We look forward to welcoming researchers, policymakers, innovators, small and big businesses to this joint workshop of the European Innovation Council and the EuroTech Universities Alliance. Join us on 15 October 2024 in Brussels for a full day of updates and insights, discussions, and networking.
Sustainable electronics represent a unique opportunity for the future of EU industrial autonomy in a decarbonised and digital society. It has been predicted that by 2050, the production of electronic components and devices will rise exponentially and thus the use of raw materials in the sector will increase accordingly. As a result, the amount of electronic waste is also set to rise massively. The environmental footprint of electronics can be drastically reduced by shifting to innovative manufacturing methods, using materials with a lower environmental impact, and tackling the energy consumption from the design phase to the end of life of the devices developed. This is in line with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan as well as complementary with the objectives of the European Chips Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Against this backdrop, the European Innovation Council and the EuroTech Universities Alliance are teaming up to provide a sneak peek into the future of electronics and highlight the importance of research and innovation in this field. A full-day workshop will bring together policymakers, researchers, innovators, small and big businesses. The workshop will be accompanied by a one-week exhibition with a selection of compelling demonstrators and informative posters, showcasing the outcomes of research and innovation done in Europe.
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Agenda
Please note that the agenda is subject to change.
09:00 Registration
- Anne-Marie Sassen, Head of Unit “Programme Managers Office”, Executive Agency for EIC and SMEs (EISMEA), European Commission
- Christine Nellemann, EuroTech Governing Board Chair and Dean for Sustainability, Technical University of Denmark
- Marco Ceccarelli, Programme Officer at Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology (DG CNECT), European Commission: The EU Chips Act
- Javier Sanfelix, Policy Officer at Industrial Transformation Unit, Directorate-General Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission: Advanced materials for industrial leadership
- Martin Lange, Policy Officer Raw Materials at Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission: The Critical Raw Materials Act
Isabel Obieta Vilallonga, EIC Programme Manager for Sustainable Semiconductors, Executive Agency for EIC and SMEs (EISMEA), European Commission
11:00 Coffee break
- Jean-Pierre Raskin, Full Professor at Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics, Université catholique de Louvain
- Leo T. Kenny, Research Professor at the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM) and Chair of the EHS/Sustainability Technical Work group for the IRDS (International Roadmap for Devices and Systems)
- Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, Full Professor in both Materials Science and Engineering and Physics, next President of EPFL: Sustainability in energy harvesting
- Rob Hoeben, Senior Director of Strategy, NXP Semiconductors
- Corinna Wolf, Vice President, Global Head of Sustainability & Human Rights Officer, Infineon Technologies AG: Digitalization & Decarbonization – How Infineon shapes sustainable electronics
- Alexis Gamboa, Co-founder and Managing Director, LoopID
13:00 Lunch break
An opportunity to showcase your project/start-up in front of relevant investors and industry players who will give feedback on your opportunities towards exploitation and investment.
Innovative materials panel:
- Sarah Luppino, Investor, Technology Investments, M Ventures
- Bedwyr Humphreys, Corporate Business Development, Lam Research
- Marco Cravetto, Business Analyst, LIFTT
Novel devices panel:
- Johan Haspeslagh, Senior Venture Development, imec
- Eric Fribourg-Blanc, Senior Programme Officer, Chips Joint Undertaking
- Shane Phelan, Senior EE Sustainability Architect, Logitech
Panel discussion moderated by Isabel Obieta Vilallonga, Executive Agency for EIC and SMEs (EISMEA), European Commission
- Jean-Pierre Raskin, Full Professor at Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics, Université catholique de Louvain
- Corinna Wolf, Vice President, Global Head of Sustainability & Human Rights Officer, Infineon Technologies AG
- Angelo Wille, Deputy Head of Unit European Innovation Council, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Leo T. Kenny, Research Professor at the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM) and Chair of the EHS/Sustainability Technical Work group for the IRDS (International Roadmap for Devices and Systems)
16:45 End
Our confirmed expert speakers
Click on the photos to learn more about the speakers’ backgrounds. We are constantly updating this list with new confirmed speakers and bios.
Marco Ceccarelli
Programme Officer at Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology (DG CNECT), European Commission
Bio to follow
Marco Ceccarelli
European Commission
Marco Cravetto
Business Analyst, LIFTT
Bio to follow
Marco Cravetto
LIFTT
Anna Fontcuberta i Morral
Head of Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and President-elect of EPFL
Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral is the next president of EPFL beginning her term on January 1st, 2025. She is a Full Professor in Materials Science and Engineering and in Physics, the head of the Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials, and the associate Vice President for Centers and Platforms.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Barcelona (Spain) in 1997 and went on to attain an impressive series of professional achievements. In 2001, she obtained a PhD in materials science from Ecole Polytechnique in Palaiseau (France). She served as a postdoc and a visiting scientist at the California Institute of Technology with Prof. Harry Atwater, with whom she co-founded Aonex Technologies. Before moving to Switzerland and joining EPFL in 2008, she worked as a team leader at the Technical University of Munich, where she obtained her habilitation in experimental physics.
She has been a member of Research council since 2015. From 2020 to 2024, Anna served on the Presiding Board of the Swiss National Foundations’ Research Council. She is member of the EPFL-WISH foundation and its former president, a foundation whose goal is to support female students in accomplishing their professional goals. She is also a member of the Swiss Quantum Commission of the Swiss Academy of Science.
Among the awards she has received are the Marie Curie Excellence Grant, ERC Starting Grant, the SNSF-backup schemes Consolidator Grant, and the EPS Emmy Noether prize.
Anna Fontcuberta i Morral
EPFL
Eric Fribourg-Blanc
Senior Programme Officer, Chips Joint Undertaking
Bio to follow
Eric Fribourg-Blanc
Chips Joint Undertaking
Alexis Gamboa
Co-founder and Managing Director, LoopID
Experience:
- LoopID – Co-founder
- TWINU – Co-founder
- OnaTaet – Collaborator
- Akurey – Independent Consultant
- EY – Senior Consultant and Developer
- Tecnológico de Costa Rica – Researcher
Education:
- Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM) – Honours degree
- Technical University of Munich – Master's degree, Data Analysis and Engineering
- Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg – International Business / Computer Engineering
- Tecnológico de Costa Rica – Bachelor’s Degree, Computer Engineering
Alexis Gamboa
LoopID
Johan Haspeslagh
Senior Venture Development, imec
Bio and photo to follow
Johan Haspeslagh
Senior Venture Development, imec
Rob Hoeben
Senior Director of Strategy, NXP Semiconductors
Rob is a commercial executive who has been working with Philips and NXP for over 25 years and has global experience in senior marketing, business development and general management roles. Customer and market focus. Bringing new applications/ technologies to market. Structures the organization while keeping focus on creating results. Ability to lead global teams with different cultures. Technical background combined with business management. In one of his roles, Rob has lived in Zurich, Switzerland for 3 years.
Rob Hoeben
NXP Semiconductors
Bedwyr Humphreys
Corporate Business Development, Lam Research
Bio to follow
Bedwyr Humphreys
Lam Research
Leo T. Kenny
Research Professor at the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM) and Chair of the EHS/Sustainability Technical Work group for the IRDS (International Roadmap for Devices and Systems)
Dr. Leo T Kenny (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leotkenny/) has worked in a broad range of professional roles in science, engineering, and technology in a career which has spanned more than four decades, in industry, academia, government and consulting in various technical leadership, management roles (people, projects and programs).
Leo is currently a Research Professor at the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM) in the Albuquerque NM area. He is also the Principal and Founder of PLANET SINGULAR, a technical consulting and advising firm focusing on environmental technology development, materials design and green chemistry, environmental sensing, smart infrastructure, and technical leadership strategies for EHS and Sustainability for industry, government, academic and nonprofit organizations.
Leo is currently the Chair of the EHS/Sustainability Technical Work group for the IRDS (International Roadmap for Devices and Systems) for the Semiconductor Industry and a prior Co-Chair of the Sustainable Electronics Section for INEMI, the international roadmap for the electronics Industry. Leo has been an Industrial Board Member and Advisor to the NSF SRC ERC consortia based at the University of Arizona, and a past Executive in Residence at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group based in San Jose CA, a policy advocacy nonprofit organization, serving on their Environment, and Energy Committees as a Technical Advisor.
Leo earned a BS in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, as well as a BS in Chemistry from The University of Arizona in Tucson. Leo holds a PhD in Physical Inorganic Chemistry from Tufts University in Boston, with a research focus on thin film batteries and electrochromic smart window devices.
Leo T. Kenny
University of New Mexico and IRDS
Martin Lange
Policy Officer – Raw Materials at Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission
Martin Lange is Policy Officer - Raw Materials at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) since March 2024. During his 15-years of public service at the European Commission he has been involved in the design and implementation of various parts of the Research & Innovation Framework Programmes: the European Innovation Council’s Pathfinder under Horizon Europe, Future and Emerging Technologies under Horizon 2020 as well as Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under FP6, FP7 and Horizon 2020. Before joining the Commission, Martin worked as researcher in both industrial and academic context. He holds a PhD in Physics from K.U. Leuven and a Master in Physics from RWTH Aachen.
Martin Lange
European Commission
Sarah Luppino
Investor, Technology Investments, M Ventures
Sarah Luppino is an Investor at M Ventures, the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. She leads the team's efforts on sustainability investments, and also invests in semiconductors and frontier tech as part of the Technology Investments team. Sarah earned her Ph.D. from MIT in chemistry, where her thesis research centered on the synthesis and applications of organic electronics. Prior to joining M Ventures, Sarah spent time at MIT-spinout QD Vision as well as with the energy and sustainability startup Inodú. She also spent a few years with the global boutique business strategy consulting firm Mars & Co, where she worked on projects spanning a variety of different industries, functions, and geographies. Sarah currently serves as a Board Director on three M Ventures portfolio company Boards, including semiconductor metrology company UNISERS.
Sarah Luppino
M Ventures
Christine Nellemann
EuroTech Governing Board Chair and Dean for Sustainability, Technical University of Denmark
Christine Nellemann is the Dean of Sustainability, Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Development at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). She previously served as Director of the National Food Institute (2015-2023) and held various leadership roles at DTU since 2008. She holds a PhD in Medicine and an MSc in Human Biology from the University of Copenhagen, an Executive MBA from DTU Business, and Board Leadership education from Copenhagen Business School. Christine has a strong background in life sciences and food research, providing high-level scientific advice to national and international authorities. She is also a member of the Danish Council of Ethics. Christine aims to foster greater collaboration across academic fields to drive sustainable change at DTU.
Christine Nellemann
EuroTech Universities Alliance and DTU
Isabel Obieta Vilallonga
EIC Programme Manager for Sustainable Semiconductors, Executive Agency for EIC and SMEs (EISMEA), European Commission
Isabel obtained a Master Degree in Physics (Semiconductor Physics) from the University of the Basque Country (Spain) and subsequently, earned a Doctoral Degree in Science (Microelectronics-Materials for Sensors) from the University of Navarra (Spain).
She started her career at AT&T Microelectronics transferred to AT&T-Bell Laboratories (USA) in the field of modelling and simulation of electronic components. Back in Spain, she joined one of the leading manufacturers of Power Discrete components, as an R&D Engineer and later, became Manager of Engineering and Production of the Wafer Fab, what gave her a wide picture of the microelectronics industry. At that position, she started her links with the European Commission as the representative of the group in Eurimus (Eureka Initiative for promotion of microsystem uses) Technical Committee.
Several years later, Isabel transitioned to Project Management in the field of Materials and Microtechnologies for Electronics in the largest technology center in Spain, Tecnalia, where she has initiated, managed and coordinated several new initiatives like the Nanotechnologies Program or the Printed Electronics Platform. She has also been Director of several Business Areas leading their market-technology and IP strategy. During all those years, she has been managing a large portfolio of European and private projects in the field of Micro-Nanofabrication, Functional Surfaces, Sensors and Printed Electronics.
All along her career, she has combined her job with activities as expert in innovation by performing Technology Due Diligences, evaluating new business opportunities for Venture capitals and Family offices or as Innovation Radar Expert for EU projects. She holds a title in Expert in Management of Innovation and Technology from Deusto Business School.
In September 2022 she joined the European Innovation Council as Programme Manager for Sustainable Electronics.
Isabel Obieta Vilallonga
European Commission
Shane Phelan
Senior EE Sustainability Architect, Logitech
Shane Phelan, Electronic Engineer, has over 15 years of experience in various sectors of the electronics industry, including hybrid power generation systems in Africa, industrial pathogen detection systems, consumer-grade IoT sensing, and autonomous robotics targeted at the agricultural industry. Many of these applications were developed in startup companies.
He currently works at Logitech, a known leader in sustainable product development in the consumer electronics industry. Shane is responsible for the roadmap and strategy for sustainable electronic components in Logitech HID. He works with engineering, operations, supply managament teams and suppliers to develop and source the latest technology to reduce the impact of current and next generation of products. He visits all of the factories in central Asia to identify the CO2e impact from its source and develop technology to target that source. He also works closely with LCA specialists to quantify the impact of all of the new technologies coming into the pipeline.
He also is part of the TV show known as “The Big Life Fix”. He works with a team of Ireland’s leading inventors and engineers that come together to design and create bespoke solutions to help individuals and communities facing various challenges.
Shane earned a B.Eng in Electronic Engineering as well as a M.Eng in Telecommunications Engineering from Dublin City University. Shane also holds a PhD in Electronic Engineering from Dublin City University.
Shane Phelan
Logitech
Jean-Pierre Raskin
Full Professor at Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics, Université catholique de Louvain
Jean-Pierre Raskin received the M.S. and PhD degrees in applied sciences from Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, in 1994 and 1997, respectively. In 1998, he joined the EECS Department of The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, for a post-doc of two years. In 2000, he joined the Microwave Laboratory of UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, as Associate Professor, and he has been a Full Professor since 2007. From September 2009 to September 2010, he was visiting professor at Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. His research interests are the modeling, wideband characterization and fabrication of advanced SOI MOSFETs as well as micro and nanofabrication of MEMS / NEMS sensors and actuators, including the extraction of intrinsic material properties at nanometer scale. He is involved in the development of a more sustainable electronics. He has been managing a Chair of Excellence in eco-innovation at CEA-Leti since January 2024.
He has been IEEE Fellow since 2014. He received the Médaille BLONDEL 2015, the SOI Consortium Award 2016, the European SEMI Award 2017, the Médaille AMPERE 2019, the Georges Vanderlinden Prize 2021 and the IET Achievement Medal in Electronics 2022, in recognition in his vision and pioneering work for RF SOI. He is author or co-author of more than 400 scientific journal articles.
He has been elected member of the Royal Academy of Belgium in 2023.
Jean-Pierre Raskin
Université catholique de Louvain
Javier Sanfelix
Policy Officer at Industrial Transformation Unit, Directorate-General Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission
Javier Sanfelix, chemical engineer with PhD on engineering sciences in the field of environmental and economic impact assessment of batteries for electric vehicles. Currently works as policy officer at the Industrial Transformation Unit at the European Commission – DG Research and Innovation, dealing with research policy in the field of advanced materials. Before he has worked at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission providing scientific support for polices in sustainable production and consumption, with a focus on circular economy strategies.
Javier Sanfelix
European Commission
Anne-Marie Sassen
Head of Unit "Programme Managers Office", Executive Agency for EIC and SMEs (EISMEA), European Commission
Bio to follow
Anne-Marie Sassen
European Commission
Angelo Wille
Deputy Head of Unit European Innovation Council, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
Bio to follow
Angelo Wille
European Commission
Corinna Wolf
Vice President, Global Head of Sustainability & Human Rights Officer, Infineon Technologies AG
Since June 2024, Corinna Wolf heads the sustainability department of Infineon, reporting to the Infineon management board. She is responsible for the company’s sustainability strategy and oversees its execution across all business areas. In this role, she is key to driving Infineon’s efforts for decarbonization in its own business area but also with regards to its products and applications. Since June 2024, and as the first semi-conductor company worldwide, Infineon provides customers with the carbon footprint for its products at a level of detail and transparency that is so far unique in the industry.
Corinna is a fervent driver of sustainability, innovation and digitalization in a strong alliance with growth. She believes that only in this combination much needed progress can be achieved.
Prior to 2024, Corinna has led the marketing communications, partnership management and emerging applications activities of Infineon’s Power Sensor & Systems Division. In this function, she was responsible for all product & application campaigns, trade fairs and events, for piloting innovative formats for positioning Infineon in decarbonization and digitalization, and for generating revenue and driving brand-positioning through partnerships.
Prior to 2022, Corinna worked as the Global HR Business Partner to the Infineon CMO where she drove major transformation projects in the sales & marketing area for Infineon, as well as digitalization and leadership development initiatives.
Prior to her re-joining Infineon in 2016, Corinna worked for ENGIE, a French energy utility provider, where she held different HR leadership roles in various countries in Europe. She was part of the selected project team driving Engie’s Digital Strategy in 2014. Before joining ENGIE in 2009, she worked for 5 years at the memory unit of Infineon, Qimonda, at the Frontend site Dresden.
Corinna holds a diploma degree in Economics, English and Education from the Technical University of Dresden. She lives in Munich.
Corinna Wolf
Infineon Technologies AG
Our exhibitors
The exhibitors will present various demonstrators. Click on the pictures to find out more about what they do!
Critical Dimension Metrology of Optical Metasurfaces, Gratings and Thin Films
TeraNova offers non-destructive solutions for critical dimension metrology of nanostructures over extended surfaces using advanced optical scatterometry. Our expert team in optics, nanophotonics, is based at Eindhoven University, in the heart of the Brainport region, granting us access to state-of-the-art equipment for cutting-edge development and measurement of nanostructures and high-tech materials.
Since the company was founded in 2019, we have launched the LabScatter, a patented tool based on Fourier microscopy with collimated illumination. This optical instrument simultaneously captures diffracted and reflected light, allowing us to extract relevant parameters of periodic nanostructured surfaces like
grating pitch, height, width, layer thickness, sidewall angle, and refractive index with nanometer precision. Our precise spatial mapping of critical dimensions provides essential information about the quality of nanostructures and wafers, crucial for photonics, (organic) semiconductors, and quantum applications.
Metrology instruments, such as LabScatter, will be needed for mass production of nanostructured optoelectronic devices over large areas, such as (O)LEDs for displays.
Exhibitors: Dr. Mohammad Ramezani, Prof. dr. Jaime Gomez Rivas, Dr. Matthijs Berghuis, TeraNova
Website: https://teranova.nl
Category: Start-up (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Critical Dimension Metrology of Optical Metasurfaces, Gratings and Thin Films
Disorder, Dissipation and Efficiency in Semiconductor Devices
Spectroscopy of electrons in working devices
Crystalline disorder in semiconductors and at semiconductor surfaces plays a central role in determining device efficiencies and dissipation, and can also enable device functionality. Novel experimental approaches developed at IP Paris are helping to reveal new details of the effect of disorder on recombination processes (including light emission) and electrical conduction in operational semiconductor devices. In addition to being of fundamental interest, this information can be used by engineers to make informed decisions regarding the choice of materials, fabrication procedures and device geometries.
One example of work undertaken at IP Paris includes the development of a scanning tunneling luminescence
microscope (STLM) that combines the nanometer spatial resolution of scanning tunneling microscopy with the spectral resolution of optical measurement methods. STLM has recently been used to image excess light emission around V-defects in nitride heterostructures used in lighting applications, and has detected light emission from nanoscale defects at the oxidized silicon carbide surface which are responsible for excess dissipation in power transistors.
Exhibitor: Alistair Rowe, Laboratoire de physique de la matière condensée, Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Website: https://pmc.polytechnique.fr
Category: Research group
Disorder, Dissipation and Efficiency in Semiconductor Devices
Enable Sustainable Profits from Physical Products
LoopID uses Digital Product Passports as digital twins for physical products to facilitate circular business models as repair, resell, reuse, refurbish, etc. Digital product passports will be required for all physical products sold, produced or being used in the EU. They consist of a tag (QR code/NFC) and a digital asset with all the individual product‘s supply chain information and lifecycle data, including data collected during use phase and its end of life. LoopID enables product-centric development, generating interoperable digital twins of products leveraging decentralized identifiers, verified credentials, knowledge graphs and AI embeddings to function as the source of truth for every single product information.
Our core offering is open source to facilitate collaboration on the communication and function aspects of each DPP and our business model turns around custom modules (e.g. branded p2p recommerce) that extends the basic capabilities of every DPP.
Exhibitors: Alexis Gamboa, Christian Adler, LoopID
Website: https://www.loopid.com
Category: Start-up (Technical University of Munich)
Enable Sustainable Profits from Physical Products
Optical Metasurfaces for Improved Organic LEDs
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are a class of light-emitting devices that use organic compounds to produce light in response to an electric current. OLEDs are known for their vibrant colors, high contrast ratios, and flexibility, making them ideal for applications in displays and lighting. However, only 25% of the injected current creates light, limiting the overall efficiency of the OLED. Recent advancements focus on developing new materials with higher emission efficiencies to overcome the limitations and push OLEDs towards higher efficiency and broader commercial adoption.
The EIC Pathfinder Open project SCOLED focuses on a new solution for improving OLEDs. It exploits resonant phenomena in nanoparticle arrays that can be integrated into OLED geometries. These arrays can couple to the emission and modify drastically its properties. Different effects can be achieved: Light outcoupling can be improved and controlled by the array, improving also the efficiency. In this way, it is possible to achieve omnidirectional emission or highly directional emission, depending on the application. The polarization of this emission is also determined by the array, which enables novel applications. By controlling the coupling between the array and the organic material, it might be also possible to improve the light generation and the overall device efficiency.
Exhibitors: Dr. Matthijs Berghuis, Prof. dr. J. Gomez Rivas, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology
Website: https://scoled.eu
Category: EIC-funded project
Optical Metasurfaces for Improved Organic LEDs
Probabilistic Computing with Organic Devices
The project develops low cost, green organic technologies for probabilistic computing to allow continuous and private monitoring of bio-signals. We use physiological organic sensors that interface with the human body (Prof. Esma Ismailova, IMT, France). Electronic circuits are fabricated in Organic Thin Film Transistors (OTFTs) (Dr. Lina Kadura, CEA-LITEN, France) and Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) (Dr. Hans Kleemann, TUD, Germany). Circuit designs are developed by Dr. Laurie Calvet (Ecole Polytechnique, IPP France), based on device modeling by Prof. Benjamin Iniguez (URV, Spain).
OTFT circuits transform electrical signals from sensors into probabilities, which are input into an OECT circuit that performs a classification. The project integrates the three technologies onto a flexible substrate with a circuit size of ~50 transistors. The application is developed with a neurotech (Dr. Luis Montesano, Bit & Brain, Spain).
First results demonstrate individual devices, validate the concepts via simulations, and prove a sustainability of ~100X compared to conventional technologies. The ideas can be extended to classifications for many sensors at the edge of large networks.
Exhibitor: Laurie Calvet, Laboratoire de Physique des Interfaces et des Couches Minces, Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Website: https://www.bayflex.cnrs.fr
Category: EIC-funded project
Probabilistic Computing with Organic Devices
Scalable Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits
Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are transforming communications and computing by enabling faster and more energy-efficient data transmission and processing. However, most PIC solutions are tailored to specific applications, resulting in high costs and limited scalability. To enable broader technological progress, a programmable and general-purpose PIC platform is essential. Currently, programmable PICs rely on thermo-optic tuning, which controls the speed of light through the heating of photonic waveguides. This method is inefficient and unsustainable due to its significant power dissipation.
The NEUROPIC project focuses on developing programmable PICs based on Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) that use electrostatic actuation to induce nanoscale displacements in mechanically compliant waveguides to control the speed of light. Because electrostatic actuators only consume energy during displacement, NEMS enable reconfigurable photonic platforms with significantly lower power consumption. We use NEMS to create tunable couplers and phase shifters, enabling advanced functionalities like filtering, sensing, and data processing in large-scale programmable PICs.
Exhibitors: Babak Vosoughi Lahijani, Søren Stobbe, Photonic Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark
Website: https://www.neuropic-project.com
Category: EIC-funded project
Scalable Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits
In-motion knee diagnostics
Smart wearable platform for in-motion joint health assessment
The primary cause of knee pain is osteoarthritis, a debilitating condition marked by chronic discomfort, cartilage degeneration, tenderness, stiffness, joint noises (crepitus), and inflammation. Currently, proper diagnosis often occurs in the later stages of the disease, relying on patient history, clinical symptoms, and radiographic evidence.
Sensemodi offers a fast, reliable, and non-invasive smart wearable that assesses joint health through sensors that capture acoustic, thermal, and kinematic data while the knee is in motion. This innovative combination of sensor modalities, biometrics, and machine-learning analytics enables a comprehensive evaluation of joint integrity. Furthermore, the technology was specifically designed to meet low-power requirements for data acquisition and embedded analysis, incorporating highly optimized algorithms for feature extraction.
Our goal is to streamline the diagnostic process, allowing for earlier detection and expanding treatment options to slow the progression of the condition. This approach will also reduce the need for frequent practitioner visits, radiographic examinations, and their associated costs.
Exhibitors: Jérôme Thevenot, David Atienza, Tomas Teijeiro, Minja Lohrer, Sensemodi
Website: https://www.sensemodi.com
Category: Start-up (EPFL)
Smart wearable platform for in-motion joint health assessment
Sustainable Semiconductors for Scalable Solar Cell Applications
SOLARUP is a project consortium with complementary expertise at the forefront of Zn3P2 research, device architecture, and life cycle analysis. It proposes a solar energy conversion technology that will reduce dependence on critical raw materials and overcome efficiency thresholds for the future of flexible photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. Our main innovations lie in nanoengineering zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) for use as an earth-abundant semiconductor absorber combined with a novel and sustainable device architecture. Advanced manufacturing techniques such as displacement talbot lithography (DTL) and metalorganic vapour-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) are explored to open industrially scalable routes to synthesize high quality Zn3P2 films.
The main outcome of SOLARUP will be the demonstration of an ultrathin-film PV technology that is scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable, complete with a comprehensive life cycle analysis. In this sense our aim is to feed and inspire the development of Zn3P2-based solar cells towards a market ready technology.
Exhibitors: Raphaël Lemerle, Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials, EPFL; Melanie Micali, Center for Nanophotonics, AMOLF
Website: https://solarup-project.eu/
Category: EIC-funded project
Sustainable Semiconductors for Scalable Solar Cell Applications
In addition to the above-mentioned exhibitors with demonstrators, the following projects will be present with posters:
BlueArray: Integrated blue light phased arrays enabling underwater optical wireless networks
DOLORES: Digital optical computing platform for neural networks
SPIKEPro: Spiking photonic-electronic IC for quick and efficient processing
STELEC: Sustainable Textile Electronics
Practical information
Date and time:
Workshop: Tuesday, 15 October 2024, 09:00-16:45 CEST
Exhibition: Monday-Friday, 14-18 October 2024
Location: European Commission, CDMA, Rue du Champ de Mars 21, 1050 Brussels
Organisers: European Innovation Council, EuroTech Universities Alliance
Registration: Registration is closed.
In the weeks prior to the event, you will receive an invitation to the European Commission Visitor-Pass form. Please fill in the requested information and bring a valid ID to access the premises.
Pitches: Please note that we reserve the right to select pitches to ensure a wide coverage in terms of topics and presenters. We will confirm pitches on a rolling basis. Update 27 September: The pitch sessions are fully booked now, no more pitches can be accepted.
Audience
This conference is open to all.
Further information
For further information, please contact Anita Schneider or Astrid Kristensen (see contact details below).
