Project description
Nanoscale resistors pave the way for neuromorphic chips for computing
Neuromorphic computing seeks to leverage brain-like and synapse-like architectures and processing to open the door to the brain's amazing potential for computational power, speed, energy efficiency and learning. Ferroelectric materials exhibit a spontaneous polarisation that is reversible by the application of an electric field, making them suitable for memory storage. Ferroelectric resistors have additional benefits with tuneable resistance (and voltage) over a large continuous range that can emulate synapses. The EU-funded FREEMIND project is exploiting nanoscale ferroelectric resistors to realise synapses and neural networks on compact neuromorphic chips.
Objective
Neuromorphic computing such as deep-learning algorithms arise as a promising solution to treat the exploding amount of data generated worldwide, but at the cost of expensive time and energy budget on conventional hardware. There is an urgent need for a low-power, compact neuromorphic chip that can support bio-inspired computing: a network of cells collocating storage (non-volatility) and computing (synaptic plasticity). This work proposes to achieve such cell using a ferroelectric resistor, down-scaled to nanometer thickness to allow direct electron tunneling through the ferroelectric barrier (ferroelectric tunnel junction): the learning functionality (i.e. synaptic plasticity) will be implemented through the control of the distribution of the (non-volatile) ferroelectric domains. The fellow will bring her expertise in ferroelectric tunnel junctions and will combine it with IBM’s expertise in device and circuits integration and characterization, making use of the state-of-the-art equipment offered by their research center. In order to accelerate the creation of an end-to-end neuromorphic device, she will lead a collaboration with ETH Zurich and will benefit from their expertise in predictive physics-based modeling. The research project will aim at: (i) the demonstration of a non-volatile and plastic ferroelectric “synapse” made of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 – a fully CMOS-compatible material, (ii) the development of models of individual cells and of a neural network and (iii) providing design guidelines for neuromorphic hardware based on this technology. The outcome will be to evaluate performances not only of individual synapses but of a neural network as a whole. Through the Action, the fellow will not only aim at creating a novel technology; but also at leading an interdisciplinary research project uniting complementary actors for an innovative solution to a society challenge.
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.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning deep learning
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
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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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF-EF-SE - Society and Enterprise panel
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
8803 RUESCHLIKON
Switzerland
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.