Project:
Davide Cipollini: PhD at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Topic:
Adaptive random non-linear mappings for neural computing in ferroelastic films
Supervisor:
Prof. dr. Lambert Schomaker
Non-academic supervisor:
Ir. Roeland Huijink (SmartTip B.V., The Netherlands)
Role Within MANIC:
Outreach Chair
Biography
Davide Cipollini studied Theoretical Physics at La Sapienza University of Rome where he obtained both Bachelor and Master degrees, the latter with a thesis on computational models for spiking neural networks. Currently he is a Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of Groningen, in The Netherlands, under the supervision of Prof. dr. Schomaker. His project aims to develop computational models to exploit properties of conduction patterns in oxide thin films and their potential in the neuromorphic paradigm. Aside from scientific research he published books for kids and audiobooks.
Adaptive random non-linear mappings for neural computing in ferroelastic films
This project will focus on the construction of computational models that allow exploiting the properties of oxide films with nanoscale conduction paths that resemble basic neural networks. Local variability of conduction patterns in oxide films offer functional potential. The ESR will describe the pattern capacity for a proposed basic input/output architecture (grid), yielding theoretical predictions of scalability. Machine learning will be used to determine the relation between the measured conductivity maps and the actual connectivity between given leads. The main part of the research will be performed at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of Groningen. Additionally, the ESR will spend the secondments at the University of Bielefeld, Germany to design a neural circuit (1 month) and at IBM Research – Zurich, Switzerland to acquire industrial experience and the right tools for the needed simulations (1 month).
The University of Groningen is the second oldest in the Netherlands. With its 6500 employees, it houses ~30000 students (incl. 3750 international students) and 1500 PhD students, 48% of whom are international. It belongs to the top 100 research universities in the world and is a member of the distinguished international Coimbra Group of European universities. The University of Groningen is in the top 3 of European research universities in the fields of Material Sciences and Chemistry.
The Bernoulli Institute focused on modeling, computation, and cognition with a focus on science and technology, keeping a balanced mix of fundamental and applied aspects. It plays a leading role in the cross-disciplinary research theme on Data Science and Systems Complexity (DSSC) of the Faculty. The research within MANIC belongs to the research initiative CogniGron (Groningen Cognitive Systems and Materials center), that joints the expertise from the Bernoulli Institute and that of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. A holistic approach that coordinates efforts in materials science, physics, mathematics, computer science and artificial intelligence to develop materials and systems that can learn, towards a future cognitive computer.
Publications:
Conduction and entropy analysis of a mixed memristor-resistor model for neuromorphic networks