HERON · Hybrid-responsive mEm-devices for neuROinspired computiNg

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising science and technology, but today’s computers are hitting fundamental energy and performance walls. HERON (Hybrid-responsive mEm-devices for neuROinspired computiNg) will break this barrier by creating ferroelectric multi-memory devices that combine memristive and memcapacitive functions, operated with hybrid voltage–light control. Scalable, CMOS-compatible oxides such as wide bandgap hafnia and zirconia will be engineered to deliver sub-10 ns switching, <100 fJ energy use, and >10⁸ endurance cycles.HERON will go beyond single devices to demonstrate proof-of-concept neuromorphic circuits, integrating oscillators and acoustic–ferroelectric couplings into arrays. These architectures will showcase optically addressable acousto-synapses and memcapacitive–oscillator circuits, opening new pathways towards real-time adaptability, ultra-low power operation, and brain-inspired computing.The consortium unites top European academic institutions (RUG, CNRS, POLIMI), industry (IMChip), and a third-country partner (CONICET, Argentina) in an interdisciplinary and intersectoral alliance spanning physics, nanotechnology, photonics, and ICT. Through staff exchanges and tailored training, HERON will equip researchers with cutting-edge technical expertise and essential transferable skills, building a new generation of talent in advanced nanoelectronics.By advancing proof-of-concept green hardware solutions for AI, HERON will contribute to the European Green Deal and the achievement of the SDGs (7, 9, 12, 13), while positioning Europe at the forefront of sustainable, high-performance computing research.