EAGER: Accelerating Scalable Stochastic Neuro-Inspired Computing With Spintronics: Devices to Systems

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $238,794 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Remarkable advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have demonstrated near-human cognitive performance in various applications. However, state-of-the-art AI still exhibits a large (orders of magnitude) efficiency gap compared to human brains. Enabling efficient AI hardware/software systems will be the key to deploying AI in various domains, including transportation, healthcare, and defense. Taking cues from the biological brains, neuro-inspired computing recently emerges as a promising approach to addressing the computational efficiency challenges. However, neuro-inspired computing with the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) digital hardware lacks flexibility and efficiency due to mismatch at various levels from device to architecture. This project will leverage novel magneto-electronic (spintronic) technologies to create efficient and robust computational components that emulate neural stochastic functionality. The components will be integrated into in-memory computing architectures and co-designed with bio-inspired learning algorithms to achieve advanced cognitive capabilities. This project will significantly advance the science of developing next-generation AI hardware with emerging technologies. By implementing device-to-system co-design for stochastic in-memory computing, this project will create interdisciplinary knowledge of device integration, computing architecture design, and algorithm development. Such knowledge is crucial for addressing the challenges

Key facts

NSF award ID
2534279
Awardee
Iowa State University (IA)
SAM.gov UEI
DQDBM7FGJPC5
PI
Cheng Wang
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Neuromorphic Computing, EAGER, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
Estimated total
$238,794
Funds obligated
$238,794
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2027