The FeLow-D project at the Institute of Solid-State Physics of the University of Latvia (ISSP UL) aims to boost research in low-dimensional ferroelectric (FE) materials for electronic and biomedical applications. This research field is now burgeoning due to multiple discoveries of novel functionalities and various applications of FEs in ambient energy harvesting, flexible sensors, smart implants, piezocatalytic devices, scaffolds for tissue regeneration, and many more. This initiative plans to establish ISSP UL as a leader in this field by creating a state-of-the-art research laboratory and making structural enhancements for sustainable growth. By appointing an outstanding ERA Chair holder, Dr. Andrei Kholkin (h=66), FeLow-D will attract top talents, prevent brain-drain, and promote open knowledge sharing within Research & Innovation system. Focusing on industry collaboration and intensive transition from lab innovations to market viability, the project will significantly contribute to European Research Area objectives. Through its dedication to advancing low-dimensional ferroelectrics, FeLow-D will ensure the development of novel FE materials and structures with exceptional performance, providing pathways to next-generation technologies for localized energy sources, smart biomedical systems, wearable sensors, piezoelectric scaffolds, etc., which will have a significant impact on scientific and technological development in Latvia and Europe. The development of FE devices will definitively improve the European position in the corresponding markets and bridge the gap between fundamental research, technology development, and practical applications of low-dimensional ferroelectrics.

Smart windows for zero energy buildings (SWEB) will rely on a variety of innovative smart windows (SW) solutions and products to meet the market growth potential and address the global environmental challenges faced by the EU to achieve and sustain zero energy buildings market. We propose the development of non-toxic, abundant, long-term functional SW materials (photochromic, thermochromic, electrochromic, transparent conducting), implemented in parallel with cost-effective, robust, and industrially scalable technologies for fabrication of low-cost thin-film SW and chromogenic devices with flexibility in design, such as photochromic, thermochromic, electrochromic and self-powered SW – the basis for zero energy buildings in smart cities. SWEB aims to recruit members of the ERA-Chair team that will bring complementary knowledge to the existing core team, thereby enhancing scientific excellence, increasing visibility, and bridging the gap between research to technology transfer. This will positively contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, European targets for Clean Energy for all Europeans, the Smart Specialisation Strategy of Latvia, and contribute to the European Research Area. The short-term aim is to create a functional ERA Chair team that can implement the strategies defined in the scope of the ERA Chair, and ensure sustainability after the end of the project. The long-term goal of the SWEB is to strengthen the Thin Films Laboratory and the Institute of Solid State Physics in achieving high scientific and innovation results and enhance stakeholders’ networks. With the support of the ERA Chair, ISSP is planning to establish the Briefing Demo Centre for renewable energy in Latvia as well as the EU joint graduate school on SW and zero energy buildings. Completion of these tasks will contribute to the EU becoming a climate neutrality flagship. The main task of the ERA Chair is to converge R&D&I, stakeholders, policymakers, and society.

PHORMIC establishes a European platform for next-generation programmable photonic chips with a low adoption threshold for product developers in diverse application domains. The PHORMIC platform consists of three tiers. The first tier is a 200 mm wafer-scale fabrication flow that augments an established world-class silicon photonics platform with transfer-printed III-V optical amplifiers and compact low-power MEMS actuators. The devices are encapsulated in wafer-scale hermetically sealed cavities that will also be used for on-chip gas cells to calibrate the tunable lasers built in PHORMIC. The combination of high-speed silicon photonics, broadband optical gain and low-power MEMS tuners is a true enabler for new applications. The process flow will be supported by a design kit for building complex photonic circuits. The second tier supplements the photonic chips with modular packaging processes and driver electronics (including highspeed drivers), and the packaging and connectivity logic are integrated in the design kit. This provides a low-threshold entry point for building complex photonic chip-based systems with active control and programmability. The third tier builds on this to create a multipurpose programmable photonic processor, which can control the flow of light in an analogue way through a software interface. This chip, together with its electronics and programming framework, forms a true “photonics development kit”. This enables an off-the-shelf use model like that of electronic FPGAs, reducing prototyping time for new concepts from >1 year to weeks. The PHORMIC consortium has all expertise to establish a full supply chain, including a migration path to a European industrial 200 mm foundry. The application potential of the three tiers of the platform is validated through three demonstrators, in datacenter communication, sensing and mm-wave wireless beamforming. For each case, a customdesigned chip will be compared to the multipurpose photonic processor.

The field of quantum technology is experiencing rapid development, with groundbreaking advancements. By establishing the Quantum Flagship initiative, the European Union has taken a proactive approach to quantum technologies. This initiative aims to explore and expand the frontiers of quantum technology. Quantum photonics plays a critical role within this framework. In light of this, our project seeks to chart a roadmap for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence of Quantum Photonics in Latvia. This endeavor holds significant importance as quantum photonics research remains underrepresented in Latvia and the other Baltic states, despite their untapped potential in materials synthesis and research. Notably, the Institute of Solid State Physics at the University of Latvia (ISSP UL) stands as one of the most esteemed institutes in the Baltic states, renowned for its expertise in studying optical properties of materials and conducting research on photonic elements. By leveraging the expertise of ISSP UL and fostering collaborations with scientific partners from Latvia and the Baltic states, we envision the creation of a European-level competitive quantum photonics centre centered around ISSP UL. Recognizing Latvia's latent potential in this field, it becomes imperative to develop a comprehensive roadmap for establishing such a centre of excellence. To achieve this ambitious goal and facilitate the transfer of knowledge about quantum photonics technologies, we have strategically chosen two esteemed Western Europe universities as our partners: the University of Trento and the University of Technology of Troyes. Both institutions boast a rich history of involvement in quantum photonics research and possess the necessary expertise to bridge the knowledge gaps at ISSP UL. Through the organization of conferences, schools, and workshops, our partners will lay the foundations for further research and inovation development at the institute.