Library FAQ
What outcomes are expected from Process integration proposals?
An energy generation/recovery/storage technology that demonstrates a clearly defined use case with quantitative measures of investment costs, efficiency, dynamic performance, durability and sustainability versus alternatives, integration at system/process leve...
What prototype and sustainability expectations apply to Green digital devices projects?
At project end you should deliver a mature prototype validated or demonstrated in a relevant environment (TRL 5/6) showing the proposed advantage in niche or general-purpose applications; activities should impact sustainability by using non-critical and non-to...
What specific requirements apply to Process integration proposals?
Applicants must identify supply and value chain actors needed to integrate the technology, focus de-risking on technological uncertainties, may use methodologies like Design, Build, Test and Learn with frequent iterations, consider involvement of final users w...
What Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) should Transition projects target?
Activities should increase maturity beyond proof of principle up to Technology Readiness Level 5 or 6 (TRL 5/6).
How are bio-based electronic devices manufactured?
Manufacturing approaches include processes like screen-printing and spray coating, and platforms that integrate biodegradable polymers with natural materials such as lignocellulose.
How could PICs affect ICT and related sectors in the next five to ten years?
PICs could enable more energy-efficient, higher-capacity networks, strengthen Europe's competitiveness in semiconductors and critical sectors, reduce ICT carbon emissions, and prompt updates to regulatory frameworks for secure and sustainable integration.
How might 2D and UWBG materials impact the next five to ten years?
They could drive advances in low-energy electronics, power electronics, optoelectronics, sensors, and quantum technologies, help Europe build semiconductor leadership, and contribute to more sustainable technologies.
How might emerging non-charge-based memories impact the next five to ten years?
They could enable specialised embedded memory solutions for IoT, automotive and low-power applications—areas where Europe can be competitive—provided technical hurdles are resolved for commercial viability.
How might neuromorphic chips affect computing over the next five to ten years?
They could substantially reduce ICT energy consumption, enable energy-efficient AI in image and speech recognition, data mining and autonomous systems, and support sustainable, high-integration AI platforms.
What advantages and challenges do non-charge-based memories present?
Advantages include low-voltage operation, reduced power consumption and random-access capability; challenges include variability, high-temperature retention, density limits and the need for improved reliability.
What are bio-based and biodegradable materials for electronics?
They are sustainable alternatives to conventional electronic components made from natural polymers and materials such as silk fibroin, chitosan, and lignin, used to create flexible, low-impact electronic devices.
What are emerging non-charge-based memories and examples?
They are non-volatile memories that use resistive or capacitive mechanisms instead of charge storage, including FeRAM, MRAM, PCRAM, ReRAM, and ferroelectric FET (FeFET).
What are Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)?
PICs integrate passive and active optical components to increase data capacity and reduce power consumption in ICT, with silicon photonics enabling techniques like Mode-Division and Wavelength-Division Multiplexing.
What are ultra-thin 2D materials and examples relevant to electronics?
Ultra-thin 2D semiconductors include transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, and WSe2, as well as MXenes and twisted 2D materials, characterised by body thicknesses under 1 nm and absence of dangling bonds.
What are ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors and their applications?
UWBG semiconductors such as AlN, Ga2O3, and diamond offer electrical properties suited to high-efficiency power devices, high-temperature applications, and solar-blind photodetectors for power electronics.
What environmental and social impacts could bio-based electronics have in the next five to ten years?
They could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and electronic waste, drive innovation in recycling, increase availability of eco-friendly consumer products, and foster standardised fabrication and recycling processes across the supply chain.
What is brain-inspired or neuromorphic computing?
Neuromorphic computing mimics brain neurons and synapses using digital, analog, or mixed circuits integrated with memory cells to achieve highly efficient computation for tasks like pattern recognition and data mining.
What is new about neuromorphic computing compared with traditional AI hardware?
Neuromorphic systems use non‑von Neumann architectures—memristive devices, photonic synapses and CMOS integration—to replicate neural functions with extreme power efficiency, with demonstrations of sub-femtojoule energy per bit in some material integrations.
What is new in PIC technology?
Key novelties include integration of non-native materials (e.g., thin-film lithium niobate), development of programmable photonic chips, and use of TFLN's non-linear properties for high-speed modulators and laser components.
What is novel about twisted 2D materials and MXenes?
Twisted 2D materials allow tuning of optical behaviour and interlayer coupling via adjustable twist angles, while MXenes enable multifunctional sensors and enhanced properties for power electronics and environmental monitoring.
Which technologies serve as synaptic elements in neuromorphic chips?
Non-volatile memory devices such as ReRAM, phase-change materials (PCM), and FeFETs are emerging candidates for synaptic elements in neuromorphic architectures.
Why are 2D materials promising for low-power and highly scaled electronics?
Their ultra-thin body and lack of dangling bonds provide excellent electrostatic control and high bandgaps (1.6–2 eV), enabling very low off-state currents, superior scalability, and aggressive channel-length scaling for energy-efficient devices.
Why are bio-based and biodegradable electronics considered sustainable?
They reduce reliance on toxic and non-recyclable materials, support circular-economy principles, and aim to lower the environmental impact of the electronics industry.
How and when must Pathfinder Challenge proposals be submitted?
Proposals must be submitted via the European Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal. The call deadline is 27 October 2021 at 17:00 Brussels time. Sections 1–3 of Part B (Excellence, Impact, Quality and Efficiency of Implementation) must be a maximum of 25 A4 pa...