In semiconductor-based quantum information devices, the main focus is recently put on manipulation of discrete quantum states confined in artificial atoms. However, such localized qubits require vast infrastructure, because one needs hardware for all billions of qubits. In this project, we manipulate delocalized qubits based on electron waves in semiconductor nanostructures. In order to achieve high fidelity and high quality factor, we develop new designs of electron wave interferometers combined with quasi-particle excitations that have macroscopic coherence length. Since quasi-particle qubits are created on-demand from the Fermi sea of the electron source, the number of qubits is also set on-demand. The hardware size can thus be significantly reduced. We also control interaction between localized and delocalized quantum systems to construct hybrid systems. The concepts and technologies developed for delocalized qubits will bring a paradigm shift in quantum architectures.

The AMIE project opens a vast new research agenda for mobile Augmented Reality (AR) by making it interactive: Instead of only focusing on superimposing graphics on the real world, we aim at making the real world interactive by defining contextual reusable widgets attached to real objects and places. We introduce the term AR widget as a central concept of the AMIE project. The goal is to define reusable software building blocks for interactive AR. We base our approach on widgets (by analogy with Graphical User Interface) as elementary objects that take part in AR interaction. Instead of superimposing graphics on the real world, we aim at augmenting the physical world with widgets. Such widgets will be linked to the real world and will be manipulated by the users. As for Graphical User Interface (GUI) (e.g., the contextual menu attached to a selected graphical object), we will define AR contextual widget attached to a physical object. Moreover some AR widgets will be specifically designed for synchronous or asynchronous collaborative aspects (e.g., a telepointer for a distant expert). To do so the project is multidisciplinary including two complementary academic teams, one team dedicated to Sensor-Data fusion techniques for Localization/Registration and one team to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). As a starting point towards the definition of a toolkit for mobile collaborative AR, we adopt an iterative user-centred design approach in order to design and develop usable interactive and collaborative techniques. To do so we consider maintenance/machine operators in production plants, a domain represented by two industrial partners, DIGITAL Electronics and SCHNEIDER. AMIE therefore focuses on mobile and collaborative AR systems for operators in a production plant in which augmentation occurs through available knowledge of where the operator is and what the other users (operators, experts) are doing. From the first set of interactive techniques designed, developed and experimentally tested in the context of maintenance services in production plants, we will generalize the techniques in order to define AR widgets (e.g., a menu, a panel, a telepointer) as part of reusable building blocks of a toolkit.

STARCELL proposes the substitution of CRM’s in thin film PV by the development and demonstration of a cost effective solution based on kesterite CZTS (Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4) materials. Kesterites are only formed by elements abundant in the earth crust with low toxicity offering a secure supply chain and minimizing recycling costs and risks, and are compatible with massive sustainable deployment of electricity production at TeraWatt levels. Optimisation of the kesterite bulk properties together with redesign and optimization of the device interfaces and the cell architecture will be developed for the achievement of a challenging increase in the device efficiency up to 18% at cell level and targeting 16% efficiency at mini-module level, in line with the efficiency targets established at the SET Plan for 2020. These efficiencies will allow initiating the transfer of kesterite based processes to pre-industrial stages. These innovations will give to STARCELL the opportunity to demonstrate CRM free thin film PV devices with manufacturing costs ≤ 0.30 €/Wp, making first detailed studies on the stability and durability of the kesterite devices under accelerated test analysis conditions and developing suitable recycling processes for efficient re-use of material waste. The project will join for the first time the 3 leading research teams that have achieved the highest efficiencies for kesterite in Europe (EMPA, IMRA and IREC) together with the group of the world record holder David Mitzi (Duke University) and NREL (a reference research centre in renewable energies worldwide) in USA, and AIST (the most renewed Japanese research centre in Energy and Environment) in Japan. These groups have during the last years specialised in different aspects of the solar cell optimisation and build the forefront of kesterite research. The synergies of their joined efforts will allow raising the efficiency of kesterite solar cells and mini-modules to values never attained for this technology.