Biocompatible artificial synapses based on a zein active layer obtained from maize for neuromorphic computing

Youngjin Kim,Jun Seop An,Seung-Hye Choi,Tae Whan Kim,Chul Hyeon Park

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00076-1

Abstract

Artificial synaptic devices based on natural organic materials are becoming the most desirable for extending their fields of applications to include wearable and implantable devices due to their biocompatibility, flexibility, lightweight, and scalability. Herein, we proposed a zein material, extracted from natural maize, as an active layer in an artificial synapse. The synaptic device exhibited notable digital-data storage and analog data processing capabilities. Remarkably, the zein-based synaptic device achieved recognition accuracy of up to 87% and exhibited clear digit-classification results on the learning and inference test. Moreover, the recognition accuracy of the zein-based artificial synapse was maintained within a difference of less than 2%, regardless of mechanically stressed conditions. We believe that this work will be an important asset toward the realization of wearable and implantable devices utilizing artificial synapses.

Highlights

Artificial synaptic devices based on natural organic materials are becoming the most desirable for extending their fields of applications to include wearable and implantable devices due to their biocompatibility, flexibility, lightweight, and scalability
As a result of comparing the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra of pure zein with those from the zein films prepared by using various solvents, we were able to confirm that the zein film could be prepared from zein in methanol without specific chemical decomposition
This result demonstrates that a zein layer with a thickness of about 185 nm had been successfully deposited on the substrate

Summary

Introduction

Artificial synaptic devices based on natural organic materials are becoming the most desirable for extending their fields of applications to include wearable and implantable devices due to their biocompatibility, flexibility, lightweight, and scalability. Natural organic materials are promising candidates for use as components of artificial synapses due to their superior advantages, such as pliability, low-temperature processability, scalability, lightweight, and compatibility with various substrates[13,23,24,25]. Their biocompatibility allows the extension of their applications to advanced implantable, wearable, bio-integrated nanoelectronic devices[26,27]. To evaluate the possibility of using our zein-based device for wearable and implantable nanoelectronics, we tested its mechanical stability during digital and analog data processes

Methods

Results

Conclusion