POLARIS is built on four program pillars
Creating robust production chains for low-volume, high-complexity domains—such as radar, MRI scanners, and telecommunications—demands radical integration. These systems are not just technically intricate; their complexity extends beyond the number of components. Breaking them into isolated parts risks losing their core functionality, as their strength lies in the seamless interaction of diverse elements.
At POLARIS, we embrace this challenge head-on. Our approach drives deep and broad innovation, ensuring that high-tech industries remain competitive and future-proof. Because in the world of advanced technology, “a chip alone is not enough!”
This vision is embedded in the four pillars of our program:
• Research – Generates cutting-edge knowledge that fuels technological breakthroughs.
• Valorisation – Translates research into real-world applications, accelerating industry impact.
• Ecosystem Development – Strengthens collaboration between industry, academia, and startups, creating a fertile ground for innovation.
• Human Capital – Cultivates the next generation of talent, equipping them with the expertise to drive future advancements.
These pillars do not stand alone—they reinforce one another:
By integrating these elements, POLARIS builds a resilient and dynamic high-tech ecosystem, ready to lead the future of RF technology.
The Research Program
The Research program line is organized on the basis of four research Innovation themes: Materials research, Microelectronics, Packaging & Assembly and RF Systems. These themes cover the entire technology chain from the smallest level to complete systems, on a scale from nanometer to meter. In order to ultimately realize a leap forward, innovation will have to take place in all these areas. The connection between end users and researchers has already been established by the collective in the consortium and will be exploited during the execution of the research, making the initial course of the research relevant for applications.
Material Technology
Harnessing atomic-scale layers involves engineering 2D materials (e.g., graphene) and nanostructures for novel electronic, optical, and quantum properties. These ultra-thin layers enable breakthroughs in semiconductors, sensors, and energy devices, offering precise control over functionality at atomic levels, essential for advanced technologies like quantum computing and next-generation communication systems.
Microelectronics
Creating circuits with advanced materials involves integrating 2D materials (like graphene or MoS₂) and flexible substrates to enhance performance, reduce power consumption, and enable miniaturization. These materials enable new functionalities in flexible electronics, high-speed devices, and energy-efficient systems, driving innovations in IoT, wearable tech, and next-generation semiconductors
Assembly
Developing integration methods for RF technology and mixed-signal systems involves combining RF, analog, and digital components into cohesive modules using advanced materials and 3D packaging. Techniques like heterogeneous integration and chiplet architectures enable compact, high-performance systems for radar, telecommunication, and IoT, ensuring efficient signal processing, reduced interference, and seamless functionality
System Integration
Combining modules into scalable, cost-effective arrays involves integrating RF, analog, and digital units into phased arrays or modular architectures. This enables advanced beamforming, adaptive signal processing, and system flexibility. Ideal for radar, MRI, and communication systems, it delivers revolutionary functionality through enhanced performance, scalability, and reduced production costs.
Collaborative Innovation for Market Readiness
Translating cutting-edge technology into real-world applications requires strategic alignment with industry needs, scalability, and cost efficiency. Key enablers include strong partnerships, rapid prototyping, and clear value propositions. For RF and mixed-signal systems, addressing challenges such as reliability, interoperability, and regulatory compliance is essential for adoption in industries like telecommunications, defence, and medical imaging.
Pushing the Limits of Radar, MRI and Telecom
Each POLARIS consortium partner brings its own expertise and ambitions, whether through new product development or enhancing existing solutions. Through close collaboration, Polaris ensures a seamless transition from research to real-world applications. A crucial step in valorisation is the development of specialized solutions for radar and MRI applications, using core technologies from the research program. In later phases, these innovations will be expanded to additional application areas already served by POLARIS participants.
Partners in the radar domain are developing a functional radar demonstrator, leveraging technologies from the research program. This demonstrator focuses on the radar front-end, covering everything from the antenna to digital output. Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises play a vital role in the supply chain, ensuring research-driven innovations translate into practical, deployable systems.
The MRI team is developing a functional MRI demonstrator, integrating breakthrough RF technologies from the research program. The demonstrator encompasses: Digital input, RF power output, Transmission and reception coil elements, Low-noise signal amplification, Digital output.
For telecommunication applications, new materials and methodologies are benchmarked against state-of-the-art technologies through theoretical studies and, where relevant, in prototype evaluations.
Advanced Cooling Solutions
High-integration RF technology poses a fundamental challenge: heat dissipation. POLARIS is developing next-generation cooling solutions for high-power electronics, ensuring efficient thermal management. Our demonstrator focuses on the entire micro-cooling system, covering from flow measurement to heat exchange with power electronics. This development will deliver robust and scalable cooling solutions for future high-power semiconductor technologies.
Bridging Research and Industry
In time the POLARIS Development Hub will become the dedicated valorisation organization, ensuring research breakthroughs evolve into market-ready solutions. Polaris Development Hub is bridging research and industry and will transit into a permanent entity. As the foundation for long-term innovation within the Dutch high-tech ecosystem, reinforcing strategic autonomy in high-value component manufacturing.
Human Capital
Empowering the Next Generation of RF Innovators
Mastering the broad diversity of technological disciplines and achieving multi-level system integration requires more than just cutting-edge technology. It demands a new approach to education—one that combines multidisciplinary expertise with multi-level thinking to develop the next generation of technical leaders.
To achieve this, POLARIS’ Human Capital pillar focuses on Multidisciplinary & Multi-Level Design (MDML) Education and Life-Long Learning initiatives.
Through these initiatives, Polaris is building a strong human capital foundation, ensuring that the RF technology workforce of tomorrow is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability needed to drive technological breakthroughs.
Developing New Educational Methods
POLARIS is researching and implementing innovative educational approaches tailored to the challenges of multidisciplinary and multi-level design. From an expanding database of teaching methodologies, domain-specific training programs are being developed to equip professionals with the specialized knowledge needed in RF technology.
Bridging Industry and Academia
The program integrates industrial and academic education, bringing together experienced developers and young researchers in a collaborative setting. This approach ensures that expertise is effectively transferred between generations and disciplines, fostering continuous innovation.
Key Activities are Launching and implementing new course structures, Developing alternative teaching methods tailored to high-tech innovation and Establishing a Life-Long Learning framework, emphasizing interactive formats such as: Workshops, Industry challenges and Hands-on training sessions
Such complex systems demand innovation both in depth and breadth. Addressing the multi-level integration challenges requires innovation in education as well. A curriculum must incorporate both multidisciplinary and multi-level understanding and thinking as essential components. Mastering the multi-level challenges requires innovation not just in technology but also in education—preparing future leaders with the skills to think across disciplines and levels
Expanding the RF Ecosystem
POLARIS is actively bringing together existing RF ecosystems and expanding them with new national and international partners. This process unfolds in two key phases: Phase 1: Bundling Existing Ecosystems and Phase 2: Expanding the Ecosystem
Knowledge Sharing & Dissemination
Knowledge dissemination is essential to maximizing the impact of POLARIS. The program is committed to sharing knowledge through multiple channels: Scientific Publications & Conferences, Public Communication & Outreach and Education & Talent Development.
We invest in those technologies where ‘the difference will be made’ (material systems, analogue and mixed-signal micro-electronics design, packaging & integration), and try to force breakthroughs and control points in the industrial value chains. POLARIS is also efficient in its design and implementation: a lean-and-mean consortium to achieve the most impactful result possible. The investments radiate to three major market segments in which the Dutch industry belongs to the global Top 3.
Ecosystem Development
Strengthening and Expanding the RF Technology Ecosystem
A key objective of the Polaris program is to sustain, strengthen, and expand the RF technology ecosystem. The foundation for a successful ecosystem is already present within the POLARIS Consortium partners. To further develop and accelerate innovation, Polaris deploys a series of strategic activities in three key areas:
- Financial Development Instrument
- Ecosystem Expansion & Collaboration
- Knowledge Sharing & Dissemination
Through these initiatives, Polaris is creating a thriving and sustainable ecosystem where technology, knowledge, and market impact come together. By fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and startups, we ensure that the Netherlands remains at the forefront of RF innovation and strategic autonomy.
Financial Development Instrument
For breakthrough technologies to make real impact, they must successfully transition from research to market. To prevent promising innovations from getting stuck in the ‘valley of death’, POLARIS is launching a dedicated financial development instrument. This fund supports SMEs, startups, and scale-ups in bringing their technologies to market.
The instrument will be managed by the Regional Development Agencies (ROMs) and will align as much as possible with existing funding structures. This ensures efficient operations and leverages the reinforcing effect of existing grants and financial streams. The detailed conditions of the fund will be defined as the POLARIS program progresses. The actual launch and execution will depend on the pace of technology development within the program.
