Project description
Flawless 2D materials to boost energy efficiency in AI
Training and running AI requires massive, simultaneous calculations that consume enormous power. This will push silicon-based data centres towards an electricity crisis. Indium selenide – an ultra-thin 2D semiconductor – offers an energy-saving alternative because electrons move through it with minimal resistance. However, growing defect-free films at a large scale remains a critical barrier. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the VANDAI project will grow high-quality indium selenide using specialised buffer layers on silicon to eliminate crystal mismatches. The workflow includes synthesising these ultra-thin buffers, analysing material interfaces to prevent atomic defects, optimising chemical vapour deposition, and using advanced imaging and spectroscopy techniques to refine material growth. Ultimately, researchers will build and test a prototype field-effect transistor to validate its electronic performance.
Objective
VANDAI aims to deliver a breakthrough in sustainable AI hardware by developing wafer-scale, device-quality indium selenide (InSe) transistors as an energy-efficient alternative to silicon. With data centers projected to consume up to 30% of national electricity by 2034, largely driven by AI workloads, replacing today’s energy-intensive silicon devices is urgent. InSe, a 2D semiconductor with a direct, thickness-tunable bandgap and high carrier mobility, offers exceptional potential for next-generation transistors. However, scalable synthesis of defect-controlled InSe films remains a critical barrier.
This project will overcome that barrier by using van der Waals buffer layers—wafer-scale h-BN or MoS2 films grown on silicon—to minimize lattice mismatch, suppress defect nucleation, and enable coherent InSe growth. The workflow integrates (i) wafer-scale buffer synthesis with <5% thickness variation, (ii) buffer/InSe interface analysis to quantify coherency and defect initiation, (iii) InSe growth by optimized MOCVD at device-compatible conditions, and (iv) feedback from advanced TEM, AFM, Raman, and XPS to refine growth. A prototype lateral field-effect transistor (FET) will then be fabricated and electrically validated, targeting benchmark values for mobility, on/off ratio, and switching stability.
The fellowship combines advanced synthesis with state-of-the-art characterization and leverages expertise at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Cambridge. It will generate open datasets, high-impact publications, and industry-relevant patents, while strengthening the researcher’s skills in 2D materials and device fabrication. VANDAI directly supports the European Green Deal by reducing the carbon footprint of AI computing and positioning the UK and EU as leaders in 2D semiconductor manufacturing. The outcomes will pave the way for low-power electronics, new industrial opportunities, and climate-resilient digital infrastructure.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
Keywords
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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
E1 4NS LONDON
United Kingdom
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.