Top researcher to head new SDU section within microelectronics
Brain implants, intelligent sensors, and green AI microchips that mimic the low energy consumption of the brain. These are just some of the research topics that professor Farshad Moradi and his colleagues in SDU Microelectronics will explore.
Microchips rarely measure more than a few millimeters, yet their significance for the world is growing rapidly.
Professor Farshad Moradi knows everything about it. He holds a PhD in nanoelectronics from the University of Oslo, and in the past years, he headed the Section for Electronics and Photonics at Aarhus University.
Now, he and his colleagues have moved to the Faculty of Engineering at SDU, establishing SDU Microelectronics, a brand new section under the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME).
Here, as the name indicates, they will work with advanced electronics on a very small scale.
- SDU Microelectronics will focus on designing ultra-low-power integrated circuits for smart sensors, neuromorphic AI chips, and biomedical applications. We develop custom chips for brain-inspired computing, neuroprosthetics, sensors, brain implants, and real-time monitoring or prediction of health in systems. Our work bridges advanced electronics with spintronics, quantum, bio-signal processing, and intelligent edge devices, enabling next-generation systems for healthcare, AI, and sensing, says Farshad Moradi.
Technological independence
The work directly addresses some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Among other things, the scientific work of the researchers could help tackle the explosively growing power consumption of AI technology.
Geopolitically, microelectronics is also crucial these days, says Christian T. Veje, Head of Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering:
- It has become a pressing issue that in Europe, we need to step up concerning research and production of microchips, because technologically we are currently dependent on China and the US. Therefore, the EU has formed the partnership Chips Joint Undertaking in which the new section will be directly involved through the Danish Chips Competence Centre, says Christian Veje.
The urgency and important societal impact of the research topic is exactly why Henrik Bindslev, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, is pleased that SDU can now establish a dedicated section for research into microchips.
- Chip design and semiconductor technologies are at the heart of Europe’s strive for strategic autonomy, and they are vital for Danish and European competitiveness. Our new section will make valuable contributions to these objectives. We will endeavour to give this new effort the best conditions for growth and success. This includes fostering collaborations with our leading research in nanotechnology, health tech, and software engineering, alongside our internationally recognized strengths in robotics and drones, says Henrik Bindslev.
Strategic initiative
The new section is part of a strategic initiative within electronics at SDU in Odense, launched by the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Head of department Christian Veje is also enthusiastic about having Farshad Moradi and his colleagues join the team.
- Farshad Moradi is a top researcher within his field. At Aarhus University (AU), he built up a group that has achieved impressive results and even established spinouts. We look forward to taking that work even further here at SDU, says the Head of Institute.
For Farshad Moradi, it was the rich opportunities to work across disciplines and together with industry and the healthcare sector at Odense University Hospital (OUH) that attracted him and his colleagues to make the move to SDU in Odense.
- SDU offers a strong strategic focus on microelectronics and interdisciplinary research, with outstanding capabilities in health tech, robotics, and deep-tech innovation, says the professor and continues:
- SDU’s commitment to semiconductor excellence and real-world impact makes it the ideal place to scale our vision which is fostering industry collaboration, biomedical integration, and advanced AI chip development under one roof. However, we will continue our strong collaboration not only with AU, but also with other national and international institutes to make a strong hub in chip and semiconductor technology at SDU.