Ignite What’s Next: Noblis Innovation Quest

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming business by enhancing human expertise through content generation, pattern recognition, anomaly detection and data analysis—especially in sectors such as healthcare, autonomous systems and robotics. AI submissions should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Multi-model and media analytics tools that automatically extract information from visual and audio media.
• Synthetic data generation and multi-sensor data fusion applications.
• Human/AI interaction improvements for better analytics systems and machine-assisted investigations.
• Tools to detect vulnerabilities and boost trustworthiness of AI systems.
• AI-generated content verification, ensuring media authenticity and related concepts.

Rapid bio-industrial manufacturing accelerates production of pharmaceuticals, fuels and biomaterials using living cells or biological processes. It leverages high-throughput technologies, computational modeling and advanced materials for sustainable practices, offering faster production, improved efficiency, reduced costs and risks compared with standard methods. Rapid bio-industrial submissions should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Advanced computational methods for synthetic biology and scaling production.
• New concepts in synthetic biology for food, fuel and energy.
• Securing biological supply chains with novel methods.
• Applying AI techniques to enhance genomic analysis and bio-production outcomes.

Neuromorphic computing mimics the brain’s structure, using sparsely active neurons for energy efficiency and speed. It excels in applications requiring low-power, real-time processing like robotics and data centers. The technology relies on spiking neural networks that simulate biological signals. Commercial platforms are only now emerging despite early conceptual breakthroughs. Neuromorphic computing submissions should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Sensor technology using neuromorphic principles, including event cameras and sound processing.
• AI models that efficiently process neuromorphic sensor data with sparse, co-located computing/memory.
• Neuromorphic platforms applications at the edge, with a focus on space and biosecurity.

Photonic computing and optical networking harness light (photons) for data storage, communications and processing, promising advances in speed, security and bandwidth over traditional electronic methods. Photonic computing submissions should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Photonic chip development for faster, more efficient computing than traditional central and graphics processing units
• Integrated circuits and field programmable gate array development with photonic interfaces for unmatched bandwidth and efficiency.
• Photonic integrated circuit development that enhances atomic clocks and sensors.
• Squeezed light measurement innovation techniques in compact forms.
• Quantum Key Distribution advancement for superior network security.
• Photon utilization in quantum computing.
• Quantum optical network establishment to connect quantum computing chips.
• Approaches for defending against optical network attacks.
• Quantum entanglement to enhance classical networks and sensing.

Quantum sensing leverages quantum properties for precise measurement of fields, forces or time, covering areas like atomic clocks, radio antennas and sensors (e.g., inertial sensors, gravimeters, magnetometers). Quantum sensing submissions should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Optical precision timing to enhance atomic clock precision while reducing size, weight, and power for operational use outside labs.
• Portable radio frequency receivers with improved sensitivity, bandwidth, and dynamic range beyond classical receivers.
• Scalable quantum control methods for qubits, sensors and circuits.
• Durable sensors that maintain performance despite vibrations and electromagnetic interference.
• Squeezed-light techniques implemented in compact forms like commercial photodetectors.
• Photonic integrated circuits for laser cooling, trapping, probing, enhancing atomic clocks and sensors.
• Entanglement techniques for developing accelerometers.
• Miniaturization of quantum components for improved performance.
• Position, Navigation and Timing solution exploration as alternatives to global positioning systems.
• Bio-magnetic sensing to detect faint signals from organs like the brain or heart.
• Subsurface mapping research to locate hidden underground structures.

Programmable matter are engineered materials capable of altering their physical properties, such as color, shape, conductivity or density. This transformation, guided by algorithms or environmental factors, presents new opportunities in industries like medicine, consumer goods and energy. Programmable matter submissions should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Shape-changing or self-assembling material development for healthcare and remote sensing.
• Algorithm and software research for controlling programmable matter and interaction platforms.
• Conductive material creation for adapting energy or communication transmission in varying environments.
• Programmable matter applications in space, robotics, simulations and transformable infrastructure.

The integration of AI, extended reality (XR), and simulation platforms is transforming how robots learn from humans, making training faster and more intuitive. This approach enhances robots’ ability to generalize tasks and operate independently. Teachable robot submissions should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Hyper-scale training models using various data modalities and methods, including XR and video simulations.
• Immersive XR solutions for training in complex environments.
• Intuitive programming systems to maximize machine adaptability in human scenarios.