France 2030: CEA and CNRS Join Forces for Frugal and Sustainable Digital Technology
The CEA (Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research) have embarked on a groundbreaking national spintronics program in France. Launched on January 29, 2024, the SPIN (Spintronics for Frugal, Agile, and Sustainable Digital Technology) program aims to drive innovation in spintronics for energy-efficient and sustainable digital technology. With a budget of 38.13 million euros over eight years, the program is set to strengthen France’s position in the new technologies landscape and contribute to the sovereignty and competitiveness of Europe.
Digital technology has been rapidly expanding, but its growth comes at a significant environmental cost. It is estimated that by 2030, the digital world will consume approximately 20-30% of global electricity. To mitigate this impact, the SPIN program seeks to make energy frugality a key criterion for future electronic devices, alongside computing power, speed, miniaturization, and cost.
Spintronics, a revolutionary field that utilizes both electron spin and charge, provides a conceptual breakthrough to address the environmental challenges of digital technology. With its non-volatile nature and low energy consumption, spintronics offers enhanced functionalities compared to traditional electronics. Over the years, it has already transformed data storage and sensor technology. Today, spintronics opens up multiple pathways for developing energy-efficient and integrable components for various applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud storage, and communication networks of the future.
Recognizing the immense potential of spintronics, the French government’s France 2030 initiative has invested 38.13 million euros over eight years in the SPIN program and equipment (PEPR). This ambitious endeavor, led by the CEA and CNRS, will bring together academic and industrial partners, including the Universities of Grenoble-Alpes, Paris-Saclay, and Lorraine, to foster collaboration and energize the French spintronics community. The program will also collaborate closely with other strategic research programs such as Electronics, Quantum Technology, Future Networks, Emerging Materials, and Artificial Intelligence.
The SPIN PEPR will support flagship collaborative projects and invite proposals through specific open calls. It aims to attract and nurture young talent in spintronics and related technologies by funding Young Scientist projects and expanding training opportunities. Additionally, the program will foster European synergies, building connections with the Spintronic Factory network established by Spintec and the Albert Fert Laboratory in 2016, with the objective of consolidating the community and enhancing the industrial impact of spintronics within the European Union.
Five projects were already launched in November 2023, setting the stage for further advancements and breakthroughs. The SPIN PEPR will leverage a network of high-end research infrastructure accessible to the entire spintronics community, bolstering collaboration and innovation.
The results and developments of the SPIN PEPR align with the national and European strategies for digital components, systems, and infrastructure, as well as the drive for competitiveness and resilience in semiconductor technologies and applications under the European Chip Act program.
The CEA and CNRS are confident that by investing in spintronics, France will be at the forefront of frugal, agile, and sustainable digital technology. This pioneering initiative sets the stage for a greener and more efficient digital future, driven by innovation and collaboration. With an emphasis on energy frugality and European synergies, the SPIN program will contribute to shaping the digital landscape of tomorrow.
