The present proposal aims to realise an integrated pilot line focused on the developments of the wide–bandgap (WBG) semiconductors technologies for power and radio frequency (RF) electronics. The project will be realised by strengthening the existing facilities located in Finland, Italy, Poland, France, Austria, Germany and Sweden, and involving Universities and Research centres of the seven above-mentioned States operating in the field of advanced semiconductors and related technologies. The WBG semiconductor pilot lines will address all the front–end critical issues related to the realisation of devices with power and RF performance much higher than those realised by the conventional silicon technology, will define a clear roadmap for the development of such advanced technologies, will investigate strategies to improve the structural and electrical properties of WBG (and Ultra–WBG) semiconductors, and will develop new MEMS devices based on WBG and Ultra-WBG devices.

Microphones play an increasingly important role in how we communicate and perceive the world in our ever more digital and virtual lives. They have developed tremendously in the past decades in terms of size and cost and are now ubiquitous in consumer electronics as well as in professional and industrial applications. Yet, despite all this progress, microphone technology falls short of perceiving audio as well as the human ear: No microphone has self-noise ≤ 0 dB SPL (defined as the threshold of human hearing), the capability to sense sounds up to 130 dB SPL, and with a bandwidth of 20 kHz. The main objective of PIONEAR is to create the proof-of-concept of a novel miniature microphone with better-than-human-ear sound quality. It will be enabled by a radically new chromometric sensing solution, that PIONEAR will develop by integrating electronic, micro-mechanic and photonic technologies. To realise this new sensing technology PIONEAR brings together a unique consortium of 4 research partners and 3 SMEs from across Europe, all of which are leading experts in their field, e.g., in manufacturing the special vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL), fabricating the miniature acoustic chamber and membrane and assembling and packaging of the whole device with the highest precision. We expect PIONEAR to have a profound impact across multiple sectors: Armed with arrays of microphones that have very low noise, devices will be able to listen with programmable directivity and unprecedented selectivity, enabling products with intelligently selective, human-like, hearing. Applications range from consumer electronics and hearing aids to autonomous robots and vehicles, and environmental monitoring. Moreover, the underlying sensor concept is not limited to microphones. We expect that it will offer similar performance improvements in a broad range of sensor categories, e.g., pressure and ultrasonic sensors, biochemical sensors, gas and aerosol sensors, and accelerometers.

The project scope is to develop an innovative technology of germanium (Ge)-based VCSEL. The main objective is to develop a Ge-VCSEL epi-growth by MOCVD and MBE techniques and processing of high performance and reliable lasers to be integrated in 3D camera and LiDAR demonstrators. The key challenge is to achieve high crystal quality of grown layers while taking the advantage of a better crystallographic lattice sameness between Ge and Al gallium arsenide (GaAs), which enables to decrease misfit defects density and in consequence to increase the quantum efficiency of the device. Several characterisation methods will be used as X-ray diffraction and topography, depth high resolution SIMS, electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), atomic force microscopy, reflectance, PL mapping, and others. Each growing campaign will be concluded by processing of conventional VCSELs (GaAs-based) and VCSELs on Ge which will allow the verification of VCSELs parameters and comparison of both type devices. The VCSEL technology drives a dynamic market with constant need for innovative solutions. Demonstration of high performing devices of Ge-on-Si can unlock potentially large markets from optical data communications to imaging, lighting and displays, to the manufacturing sector, to life sciences, health care, security and safety. In commercial applications, the performance, costs and the strong reduction of toxic elements will be very important factors to drive a replacement of the current technology. The Ge, offering a higher yield and less production losses due to higher uniformity at larger size wafer, is promised to lower the environmental burden compared to expensive GaAs substrate. As the VCSEL sector is developing dynamically with laser production expected to triple in the next five years, the project, with its innovative Ge-VCSEL solution, has the potential to significantly contribute to the reduction of lasers’ global usage of toxic materials, and improve the device performances.

This proposal describes the third core project of the Graphene Flagship. It forms the fourth phase of the FET flagship and is characterized by a continued transition towards higher technology readiness levels, without jeopardizing our strong commitment to fundamental research. Compared to the second core project, this phase includes a substantial increase in the market-motivated technological spearhead projects, which account for about 30% of the overall budget. The broader fundamental and applied research themes are pursued by 15 work packages and supported by four work packages on innovation, industrialization, dissemination and management. The consortium that is involved in this project includes over 150 academic and industrial partners in over 20 European countries.

EU-TRAINS aims to reinforce the supply chain on sensors for biomechanics and cardiovascular system real-time monitoring targeting applications in the fields of fitness and healthcare. It leverages from the strength of EU digital microsystem and design to support a 100% made-in-Europe supply chain of solutions which encompass smart-textile integration as well as advanced AI-based edge-cloud data processing. In details the following outcomes are foreseen: - Textile integrated electronic systems for real-time monitoring of hearth, respiratory and movement parameters on-the-air and in-water through an interdisciplinary approach; - Semiconductor technologies which allow the re-use of micro-nano systems both in the sports and in the healthcare sectors; - Miniaturized devices allowing the capturing of bio-chemical parameters able to withstand harsh ambient conditions such as salt fogs, chlorine, detergents, high and low temperatures, etc. The following key activities are targeted: - Development, prototyping and demonstration of versatile sensors with edge AI features for improved precision and reliability, that can also be integrated in textiles as well as in smart wearable wrist-watches and in sport equipment and gears targeting also underwater applications; - Cloud-edge Artificial Intelligence combined approaches for reliable diagnosis of body parameters. This will comprise sensor’s self-learning, remote update, multi-sensing approaches based on sensor arrays; - Novel materials that support electronics printing in textiles with stretchability and self-healing capabilities. Societal benefits are foreseen in the transition to a healthier lifestyle by promoting regular physical activity through affordable tools and services for a large audience, including people with disabilities. Moreover, this will impact the smart/remote-healthcare sector which will benefit of the availability of low-cost microfabricated solutions for intelligent, versatile, connected body sensors.