling precise optical control without material-specific laser systems. This approach simplifies implementation, making optical computing more accessible to industry and reducing reliance on specialized academic facilities.
By bridging photonic and electronic paradigms, VALVE achieves simple computations—such as those needed for neural network training—at petahertz speeds while consuming far less energy than conventional processors. By improving scalability and lowering entry barriers, VALVE accelerates the commercialization of optical computing, paving the way for high-speed, energy-efficient AI hardware.
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.
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics optoelectronics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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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.
08860 Castelldefels
Spain
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.