Newly appointed Professor Erika Covi develops novel technologies for energy-efficient computer systems. To that end, she brings memory and computing processes closer together while combining approaches from different fields of research.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and other data-intensive applications require enormous computing power, which consumes a great deal of energy. One reason for this is the architecture of today's computers. Data is stored in memory, transferred to the processor for computation, and then written back to memory. "Bringing memory and computation closer together saves both energy and time," says Erika Covi, the new Professor of Nanoelectronic Circuits and Systems at TUM.
Covi works with emerging memory technologies. She is particularly fascinated by the fact that information can be stored in the atomic configuration of a material. When this configuration changes, the material's electrical properties change as well. This paves the way for more energy-efficient computer systems by offering new ways to combine memory and information processing.
More AI with less energy
This is particularly relevant for applications that need to process data where it is generated. Sensors, wearables, and autonomous systems are expected to perform increasingly complex tasks, yet they cannot always draw on the energy resources of a data center. These devices must be smart and consume as little power as possible.
However, novel memory technologies must become more reliable before they can be used widely in these and other practical applications. Therefore, Covi is investigating how to integrate these technologies into circuits and systems and how to use their distinctive properties for computing tasks.
This requires expertise from a wide range of disciplines. Covi aims to connect nanoelectronics and data science with sensor technology, IT security, algorithm development, and robotics. New devices alone are not enough. Algorithms must be suited to the hardware, data must be processed securely, and the entire system must ultimately prove itself in real-world applications.
At TUM, Erika Covi also aims to build a community that transcends disciplinary boundaries. "My dream is to bring together diverse people from different fields to work toward a shared vision," she says. The goal is to create computer systems that are more powerful and energy-efficient and that can ultimately improve people's lives.
- Erika Covi is a professor of Nanoelectronic Circuits and Systems at the TUM School of Computation, Information, and Technology . She earned her Ph.D. in microelectronics from the University of Pavia and subsequently conducted research at institutions including the Italian National Research Council, the Politecnico di Milano, NaMLab in Dresden, and the University of Groningen.
