NERD project on neuromorphic computing granted by NWO
Federico Corradi and Francesco Fioranelli received a 750K funding for their research on neuromorphic radar-based perception.
NERD stands for Neuromorphic pErception fRamework for event-baseD radars and is all about neuromorphic radar-based perception. Emerging applications of mm-wave radar sensing, such as intelligent robotics and the internet-of-things, require more and more computing power in tiny low-energy chips processing increasingly more data. Using traditional performance scaling methods and smaller transistors, as always done by the microelectronic industry, we can still improve, but we need more. In the long term, we need to research disruptive solutions together with new models of computations. In this project, Federico Corradi (TU/e) and Francesco Fioranelli (TUD) propose to imitate from nature the extraordinary properties at the basis of active perception, echolocation, and sound-source-localization in animals, to realize innovative neuromorphic radar technologies edge applications.
'NERD' is one of nineteen innovative research projects awarded through Open Competition Domain Science-M program by the NWO Domain Board Science The topics vary from the consequences of hybridization within sea turtles, mapping wind, clouds and wind stress over the sea, understanding the complexities of the human brain through a cinematic approach, to molecular band aids to stop the bleeding, identifying unknown proteins in cryo-electron microscopy densities using AI, and developing a new technology for a digital calorimeter. M-grants are intended for innovative, high-quality, fundamental research and/or studies involving matters of scientific urgency.
About the NWO Open Competition Domain Science-M
M-grants are intended for realising curiosity-driven, fundamental research of high quality and/or scientific urgency. The M-grant offers researchers the possibility to elaborate creative and risky ideas and to realise scientific innovations that can form the basis for the research themes of the future. There are three categories of M-grants: M-1 (one scientific position), M-2 (two scientific positions in collaboration) and M-invest (investments) that are assessed in competition with each other.
In this M-round (package 22-5), a total of 72 grant applications were evaluated, of which 54 M-1 proposals, 17 M-2 proposals and 1 M-invest proposal. The NWO Domain Science Board decided to award four M-2 proposals and fifteen M-1 proposals.
The grants are part of the Gravitation Program, through which the Cabinet has been investing in science for ten years. Every two years, groups of scientists working for Dutch universities can qualify for an investment. Research projects now receive half of the money, and upon successful evaluation after five years, the second half. So that makes ten years of research possible for them. This long-term funding acts as a magnet for top scientific talent.
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