JARA-FIT: Pioneering New Concepts in Information Technology
Semiconductor-based information technology is now indispensable across nearly all areas of society. In recent years - and looking ahead - new and fascinating fields of application continue to emerge at a rapid pace.
What was once the stuff of science fiction has become part of everyday life: real-time translation tools, fully autonomous navigation systems in vehicles, intelligent internet-based software agents, and service robots that operate independently. Technologies that once seemed utopian are now commonplace, and the pace of innovation shows no signs of slowing.
JARA-FIT brings together the expertise of RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich to jointly develop forward-looking concepts and innovative material systems for the information technologies of the future. The focus is increasingly shifting toward high-potential research areas that promise major transformation for science, industry, and society, including neuromorphic computing and quantum computing.
Neuromorphic computing is inspired by the functional principles of the human brain. It offers promising advances in the creation of intelligent, adaptive systems and exceptionally energy-efficient forms of data processing.
Quantum computing, by contrast, harnesses the power of quantum mechanics to solve computational problems that are intractable for conventional computers. This opens entirely new possibilities for the simulation of complex systems, such as those in materials science, chemistry, or cryptography.
To unlock the potential of these emerging technologies, researchers are also exploring alternative approaches such as molecular electronics, spintronics, and hybrid bioelectronic systems. A key component of this work is the development and application of novel materials, including heterostructures based on two-dimensional (2D) materials, which possess unique electronic, optical, and topological properties.
A particular research focus is the integration of biological and neural systems with solid-state electronics, aiming to bridge the gap between natural information processing and technical implementation.
Due to the growing complexity of these research areas, close interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. This includes working across disciplinary boundaries and coordinating efforts among diverse research groups in Aachen and Jülich. Cutting-edge infrastructure such as the Ernst Ruska Centre for High-Resolution Electron Microscopy and Electron Spectroscopy and the cleanroom facilities at the Helmholtz Nano Facility further support this collaborative research environment.
Milestones and Achievements
JARA-FIT has already achieved several major successes, including the creation of research clusters such as NeuroSys and Neurotec, the establishment of the Institute for Quantum Information (IQI), and the successful acquisition of the ML4Q Cluster of Excellence.
Goals and Vision
The foundational research in information technology conducted at RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich is internationally recognized and leads the field in many areas. This world-class expertise forms the basis of JARA-FIT’s mission to explore the technologies that will define the future of information processing.
JARA-FIT aims to:
- Jointly develop forward-thinking research strategies
- Coordinate infrastructure expansion in the region
- Establish specialized training programs for the next generation of researchers
Partners for the Future of Information Technology
JARA-FIT brings together institutes from RWTH Aachen and Forschungszentrum Jülich across disciplines such as physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. In close collaboration with international technology companies, they are working on the core technologies that will shape tomorrow’s information society.
JARA-FIT Institutes
Energy-Efficient Information Technology (Green IT)
Future high-performance computing systems will demand radically new materials and architectures that can deliver significantly more computing power with drastically reduced energy consumption. Energy efficiency is becoming a central driver of technological innovation. The long-term vision of this institute is the development of a prototype “zero-power chip”, a chip that operates with virtually no energy consumption.
Quantum Information (QI)
Quantum computers are based on a revolutionary computational paradigm. Instead of classical bits, they use qubits, which exploit the unique properties of quantum mechanics. These systems offer immense potential but also pose significant challenges for science and engineering. The institute’s long-term vision is to build a functional quantum computer, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in computation.