Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

PROJECTED MEMRISTOR: A nanoscale device for cognitive computing

Objective

We are entering the third era of computing: cognitive computing, which holds great promise in terms of deriving intelligence/knowledge from huge volumes of data. Today’s cognitive computers are based on the von Neumann architecture, in which the computing and the memory units are separated. Cognitive computing, however, is inherently data-centric, meaning that huge amounts of data need to be shuttled back and forth at high speeds, a task at which that architecture is highly inefficient.

It is becoming increasingly clear that to build efficient cognitive computers, we need to transition to non-von Neumann architectures where memory and logic coexist in some form. Brain-inspired neuromorphic computing and the fascinating new area of memcomputing are two key non-von Neumann approaches being researched. The critical element in these novel computing paradigms is a very-high-density, low power, variable-state, programmable and non-volatile nanoscale memory device. A technological breakthrough that will lead us to this device will be a game-changer for cognitive computing.

The goal of this project is to explore one such device concept that I co-invented at IBM Research - Zurich and which we have dubbed “projected memristor” or “projestor” for short. The projestor is indeed a memristor, i.e. a resistive element that remembers the history of the current that previously flowed through the device. The distinguishing feature of a projestor is that the physical mechanism of resistance storage is decoupled from the information retrieval process.

In the first part of the project, we will design and fabricate projestor devices to establish the concept of projection and assess its merits and drawbacks. In the second part, we will expand the concept substantially to explore highly innovative projestor devices. In the third part, we will explore various applications of projestors in neuromorphic computing and memcomputing, with a particular focus on real-time data analytics.

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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

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.

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.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2015-CoG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

IBM RESEARCH GMBH
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.

€ 2 555 525,00
Address
SAEUMERSTRASSE 4
8803 RUESCHLIKON
Switzerland

See on map

Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Aargau
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
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.

€ 2 555 525,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0