SPARC Workshop (December 2025)

A Workshop on

"Neuromorphic Computing and Embedded Systems"

08 Dec - 13 Dec 2025

Distinguished Speakers:

Prof. Supriyo Bandyopadhyay (VCU, USA )

Prof. S. N. Piramanayagam (NTU Singapore)

Prof. Subrat Kar (IIT Delhi, India)

Mr. Surajit Bhattacherjee (Qualcomm, India)

Mr. Sudhir Bussa (Sr Lead at Innotronix Labs & Trading Pvt Ltd, India)

Mr. Nilesh Vasudev (Sr Lead Software Engineer, Embedded & IoT R & D at Innotronix, India )

Mode of delivery: Physical only (at IIT Roorkee campus. Venue: ECE auditorium)

Course Coordinator: Prof. Bishnu Prasad Das, and Prof. Sparsh Mittal

In Memory of (Late) Prof. B.K. Kaushik

Dr. Brajesh Kumar Kaushik was a distinguished researcher and an inspiring educator whose contributions to the fields of nanoelectronics, VLSI design, and optoelectronic systems have significantly advanced our technical knowledge. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation is evident in his extensive body of research, which has earned global recognition and enriched the academic community. As a professor at IIT Roorkee, he has nurtured many young minds, fostering a culture of excellence and curiosity. Dr. Kaushik will also be a guiding light for students and researchers. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology continues to inspire future generations, leaving an indelible mark on the world of electronics and communication engineering.

Overview

The workshop “Neuromorphic Computing and Embedded Systems” offers a comprehensive introduction to emerging hardware technologies that bridge spintronics, neuromorphic architectures, VLSI verification, and modern embedded/IoT systems. Participants will explore foundational magnetic and spintronic concepts, advanced device technologies such as MRAM, domain-wall memory, SpinFETs, stochastic neurons, and quantum-inspired logic, along with their applications in deep learning acceleration and optimization computing. The program also integrates detailed sessions on VLSI front-end verification practices and a strong hands-on component covering ESP32, Raspberry Pi, communication protocols, IoT connectivity, OTA updates, FreeRTOS, and real-world embedded design workflows. This workshop aims to equip attendees with both theoretical insights and practical skills essential for next-generation intelligent hardware and system development.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the course are as follows :

To introduce participants to cutting-edge neuromorphic and spintronic hardware concepts by covering fundamental magnetism, magnetoresistance effects, MRAM technologies, stochastic neurons, domain-wall devices, and spin-inspired quantum logic, enabling learners to understand emerging computational paradigms beyond CMOS.
To provide a deep understanding of spin-based and physics-inspired computing models such as Boltzmann machines, ground-state computing, and spintronic matrix multipliers, demonstrating their relevance in accelerating deep learning tasks and solving complex optimization problems.
To strengthen participants’ knowledge of VLSI design and verification practices through exposure to industry-standard SystemVerilog Assertions (SVAs) and real-case methodologies, thereby enhancing their ability to design reliable and efficient digital systems.
To build strong practical skills in embedded systems and IoT development by offering hands-on training with ESP32 and Raspberry Pi platforms, sensor interfacing, communication protocols, OTA firmware updates, FreeRTOS multitasking, and real-world application workflows.
To connect theoretical learning with practical engineering applications by presenting real project case studies, end-to-end product development pipelines, and applications of PUF-based hardware security, empowering participants to design, develop, and deploy intelligent and secure hardware systems

Focus Areas

Spintronic fundamentals, including basic magnetism and device physics.
Magnetoresistance effects (AMR, GMR, TMR) and spin-based memory technologies like MRAM and domain-wall memory.
Spintronic hardware accelerators for AI, including matrix multipliers and ground-state/Boltzmann computing.
Neuromorphic elements such as binary stochastic neurons using low-barrier nanomagnets.
Advanced spin-based devices and logic concepts, including SpinFETs, spin-inspired quantum logic, and magnetic-device PUFs.
Full Hands-On Embedded Systems Experience (ESP32 Focused)
Communication Protocols Explained (UART, I2C, SPI, CAN, RS485, etc.)
4+ Hours of Practical Labs
Build Real IoT Projects From Scratch
FreeRTOS Mini-Projects
Product Life Cycle Session: From Idea to Working Product

Target Audience

This course will be useful for all (BTech/MSc/MTech/PhD) students, teachers, and engineers working in the fields of physics, electronics and electrical engineering, nanotechnology, and computer science particularly those interested in computing in memory, its hardware, spintronics, and its applications in neuromorphic computing, as well as those interested in addressing micro-architectural vulnerabilities.
This course will also be useful for executives, engineers, or researchers from manufacturing, service, and government organization including R&D laboratories interested in device physics and circuits.
Industry experts working on memory technologies, secure hardware design, or emerging computing paradigms will also benefit from the workshop.

Distinguished Speakers

Prof. Supriyo Bandyopadhyay

Virginia Commonwealth University (USA)

Official Webpage: Click Here

Prof. S.N. Piramanayagam

Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)

Official Webpage: Click Here

Prof. Subrat Kar

IIT Delhi (India)

Official Webpage: Click Here

Surajit Bhattacherjee

Senior Lead Engineer, Qualcomm

Official Webpage: Click Here

Sudhir Bussa

Sr. Lead at Innotronix Labs & Trading Pvt Ltd, India

Official Webpage: Click Here

Nilesh Vasudev

Sr. Lead Software Engineer, Embedded & IoT R & D at Innotronix, India

Official Webpage: Click Here

Workshop Organizers

Prof. Bishnu Prasad Das

ECE Department Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (India)

Official Webpage: Click Here

Prof. Sparsh Mittal

ECE Department Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (India)

Official Webpage: Click Here

About SPARC

The Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), an initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between top ranked Indian Institutions and globally ranked Foreign Institutions, through Joint Research Projects involving mobility of students and faculty. The SPARC Scheme is expected to have a major impact in providing the best international expertise to address major national problems, expose Indian academicians to the best collaborators abroad, enable international faculty to stay in India for a longer duration, provide Indian students an opportunity to work in the world class laboratories, to develop strong bilateral relationships in research, and improve the international ranking of Indian Institutions.

About the Institute

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has an illustrious history and a glorious past. It has its foundation as the Thomson College, which was founded in 1847, to train technical manpower for construction of Ganga canal. It was the first Engineering College in the then British Empire. In The year 1949, this great institution was accorded the status of the first technological university of independent India and was renamed as University of Roorkee. On September 21, 2001, the Government of India declared it as the Nation’s seventh Indian Institute of Technology.