The UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing will receive £5.6 million over four years from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aiming to establish itself as an international hub for collaboration and fundamental research in this groundbreaking field.
With Aston University leading the Centre, the involvement of world-leading researchers from Queen Mary University of London, Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Southampton, Loughborough, and Strathclyde, demonstrates the breadth of expertise being brought to this ambitious project. The Centre's objective is to tackle the sustainability challenges facing today's digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence systems by replicating the brain's structural and functional principles in novel computing technologies.
A key aspect of the Centre's interdisciplinary approach will be to blend insights from experiments using stem-cell-derived human neurons with advanced computational models, low-power algorithms, and innovative photonic hardware. Researchers aim to gain a deeper, system-level understanding of how the human brain computes at cellular and network scales to inform the design of these next-generation computing systems.
Professor Yang Hao, Co-Director and System Integration Lead for the Centre, commented:
"At Queen Mary University of London, we are proud to drive the discovery of novel neuromorphic materials and the design of scalable photonic systems that emulate the brain's extraordinary efficiency. I am excited to help shape a truly interdisciplinary approach that unites human neuronal insights, next-generation materials, and photonic device architectures. By bridging breakthroughs in perovskite and phase-change materials with real-world neuromorphic applications, we aim not just to advance scientific frontiers, but to deliver transformative, low-power computing technologies that meet the demands of a sustainable, AI-driven future."
The Centre's team comprises experts with complementary skills in neuroscience, unconventional computing algorithms, photonics, opto- and nano-electronics, and materials science. By working closely with policymakers and industrial partners, including Microsoft Research, Thales, BT, QinetiQ, Nokia Bell Labs, Hewlett Packard Labs, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, and numerous small to medium enterprises, the scientists and engineers aim to demonstrate the potential of neuromorphic computing across various sectors. The contributions of these industry partners will be vital in ensuring the Centre's research has a significant impact on society.
Professor Rhein Parri, co-director and neurophysiologist at Aston University, stated: "For the first time, we can combine the study of living human neurons with that of advanced computing platforms to co-develop the future of computing. This project is an exciting leap forward, learning from biology and technology in ways that were not previously possible."
The researchers' goals include co-designing brain-inspired neuromorphic systems by investigating human neuronal function using the latest human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technologies and developing new computational paradigms and energy-efficient AI algorithms. They also intend to create bio-inspired devices and hardware that utilise light – or photonic hardware – for information processing. This approach is seen as a significant step towards making computing more energy-efficient and capable of parallel processing. Furthermore, the Centre aims to cultivate a sustainable UK research ecosystem through training initiatives, strategic road mapping, and international collaborations.
Professor Sergei K. Turitsyn, director of the Centre and the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT), said: "The project's ambition is not only to develop future technologies, but also to create a new internationally known UK research brand in neuromorphic computing that will unite the UK's best minds across disciplines and will lead to sustainable operation and a long-term impact. It's a proud moment for AIPT and Aston University to lead this national effort."
Professor Natalia Berloff, co-director of the centre based at the University of Cambridge, commented: "One of the most exciting aspects of neuromorphic computing is the potential of photonic hardware to deliver truly brain-like efficiency. Light-based processors can exploit massive parallelism and ultrafast signal propagation to outperform conventional electronics on demanding AI workloads, while consuming far less power. By combining these photonic architectures with insights from living human neurons, we aim to co-design neuromorphic systems that move beyond incremental improvements and toward a genuinely transformative computing paradigm."
The researchers are also focused on addressing the escalating global energy consumption of information and communication technologies, a trend driven in part by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Current AI systems rely on traditional computing hardware with increasingly high power demands, hindering scalability and sustainability. In contrast, the human brain performs complex computational and communication tasks using a mere 20 watts.
Professor Dimitra Georgiadou, co-director of the Centre at the University of Southampton, added: "To address the challenge of substantially lowering the power consumption in electronics, novel materials and device architectures are needed that can effectively emulate computation in the brain and cellular responses to certain stimuli."
Beyond technological advancements, the Centre aims to establish a lasting, interdisciplinary research community, actively expanding its membership and influence over time. The vision is to create a sustainable Centre that remains a central point for the community and flourishes beyond the initial funding period, fostering innovation, collaboration, and impact in the field of neuromorphic computing.
