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Optical Neural Networks start to learn...
Work is actively in progress at FEMTO-ST in order to design the photonic architectures dedicated to our future processors that will be computing through artificial intelligence concepts. This is currently done in the framework of the NeuroQNet Project which led recently to an important result in photonic brain-inspired computing: an experimental training methodology based on reinforcement learning was successfully demonstrated.The setup has involved an optical Read-Out of a photonic neural network, in the form of a matrix of micro-mirrors. It succeeded in training iteratively, and efficiently, the Read-Out for the prediction of a chaotic behavior, which was computed from a photonic network processor of 900 «light-neurons». Extrapolating this approach to more practical and highly complex problems, this could lead to ultra-fast and highly efficient weather forecast, without any numerical simulation of complicated equations modeling the atmosphere. This would simply need to learn the weather motions from the observation of past weather dynamics.
Similar groundbreaking brain-inspired processing concepts are also explored at FEMTO-ST in the framework of a very practical and concrete application: the diagnostic and prognostic of fuel-cell systems, in order to increase the lifetime of this clean electrical energy generator for the future (BiPhoProc project from the ANR call OH-RISQUE; a project jointly explored by the Energy Dept. at FEMTO-ST, as well as by the Mathematics laboratory of Besançon)
Research in this field at FEMTO-ST stands at the international forefront, as illustrated by a prestige conference to be held in Hanover, Germany, on 18-20 December 2018. The conference inviting some the best researchers worldwide (Standford, Berkeley, EPFL,...) on basic concepts for cognitive computing « Cognitive Computing: Merging Concepts with Hardware ») is co-organized by FEMTO-ST (Dr Daniel Brunner)
The publication on learning with photonic networks, published in Optica, was moreover chosen for the issue cover by the editorial board, because of its high potential impact
Contact : Daniel Brunner, OPTO Group, Optics Dept
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Robotic assembly of the smallest house in the world
the handling and assembly capabilities of nanocomponents of the "μRobotex" platform make the buzz on the net and in the international press through the origami manufacturing of a micro-house at the end of an optical fiber whose dimensions are less than the diameter of a hair.
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International Day of Light 2018
Following the success of the International Year of Light, which highlighted the importance of light-based science and technology and generated more than 13,000 activities in 147 countries, UNESCO proclaimed May 16 as the International Day of Light.
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Enrico Rubiola honored at IFCS 2018
Enrico Rubiola will receive the W. G. Cady Award at the IFCS 2018 on May 24th.
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L'institut FEMTO-ST partenaire d'un programme européen Marie-Curie H2020 Innovative Training Networ
The department of Optics of the FEMTO-ST research institute in Besançon
in France currently has a vacancy for 2 3-years Ph.D positions working in
the development of mid-infrared and ultraviolet supercontinuum fiber sources within the
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FACS 2016 - The 13th International Conference on Formal Aspects of Component Software
The DISC department, organizer of the 13th International Conference on FACS.
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Special issue of Comptes Rendus Physique on phononic crystals
The May 2016 issue of Comptes Rendus Physique (an international peer-reviewed journal of the French Academy of Sciences), is devoted to phononic crystals. This special issue was coordinated by Vincent Laude.
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Paper prize at the international conference VPPC 2014
At the International IEEE "Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference" conference held in Coimbra, Portugal from 27 to 30 October 2014, “Hybrid & Fuel Cell Systems” Research Team of Femto-ST Institute won the Paper Prize for the paper titled “Energy management of an hybrid electrical vehicule in degraded operation”
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A book about flexible robotics co-written by Nicolas Chaillet
The objective of the book "Flexible Robotics: Applications to Multiscale Manipulations" is to provide those interested in the field of flexible robotics with an overview of several scientific and technological advances in the practical field of robotic manipulation.
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