2022 Archives - Annual Report SnT

Cryptography

Getting Luxembourg ready for quantum communication

Q-day – the day that quantum computers will be used to break the encryption standards currently in use – seems to loom closer and closer, and countries worldwide are gearing up, Luxembourg included. Several groups of researchers at SnT are currently working on a range of quantum communication infrastructure (QCI) projects to support the Grand Duchy in protecting governmental and business data, with e-government and secure data centre interconnectivity being just two of the primary fields of application for these technologies.

Crypto-assets

Changing the Banking Experience with Decentralised Finance

One day your virtual avatar in the metaverse could not just attend concerts and go shopping, but also meet with your banker. Endless digital forms have become synonymous with today’s more complex banking processes, with constant signatures for know your customer (KYC) regulations being only one example. But the metaverse offers the opportunity to transform the banking experience, by delivering an immersive experience that integrates financial solutions.

Cryptography

Stepping Towards a Post-Quantum World

Quantum technology opens up transformative possibilities in computing, communication, sensing and many others – some of which we are only now starting to realise. But, like all technologies, it has its dark side: quantum computing will undermine much of modern cryptography, and with this the security and reliability of the internet.

Navigating Traffic for the First Time

On a cloudy day in November, a Kia Soul pulled out of the Adenauer parking lot on Kirchberg and joined the flow of traffic, all by itself. This made it the first time a single-family autonomous car drove on a public road in Luxembourg with members of the public as passengers.

Artificial Intelligence

Enabling Reverse Engineering in Computer-Aided Design

The metaverse is taking shape as we speak, with companies and institutions building premises and launching initiatives in the new virtual world. And while 3D experiences have been permeating our lives for many years now, all conditions are in place for the metaverse to become the next iteration of the internet. From entertainment to shopping, virtual and augmented realities are becoming more and more commonplace – and they are set to grow exponentially in the next few years.

Cybersecurity

Supporting ICT Training and Innovation in West Africa

In 2020, ten doctoral positions on cybersecurity at SnT were allocated to computer science graduates from West African countries in the framework of the LuxWays programme. Launched by SnT, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and three universities in Senegal and Burkina Faso, LuxWays has acted as a train-the-trainer programme for the academic staff of tomorrow. Three years in, some of these doctoral researchers are designing academic curricula in their countries of origin.

The Beginning of a New Network Paradigm

The classic economics of supply and demand have stunted the roll-out of internet infrastructure around the world, leaving 2.9 billion people still unconnected today. Addressing this challenge has been the remit of public policy makers, corporations, and researchers for decades.

Robotics

Visual Intelligence for Robotic Arms in Space

As we continue in pushing the frontiers of technology on Earth, our future forays into space will depend on ambitious missions that will reach for the stars. Remarkable innovations taking shape today will enable us to assemble and service satellites in orbit, extract resources on the Moon, and build a resilient infrastructure beyond our planet. To achieve this, we’ll need space robots that are highly capable, scalable, and intelligent, so they can perform a variety of tasks in challenging environments.

Artificial Intelligence

Fighting Financial Fraud with Privacy-Compliant AI

Having your credit card stolen is a very frustrating experience, and sadly, one that many can relate to. In 2019 alone, fraudulent transactions involving credit cards issued in Europe accounted for €1.87 billion – a staggering amount, and one that is only expected to increase as online shopping grows. With its advanced capability to analyse large amounts of data and create forecasts, artificial intelligence (AI) could provide financial institutions with significant help in fighting fraud. However, using AI to detect financial crimes requires access to sensitive data, which raises concerns about data privacy and security. That’s where federated learning comes in.

Cognitive Radars

Empowering Cognitive Radars with Active Learning

Every day, radar provide us with critical information about moving objects, such as their position and trajectory. Traditionally radar has done this by continuously scanning an entire area, but emerging Cognitive Radars instead focus on certain regions using contextual knowledge.

Category: 2022