04/05/2026
With “neuroNODE”, a forward-looking research project is being established at .ilmenau that opens up new pathways for energy-efficient electronics 💡. The project is supervised by Prof. Hannes Töpfer.
At the center is a question that is increasingly shaping our digital everyday life: How can growing data volumes, , and modern communication technologies be used in the long term without continuously driving up the associated energy demand?
combines physics and engineering and makes use of a special physical effect: . At very low temperatures, certain materials lose their electrical resistance, allowing current to flow almost without loss. Electronics based on these materials promise a drastically higher energy efficiency, a decisive step for sustainable digital technologies 🌍
The neuroNODE approach is inspired by biology. Our nervous system processes information extremely efficiently. This principle serves as a model for so-called superconducting circuits, which process signals in a similar way to neurons. Such chips could work significantly faster in the future while consuming only a fraction of today’s energy.
Another focus lies on the connection between and electronics. Data is transmitted over long distances using light, but processing usually takes place on conventional chips. NeuroNODE pursues the goal of transferring optical signals directly into superconducting circuits, thereby enabling completely new, high-performance architectures 💡➡️⚡
The project is designed for three years and demonstrates the potential that lies in the combination of fundamental research and sustainable technology development. Partners of NeuroNODE include, among others, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology as well as the Quantum Optics Group at the Institute of Applied Physics at 🤝
Check out the Link in our bio!
