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Mass Manufacturing Augmented Reality (AR) Waveguides via Roll-to-Plate Nanoimprinting

Project description

Novel nanoimprint lithography process to mass produce augmented reality display optics

Roll-to-plate (R2P) nanoimprinting is a process often used in high-precision industries like electronics and optics. It uses a flexible stamp and a roller to imprint tiny, precise patterns onto a flat material. Netherlands-based company Morphotonics, with its patented R2P nanoimprinting technology, is poised to revolutionise the augmented reality (AR) industry by producing high-quality, low-cost waveguides for AR glasses. Morphotonics’ technology has shown promise in mass producing these essential components, as evidenced by interest from the main AR companies. Through the EIC-funded AR-R2P project, Morphotonics aims to refine its technology, validate its market readiness and establish a EUR 10 million European foundry for mass manufacturing of AR waveguides. This endeavour could potentially restore European control over AR optics hardware production.

Objective

Morphotonics has developed and patented a novel technology called Roll-to-Plate (R2P) nanoimprinting that can produce high-quality and low-cost waveguides used in the Augmented Reality (AR) glasses. Our technology is protected by 90 patents (26 already granted). Augmented Reality (AR) smartglasses are not yet mass manufactured for the consumer market especially because the AR industry struggles to mass produce low-cost high-quality waveguides. Our technology is very promising, as confirmed by our prestigious sampling customers (Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Vuzix etc.). With the EIC project, we want to fully mature our equipment and technology, and prove (via an external validation with a customer) that it meets the market specifications. Furthermore, we plan to request a 10 M€ equity component to set up a European foundry to mass manufactur AR waveguides. We expect that the foundry will be used mainly by European customers, who will then regain sovereignty over the AR hardware production.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended Finance

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01

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Coordinator

MORPHOTONICS BV
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.

€ 2 458 662,00
Address
DE RUN 4281
5503 LM Veldhoven
Netherlands

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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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.

€ 3 512 375,00

Participants (1)

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