Research Projects

Important Project of European Common Interest (IPCEI) on Microelectronics

Beyond-Nano is included in the Chapeau document of IPCEI on Microelectronics for carrying out the “Micro_Tech_for_Green” project. The activity will be focused on power transistors and sensors and their applications in the field of green energy and renewables, aiming at Technological Reading Level (TRL) of 6-7. Beyond-Nano will investigate and develop materials and technologies for novel SiC, GaN, and IGBT power transistors. In particular, such new power devices will be applied to Power optimizers/microinverters for bifacial photovoltaics and to Solar inverters.

GaN for Advanced Power Applications

Beyond-Nano is involved in the GaN4AP project funded by “Electronics Components and Systems for European Leadership – Join Undertaking” (ECSEL–JU) of Horizon 2020. The project targets innovative power electronic systems and materials, and a new generation of vertical power devices. It plans to develop intelligent and integrated GaN solutions both in system-in-package and monolithic variances. The development of new power supply devices and circuits using GaN-based electronics is crucial for the competitiveness of EU industries.

Electronics on Gan-based Technologies

Beyond-Nano is involved in the EleGaNTe project funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and University. The main objective of the project EleGaNTe (Electronics on GaN-based Technologies) was to develop the GaN key enabling technologies for a radar FMCW sensor capable to detect small obstacles for helicopters operating in critical conditions. Meanwhile, the project has promoted the creation of a National platform able to control the whole GaN supply chain, from material growth to device fabrication, to their potential integration within compact and low power consumption systems.

Metrology Advances for Digitized ECS industry 4.0

Beyond-Nano has been involved in the MADEin4 project funded by “Electronics Components and Systems for European Leadership – Join Undertaking” (ECSEL–JU) of Horizon 2020. Connecting nearly 50 European manufacturers and research and technology organisations, the project aimed at advanced and highly connected cyber physical systems using a novel Industry 4.0 approach that combines metrology data analysis and design with machine learning methodologies and digital twinning.

Modelling Unconventional Nanoscale Device FABrication

Beyond-Nano has been involved in the MUNDFAB project funded by “Information Comunication Technolgies” (ICT) of Horizon 2020. Emerging 3D sequential integration could alleviate the problems faced by 2D CMOS transistor technology. Bringing this architecture down to the nanoscale could additionally enhance the already sizeable benefits. Building on extensive experimental work and data, the MUNDFAB project has developed the requisite modelling and simulation tools that will foster innovation via virtual fabrication of the next generation of nanoscale electronic devices.

ESTEEM3  Enabling Science and Technology through European Electron Microscopy

ESTEEM3 is an integrating activity for electron microscopy providing access to the leading European state-of-the-art electron microscopy research infrastructures, facilitating and extending transnational access services of the most powerful atomic scale characterization techniques in advanced electron microscopy research to a wide range of academic and industrial research communities for the analysis and engineering of novel materials in physical, chemical and biological sciences.

Advances in Cost–Effective HV SiC Power Devices for Europe’s Medium Voltage Grids 

Beyond-Nano is actively engaged in the AdvanSiC project funded by the programs “Climate, Energy and Mobility” and “Energy Systems and Grids” of Horizon Europe. The objective of AdvanSiC is to produce, test and validate cost-effective HV SiC MOSFET semiconductors in various MVDC grid applications: a solid-state circuit breaker for DC converter stations, a full-scale wind converter and a full-scale solar inverter. The aim is to minimize HV SiC device cost by advanced design structures and process optimizations.

Toward Efficient eLEctrochemical GReen AMmonia cycle

Beyond-Nano is involved in the TELEGRAM project, funded by EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program, whose objective is to demonstrate, at the laboratory scale level, a complete green ammonia carbon–neutral energy cycle, based on electrochemical processes, enabling the use of ammonia as a green fuel. Achievement of this target requires the development of two key enabling technologies: Electrochemical ammonia synthesis (this will be developed by adopting a multi-stage membrane reactor which, starting from air, water and renewable sources, will produce ammonia at temperature below 100 °C); Direct ammonia fuel cell – DAFC (For DAFC the best catalyst choice is platinum group metals).

Investigating freestanding energy-to-hydrogen fuel generation by solar energy absorption

Beyond-Nano is engaged in carrying out research activity in the FreeHydroCells project funded by Horizon Europe. The inspiration for the novel concept driving the project comes from the combined need to absorb as much solar energy as possible in a material system while at the same time making sure the clean solar energy can be used productively by humans with minimal loss, in this case to make hydrogen fuel.