• Aston University to lead the UK’s new centre to pioneer brain-inspired, energy-efficient computing technologies
• The initiative will receive £5.6 million over four years from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• The aim of the centre is to become a focal point for networking and collaboration on fundamental research and technology.

The UK will be getting a new centre to pioneer brain-inspired, energy-efficient computing technologies.

The UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing is led by Aston University and will receive £5.6 million over four years from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The aim of the centre is to become a focal point for networking and collaboration on fundamental research and technology of neuromorphic computing to address the sustainability challenges facing today’s digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence systems.

The centre will be led by the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT) and will include the world-leading researchers from Aston University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Southampton, Queen Mary University of London, Loughborough University and the University of Strathclyde.

Neuromorphic computing seeks to replicate the brain’s structural and functional principles, however scientists currently lack a deep, system-level understanding of how the human brain computes at cellular and network scales. The researchers aim to tackle that challenge directly, blending stem-cell-derived human neuron experiments with advanced computational models, low-power algorithms and novel photonic hardware.

The centre team includes world-leading researchers with broad and complementary expertise in neuroscience, non-conventional computing algorithms, photonics, opto- and nano-electronics and materials science. In collaboration with policymakers and industrial partners the scientists and engineers aim to demonstrate the capabilities of neuromorphic computing across a range of sectors and applications. The centre will be supported by a broad network of industry partners including Microsoft Research, Thales, BT, QinetiQ, Nokia Bell Labs, Hewlett Packard Labs, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman and a number of small to medium enterprises. Their contribution will focus on enhancing the centre’s impact on society.

Professor Rhein Parri, co-director and neurophysiologist at Aston University said: “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 experts aim to co-design brain-inspired neuromorphic systems by studying human neuronal function using the latest human induced pluripotent stem cell – or hiPSC technologies – and developing new computational paradigms and low-power AI algorithms. They also plan to create devices and hardware that are inspired by biological systems, like the human brain. These devices will use light – or photonic hardware – to process information. This approach will be the next big step in making computing more energy-efficient and capable of handling many tasks at the same time. They also aim to create a sustainable UK research ecosystem through training, road mapping, and international collaboration.

Professor Sergei K. Turitsyn, director of the centre and 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 who is based at the University of Cambridge said: “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.”

In addition, the researchers aim to tackle the increasing global energy footprint of information and communication technologies which is developing at an unsustainable pace, driven partly by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. Today’s AI systems are built on traditional computing hardware with increasingly high-power consumption (kW), posing a barrier to scalability and sustainability. In contrast, the human brain performs complex computation and communication tasks using just 20 watts.

Professor Dimitra Georgiadou, co-director of the centre who is based 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."

The centre’s ambition goes beyond technology development as it aims to serve as a foundation for a long-term, interdisciplinary research ecosystem – actively expanding its membership and reach over time. It aims to establish a sustainable centre that continues to be a focal point for the community and will thrive beyond the initial funding period, reinforcing innovation, partnership, and impact in the field of neuromorphic computing.