Abstract
Emulating neurons/synapses in the brain is an important step to realizing highly efficient computers. This fact makes neuromorphic devices important emerging solutions to the limitations imposed by the current computing architecture. To mimic synaptic functions in the brain, it is critical to replicate ionic movements in the nervous system. It is therefore important to note that ions move easily in liquids. In this study, we demonstrate a liquid-based neuromorphic device that is capable of mimicking the movement of ions in the nervous system by controlling Na+ movement in an aqueous solution. The concentration of Na+ in the solution can control the ionic conductivity of the device. The device shows short-term and long-term plasticity such as excitatory postsynaptic current, paired-pulse facilitation, potentiation, and depression, which are key properties for memorization and computation in the brain. This device has the potential to overcome the limitations of current von Neumann architecture-based computing systems and substantially advance the technology of neuromorphic computing.
Highlights
Neuromorphic devices provide efficient computing capability owing to their ability to combine computing and memory functions[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
Electrochemicalbased devices have exhibited promising synaptic characteristics that are useful in artificial synaptic devices because the electrochemical reactions of ions in these devices can emulate the movement of ions in the nervous system[23,24,25,26,27,28,29]
We demonstrate a neuromorphic device in which electrical signals are transported using Na+ through an aqueous solution because liquids can be practical components for neuromorphic device applications[34,35]
Summary
Neuromorphic devices provide efficient computing capability owing to their ability to combine computing and memory functions[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Artificial synapse consisted of Na2TP, Nafion, a NaCl solution, and electrodes. A top-electrode/ NaCl solution/Na2TP@Nafion/bottom-electrode structure was used to mimic the functions of the synapse (Fig. 1c). The top and bottom electrodes acted as pre- and postsynaptic neurons, respectively, and the NaCl solution/ Na2TP@Nafion acted as a synapse.
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