The Nitride Technology Centre (NTC), a microelectronics consortium led by Technische Universität Braunschweig, is pioneering a new era in computing.
Supported by the state of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation with €15m in funding, the initiative – titled “Bringing Light to Microelectronics” (BRIGHT) – aims to create a neuromorphic computer using microscopically small LEDs.
The project begins on 1 April 2026 and will run for five years, through 2031.
Cutting AI energy consumption
Researchers from Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leibniz University Hannover, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) are working to tackle one of modern technology’s biggest challenges: the soaring energy demand of AI systems.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centres could consume 3% of global electricity by 2030 – roughly double Germany’s current total electricity use – primarily due to the massive computational effort required to simulate neural networks.
How neuromorphic computers work
Unlike traditional computers that simulate neural networks using sequences of 0s and 1s across multiple processing stages, neuromorphic computers implement these networks directly in hardware.
The NTC’s approach uses tiny LEDs to replicate the parallel connectivity of neurons in the human brain.
This allows AI computations to occur simultaneously rather than sequentially, drastically reducing energy consumption while increasing processing efficiency.
Hybrid technology: Light meets silicon
The BRIGHT project combines two previously separate technologies to maximise performance.
Conventional silicon-based integrated circuits (CMOS) are extremely versatile but cannot emit light, while chips made from materials like gallium nitride are bright and energy-efficient.
By merging these technologies in a hybrid system, NTC aims to create a neuromorphic computer that benefits from both the reliability of silicon and the energy efficiency of light-emitting components.
This hybrid approach also opens new possibilities across a wide range of microelectronics applications.
Angela Ittel, President of TU Braunschweig, commented: “With BRIGHT, our researchers are impressively demonstrating how scientific progress can take responsibility for the future.
“The combination of light, microelectronics and neuromorphic thinking opens up a path to powerful AI that consumes significantly less energy and is therefore more sustainable. I would like to thank the state of Lower Saxony and the VW Foundation for their trust.
“Particular mention must be made of the vision and courage of the dedicated team in Braunschweig and Hanover in developing such a forward-looking topic on the basis of excellent research and collaboration. Together, we are laying the foundations today for technologies that will shape our society tomorrow.”
Proven concept and future goals
The LENA research centre in Braunschweig has already demonstrated the feasibility of LED-based neuromorphic computing.
Over the next five years, the BRIGHT team plans to optimise the system, increase the number of connections, and refine key components for large-scale deployment.
The ultimate goal is to develop AI data centres that are not only faster but far more energy-efficient than today’s standards.
A bright future for sustainable AI
With global energy demands for AI rising at unprecedented rates, NTC’s work could offer a crucial solution.
By combining LEDs, hybrid chip integration, and neuromorphic architecture, the BRIGHT project represents a promising path toward sustainable, low-energy AI.
If successful, this innovation could redefine how artificial intelligence is powered and significantly reduce the environmental footprint of next-generation computing.
