Project Portfolio

An overview of our active and completed research projects across European, National, and Agency-level funding streams.

public

European Projects

enhanced_encryption
Active

Q-FENCE: Securing Tomorrow’s Digital Infrastructure with Quantum-Resistant Cryptography

PI:Piedad Brox Jiménez
Participants:SETU (Ireland), CSIC, Polito, Uni Luxembourg, UCC, etc.
Call:HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01
GA:101225708
IMSE Budget:517.500€
Total Budget:5.312.198,75€
Duration:1 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2028
Abstract:

Q-FENCE is a transformative initiative aimed at securing tomorrow’s digital infrastructure with quantum-resistant cryptography. It develops a robust hybrid framework integrating classical, quantum, and post-quantum cryptographic techniques...

Funded by: European Commission (Horizon Europe)
memory
Active

DECIDE: Democratizing European Chip Innovation and Design Ecosystem

PI:Macarena C. Martínez Rodríguez
Participants:IMEC (BE), CEA (FR), Fraunhofer (DE), IHP (DE), Silicon Austria Labs, CSIC, etc.
Call:DIGITAL-Chips-2024-CSA-CDP-1
GA:101218811
IMSE Budget:840.327€
Total Budget:24.980.603,06€
Duration:1 Jan 2025 – 31 Dec 2028
Abstract:

The DECIDE project aims to create a virtual design platform to democratize access to advanced semiconductor technologies across Europe, supporting the innovation and competitiveness of European startups, SMEs, and research institutions.

Funded by: European Commission (Chips JU)
shield_locked
Active

QUBIP: Quantum-oriented Update to Browsers and Infrastructures for the PQ Transition

PI:Piedad Brox Jiménez
Participants:LINKS Foundation, CSIC, Tampere Univ, Telefónica I+D, POLITO, etc.
Call:HORIZON-CL3-2022-CS-01-03
GA:251944
IMSE Budget:303.720€
Total Budget:4.999.648€
Duration:1 Sep 2023 – 31 Aug 2026
Abstract:

Conceived to contribute to the EU transition to PQC with the goal of simplifying and making replicable the process by means of recommended practices and counteract post-quantum threats as soon as possible.

Funded by: European Commission (Horizon Europe)
fingerprint
Completed

SQPRIM: Secure post-quantum cryptographic primitives

PI:Piedad Brox Jiménez
Participants:IMSE-CNM, CSIC
GA:253397
IMSE Budget:167.236,25 €
Duration:1 Jul 2023 – 31 Aug 2025
Abstract:

Inspired by nature, this project aims to develop the biometric equivalents of fingerprints and DNA for the digital world using light and sound. Optical and ultrasound PUFs will provide robust identifiers unconditionally safe in the post-quantum era.

Funded by: MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE – Horizon Europe
code_blocks
Completed

GoIT: Open-source hardware: a step towards Europe’s digital Independence

PI:Piedad Brox Jiménez
Participants:Elektronikas un Datorzinatnu Instituts (LV), ITEFI-CSIC, Sorbonne Université (FR), etc.
Call:HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01
GA:240413
IMSE Budget:167.236,25 €
Duration:1 Sep 2022 – 28 Feb 2025
Abstract:

Europe's digital infrastructure heavily relies on foreign closed-source chips. GoIT addresses this by promoting open-source silicon chips, catapulting Europe into a renaissance of digital technology and sovereignty.

Funded by: European Commission (Horizon Europe)
lock
Completed

SPIRS: Secure Platform for ICT Systems Rooted at the Silicon Manufacturing Process

PI:Piedad Brox Jiménez
Participants:IMSE-CNM-CSIC, ITEFI-CSIC, POLITO, Telefónica I+D, Links Foundation, etc.
Call:H2020-EU.2.1.1. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP
GA:952622
Total Budget:5.041.091,25€
Duration:1 Oct 2021 – 30 Sep 2024
Abstract:

The SPIRS project proposes an open hardware platform that integrates a dedicated Root of Trust and a processor core to establish foundational primitives like a Trusted Execution Environment and secure boot for inherently vulnerable IoT devices. While the architectural claims still need to be rigorously stress tested for area overhead and side channel leakage, the framework theoretically leverages these hardware anchors to support decentralized trust management and privacy preserving protocols across 5G and Industry 4.0 environments.

Funded by: European Commission (Horizon Europe)
location_on

National Projects

lightbulb
Active

CryptoPIC: Advanced security in Photonic Integrated Circuits

PI:David Martín Sánchez, Piedad Brox Jiménez
Participants:IMSE-CNM (CSIC/Univ. Sevilla) and IMB-CNM (CSIC)
IMSE Budget:114.850€
Duration:1 Nov 2025 – 30 Oct 2028
Abstract:

Addresses the quantum technology revolution's threat to digital security. The project aims to realize miniaturization of optical PUFs, developing robust cryptographic primitives implemented in photonic integrated circuits fabricated using standard CMOS.

Funded by: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Generación Conocimiento)
gpp_good
Completed

ARES: Diseño, implementación y validación de raíces de confianza hardware resistentes a ataques

PI:Piedad Brox Jiménez, Carlos J. Jiménez Fernández
Participants:IMSE-CNM (CSIC/Univ. Sevilla)
IMSE Budget:146.410€
Duration:1 Sep 2021 – 31 Oct 2025
Abstract:

Providing hardware solutions to improve the security of embedded systems, designing a Root-of-Trust (RoT) that includes physical unclonable functions (PUFs) and cryptographic primitives suitable for RISC-V and ARM IoT technologies.

Funded by: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Generación Conocimiento)
account_balance

Agency Projects

science
Active

TECHNOQUANTUM: Hardware-based Technologies to Secure Digital Systems in the Quantum World

PI:Piedad Brox Jiménez
Participants:IMSE-CNM, Univ. Tampere, CEA-LIST, Eindhoven Univ. of Technology, LINKS, POLITO
IMSE Budget:29.951€
Duration:2025 - 2026
Abstract:

Establishes a consortium to identify solutions and limitations in developing microelectronic and nanophotonic technologies for secure digital systems in the post-quantum world, leading to resilient digitized communities.

Funded by: CSIC (iLINK Program)