The SOLIS project represents a pioneering effort to bridge the gap between photovoltaic research and neuromorphic computing. By leveraging decades of expertise in thin-film solar cell technology, SOLIS aims to create a new generation of artificial visual synapses that can process and learn from optical information at the hardware level, dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to traditional von Neumann computing architectures.
Modern computing faces critical limitations: the von Neumann architecture creates data bottlenecks between processing and memory units, consuming enormous amounts of energy. Meanwhile, the rise of edge computing and AI applications demands systems that can handle real-time, unstructured data efficiently. Biological brains excel at these tasks, operating with remarkable energy efficiency, consuming only about 20 watts while processing vast amounts of sensory information.
SOLIS aims to establish and consolidate an International and Intersectoral Cooperation Project for the sustainable development of advanced visual artificial synapses. This collaboration involves 4 European/Associated Countries institutions and 4 Third Country academic institutions, fostering rigorous academic collaboration, transparent data sharing, and extensive staff exchange programs.
