The need for fully integrated cryogenic instruments 1) measuring physical quantities with ultimate sensitivity, up to the quantum limit; 2) processing the data at high clock speed up to several tens of GHz and; 3) delivering pre-processed data at high throughputs of several Gbits/second per channel to off-the-shelf equipment is felt in several domains: for the quest of knowledge associated to big science, like astrophysics or particle physics, for the development of quantum cryptographic front-ends to secure data and interfacing quantum bit systems, for processing digital signals on microwave frequency carriers, for imaging the brain or heart for medicine, as just a few examples. Often each task is achieved separately in a customized way for niche applications. This is an obstacle to the dissemination of instruments that are necessary, for example, for future imagers with very high performances. Besides, dedicated solutions do not enable incremental progress towards systems that can be easily re-used for other applications. Here we propose a novel interdisciplinary path with breakthrough technological solutions based on superconducting devices to provide end-users from different domains with an enabling cryogenic digital platform. This solution embeds nanoscale energy efficient superconducting digital processing circuits and sensors with superconducting high throughput amplifiers. To our knowledge this has never been done so far. To validate the proof-of-concept and enable faster future transfer of technology four companies are involved in the development and integration of technological modules and to prepare future exploitation. At the basic science level, this approach may allow developing at a larger scale nanoscale superconducting devices for further high-density integration of complex imagers and digital processing systems for future metrological, telecommunication, supercomputing and quantum computer applications. To achieve these objectives we decided, with a consortium based on 14 partners to apply to the FET-OPEN call. Our project submitted in January 2017 passed all thresholds but did not get funding given its global mark in a very competitve call with success rate of about 7%. We have an encouraging Evaluation Summary Report and we can improve our proposal to submit it again for the upcoming FET-OPEN call of May 2018. To achieve that objective we need to meet and discuss in more details our scientific and technological plans, the organisation of the work to upgrade our proposal and its FET-OPEN application document. We also need external advice regarding the planned activities and the polishing of the document of the H2020 application with some company specialized in that activity. Consequently the MRSEI call of the ANR is the adequate call to upgrade our proposal and reinforce the planned activities in the European framework.

The INSIGHT project aims at developing a Monitoring, Diagnostic and Lifetime Tool (MDLT) for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) stacks and the hardware necessary for its implementation into a real SOFC system. The effectiveness of the MDLT will be demonstrated through on-field tests on a real micro-Combined Heat and Power system (2.5 kW), thus moving these tools from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to beyond 5. INSIGHT leverages the experience of previous projects and consolidates their outcomes both at methodological and application levels. The consortium will specifically exploit monitoring approaches based on two advanced complementary techniques: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in addition to conventional dynamic stack signals. Durability tests with faults added on purpose and accelerated tests will generate the data required to develop and validate the MDL algorithms. Based on the outcome of experimental analysis and mathematical approaches, fault mitigation logics will be developed to avoid stack failures and slow down their degradation. A specific low-cost hardware, consisting in a single board able to embed the MDLT will be developed and integrated into a commercial SOFC system, the EnGenTM 2500, which will be tested on-field. INSIGHT will then open the perspective to decrease the costs of service and SOFC stack replacement by 50%, which would correspond to a reduction of the Total Cost of Ownership by 10% / kWh. To reach these objectives, INSIGHT is a cross multidisciplinary consortium gathering 11 organisations from 6 member states (France, Italy, Denmark, Slovenia, Austria, Finland) and one associated country (Switzerland). The partnership covers all competences necessary: experimental testing (CEA, DTU, EPFL), algorithms developments (UNISA, IJS, AVL), hardware development (BIT), system integration and validation (VTT, SP, HTC), supported by AK for the project management and dissemination.