NSF CAREER Awardee Is Building Brain-Inspired Computer Chips!

NewFoS is proud to celebrate Dr. Xiaodong Yan, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona and lead of the NewFoS seed project Implementing Neuromorphic Protocol Using Phi-bits Data, on receiving a prestigious NSF CAREER Award.

Dr. Yan’s groundbreaking research draws inspiration from the human brain—where information is processed and stored in the same place—to develop the next generation of ultra–energy-efficient AI devices. By using two-dimensional moiré quantum materials, his team is creating neuromorphic chips capable of performing AI tasks faster and with billions of times less energy than today’s technologies. These advances open doors for applications ranging from autonomous drones to wearable health monitors.

Supported by a $599,980 NSF CAREER Award, Dr. Yan is pioneering moiré synaptic transistors that merge memory, logic, and parallel processing in a single device. The project also expands opportunities for K–12 and undergraduate students to participate in hands-on research at the intersection of materials science and AI.

👏 Congratulations to Dr. Yan for pushing the boundaries of neuromorphic computing, quantum materials, and sustainable innovation!

More information, here.