23/03/2026
The project MICROTECH_for_GREEN, financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU thanks to the Italian Ministry of the Enterprises and of the Made in Italy (MIMIT), part of the initiative IPCEI on Microelectonics and Connectivity, running from June 2024 to May 2029, aims at developing new microelectronics-based technologies in four key areas:
1. Power and Sensor devices
2. Application to Renewables and Agrivoltaics
3. Neuromorphic computing
4. Technologies for Quantum Sensors
The first two areas are focused on a number of enabling microelectronic technologies for new components (discrete power transistors, power Ics, sensors). The test ground of such new technologies will be advanced bifacial photovoltaics and agrivoltaics. The use of PV module level electronics and / or of novel power transistors will also be explored. The most promising technologies will be tested under operative conditions in an outdoor test field, to reach a TRL 6-7.
The areas of development are the following:
• Materials and technologies for novel SiC, GaN, and IGBT power transistors
• Application of such new power FETs to Power optimizers / microinverters for bifacial photovoltaics
• Application of such new power FETs to Solar inverters
• Sensors networks for precision agriculture to monitor the agrivoltaic field
• New low-cost recyclable materials for sensors for precision agriculture and agrivoltaics
• Sensors for drones for the monitoring of agrivoltaic fields
• New technologies for water purification
To prepare the next generation of microelectronic devices, more exploratory research is important. For this reason we also pursue other activities, one on neuromorphic computing based on memristive devices, and the other on a quantum sensor for magnetometry realized by using color centers in SiC.
The project is mostly carried out by the laboratory on “Materials and processes Beyond the Nano-scale" (Beyond-Nano), located in east Sicily, in the area of Catania. The Beyond Nano Lab studies materials, processes, and new technologies for high-performance microelectronics, with particular emphasis on power and high frequency electronics, and on advanced photovoltaics. The work is also performed in various sections of Cnr-Imm, located in Milan (Agrate), Rome, Lecce, and the two Sections in Catania (the Headquarters and at the Univ. of Catania).
Per informazioni:
Salvatore Antonino Lombardo
CNR - Istituto per la microelettronica e microsistemi
Zona Industriale, Ottava Strada, 5, 95121 Catania, ITALY
salvatore.lombardo@cnr.it
+39/095/5968223