University of Oulu’s SUPERIOT project earns place in EU’s top 10 for 6G innovation

The recognition was confirmed by the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), which coordinates research and innovation funding for Europe’s next-generation digital infrastructure. The decision is a significant milestone for the University of Oulu’s 6G Flagship and the international SUPERIOT consortium, coordinated in Oulu by Professor Marcos Katz.

This recognition is a powerful validation of our shared vision: that the development of 6G communication systems must be pursued with sustainability at its core. For our team, the acknowledgment affirms the value of our research and the dedication we’ve invested in creating innovative, environmentally responsible IoT solutions. As the technical coordinator of the SUPERIOT project, I’d especially like to acknowledge the valuable contribution of Tuomas Paso, who has played a key role as the project’s administrative coordinator, ensuring smooth operations and strong alignment across the consortium. SUPERIOT highlights the strength of our interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral partnership. It showcases how coordinated efforts between academia, industry, and research institutions can lead to breakthroughs that resonate at the European level. We see this as a call to continue pushing boundaries and as a signal that sustainability is now central to the future of digital infrastructure,” says Katz.

A vote of confidence in European microelectronics

Europe’s microelectronics and IoT industries are at a crossroads. On one hand, the demand for sustainable, secure, and scalable solutions is growing fast. On the other, the continent is working to reduce dependency on external supply chains and develop its own technological base. This priority is reflected in initiatives such as the European Chips Act, which aims to boost Europe’s share of global semiconductor production and reinforce strategic autonomy.

By placing SUPERIOT among the top ten, the SNS JU has spotlighted European excellence in low-power, high-performance hardware solutions tailored for the Internet of Things. It reflects how innovation in environmentally responsible electronics is moving from lab to market. Projects like this are aligning with key policy goals, from the Green Deal to digital resilience.

The selected achievement merges two of SUPERIOT’s leading developments: a reconfigurable multi-mode IoT system and a new class of scalable electronic components made through printed and thin-film techniques. Together, these advances enable a new generation of sustainable, energy-efficient sensor nodes.

“The SUPERIOT project addresses a critical challenge for the 6G era: how to design IoT systems that meet the demanding performance requirements of future networks while remaining truly sustainable,” Katz says. “As IoT adoption accelerates, projections suggest that hundreds of billions of devices will be deployed globally. This scale raises urgent concerns about energy consumption, material use, and environmental impact.”

SUPERIOT confronts these issues by developing a novel, reconfigurable IoT concept that integrates both radio and optical wireless technologies. This dual-mode approach enables flexible communication, energy harvesting, and precise positioning, without relying on disposable batteries. The system dynamically adapts to its environment, switching between communication modes to optimise performance and sustainability.

“A key innovation lies in the use of printed electronics, which allows for low-energy, scalable manufacturing of components such as solar cells, transistors, and supercapacitators,” continues Katz. “These components are made from environmentally friendly materials and designed for minimal waste and responsible disposal.”

By applying a holistic sustainability methodology, from design and implementation to usage and end-of-life, SUPERIOT sets a new benchmark for responsible IoT development. “The project anticipates the future need for scalable, high-performance IoT systems that do not compromise the planet. It offers a blueprint for how next-generation networks can be both powerful and ecologically sound,” Katz explains.

Unlike traditional hardware, these components can be manufactured using additive techniques that reduce material waste and energy use. The reconfigurable system allows a single IoT device to adapt its mode of operation based on the context. It reduces the need for specialised, single-purpose devices. “This means more sustainable deployment, better use of radio and other resources, and easier integration into diverse environments, from smart agriculture to industrial monitoring,” emphasises Katz.

The European evaluation committee grouped both contributions under the category of significant technology development. They praised the high quality and technical synergy of the two submissions as they combine innovation in both hardware implementation and microelectronics design.

Oulu’s imprint on next-generation IoT

Being in EU’s top 10 for 6G innovation is the result of dedicated work across the SUPERIOT consortium, where the University of Oulu’s team, led by Professor Katz, plays a central role in both concept and execution.

Drawing on years of foundational work within the 6G Flagship, the researchers contributed key breakthroughs in system design and hardware integration, alongside expertise in wireless systems and energy optimisation. This helped shape the technologies now recognised at European level. It demonstrates Oulu’s broader commitment to sustainable technology development by combining academic excellence with real-world applicability.

Oulu is internationally recognised as a leading technology hub in wireless and mobile communications. “The city’s expertise spans cutting-edge domains such as cellular communications, IoT, printed electronics, and sustainable digital infrastructure, driven by strong collaboration between academia, particularly the University of Oulu, and industry.

Through the 6G Flagship programme and its active role in EU-level initiatives such as SNS JU and NetworldEurope, the future of European digital infrastructure is being developed in Oulu. Leadership in printed electronics, spearheaded by the University of Oulu, VTT, and local industry, further reinforces the city’s importance as a pioneer in sustainable technology development,” Katz points out.

Oulu’s designation as Finland’s dual-use technology hub and the launch of Nokia’s smart-factory campus for 5G/6G design and manufacturing also highlight Oulu’s growing influence in both civilian and defence applications. These efforts are complemented by award-winning projects like Hola 5G Oulu that introduced Europe’s first private 5G network in a live hospital setting.