PhD position on Memristive Smart Materials for Information Processing
Are you a creative thinker who wants to pioneer physical learning in real devices? This exciting PhD project aims to harness the nanoscale physics of advanced materials for realizing self-learning networks on a chip, with a direct route to industrial applications.
This position is part of the NWO KIC Smart Materials project, Smart Materials for Information Processing, in collaboration with the NanoElectronics (NE) group at the University of Twente and the Infomatter group at AMOLF. The SMIP project aims at revolutionising computing by developing adaptive, smart materials that combine memory and learning directly within their structure, uniting theory and experiment. These materials adapt their computations over time, reducing energy use and improving efficiency. Partnering with Toyota and Demcon TSST, SMIP will showcase this innovation through a self-learning chip prototype, improving performance and durability in automotive applications.
Specifically, this PhD project focuses on memristive materials as electronic realizations of the hysteron concept at the heart of the SMIP project. A hysteron is characterized by a hysteretic current-voltage characteristic; thereby, its response depends critically on its history. You will work on conceptualizing, fabricating, and characterizing effective memristive devices, with the goal of forming device networks for realizing the physical learning paradigm developed at AMOLF. You will integrate these memristive devices with the reconfigurable nonlinear processing units (RNPUs) developed in the NE partner group to harness the full richness of both material platforms.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before September 30.
About the department
You will be working in the Interfaces and Correlated Electron Systems (ICE) group of prof. Hans Hilgenkamp. Our research focuses on device concepts based on materials and interfaces with unconventional electronic properties, especially related to interactions between the mobile charge carriers. We aim to bridge fundamental studies with application-oriented ‘proof-of-principle’ device developments. Most of the experimental research concentrates around thin film samples, which are fabricated in house with advanced thin film deposition and structuring techniques. The ICE group is part of the MESA+ institute and a founding member of BRAINS, the Centre for Brain-Inspired Computing at the University of Twente.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
