GESELLSCHAFT FUR ANGEWANDTE MIKRO UND OPTOELEKTRONIK MIT BESCHRANKTERHAFTUNG AMO GMBH

Their core work

AMO GmbH is an Aachen-based applied research SME specializing in nanofabrication, graphene and 2D material device integration, and plasmonic/photonic component development. They bridge the gap between laboratory nanoscience and industrial-scale chip-level integration, providing fabrication expertise for photonic integrated circuits, plasmonic modulators, graphene photodetectors, and nanostructured surfaces. Their cleanroom capabilities support partners across the photonics and semiconductor value chain, from proof-of-concept device fabrication to pilot-line scale-up. As a core partner in the EU Graphene Flagship across all three phases, they are one of Europe's go-to facilities for integrating 2D materials into functional electronic and photonic devices.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), AMO focused heavily on photonic integrated circuits, CMOS-compatible plasmonics, ultrafast laser processing, and foundational graphene materials research within the Flagship. From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward application-oriented domains: neuromorphic computing architectures using plasmonic components, on-chip wireless communications with graphene antennas, environmental gas sensing, and energy harvesting through optical antennas. This evolution shows a clear trajectory from materials and fabrication expertise toward system-level integration and real-world device applications.

AMO is moving from pure nanofabrication toward system-level integration of 2D materials into computing, sensing, and energy harvesting devices — expect them to pursue AI-at-the-edge and autonomous sensor applications next.

How they like to work

AMO operates almost exclusively as a specialist partner (29 of 32 projects), contributing nanofabrication and device integration expertise to large research consortia. With 361 unique partners across 26 countries, they function as a highly connected hub — their wide partner network and repeat presence in flagship programs make them easy to integrate into new consortia. Their three coordinator roles (ECOMAT, GRAPH-IC, POSEIDON) were smaller proof-of-concept projects, suggesting they lead focused technical demonstrations rather than large multi-partner efforts.

AMO has collaborated with 361 unique partners across 26 countries, making them one of the most densely networked nanotechnology SMEs in Europe. Their participation in the Graphene Flagship alone connects them to the top graphene and 2D materials labs continent-wide.

What sets them apart

AMO occupies a rare niche as an SME with cleanroom-grade nanofabrication capabilities that rivals university labs but operates with the agility and IP flexibility of a private company. Their sustained role in the Graphene Flagship (all three core phases plus the pilot line) marks them as a trusted bridge between fundamental 2D materials research and industrial device integration. For consortium builders, AMO brings both deep fabrication know-how and an unmatched network of 361+ European research partners.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 2D-EPL
  Largest single grant (EUR 3.1M) — the Graphene Flagship's experimental pilot line, positioning AMO at the center of Europe's push to industrialize 2D materials.
• PlasmoniAC
  Represents AMO's strategic pivot: using their plasmonic fabrication expertise to build neuromorphic computing hardware, combining two of their core competencies into a future-oriented application.
• POSEIDON
  One of three projects AMO coordinated — developed nanophotonic on-chip light sources using self-assembled colloids, demonstrating their ability to lead from concept to integrated device.