Brain-inspired computing with fluidic iontronic nanochannels
Abstract
The brain's remarkable and efficient information processing capability is driving research into brain-inspired (neuromorphic) computing paradigms. Artificial aqueous ion channels are emerging as an exciting platform for neuromorphic computing, representing a departure from conventional solid-state devices by directly mimicking the brain's fluidic ion transport. Supported by a quantitative theoretical model, we present easy to fabricate tapered microchannels that embed a conducting network of fluidic nanochannels between a colloidal structure. Due to transient salt concentration polarisation our devices are volatile memristors (memory resistors) that are remarkably stable. The voltage-driven net salt flux and accumulation, that underpin the concentration polarisation, surprisingly combine into a diffusionlike quadratic dependence of the memory retention time on the channel length, allowing channel design for a specific timescale. We implement our device as a synaptic element for neuromorphic reservoir computing. Individual channels distinguish various time series, that together represent (handwritten) numbers, for subsequent in-silico classification with a simple readout function. Our results represent a significant step towards realising the promise of fluidic ion channels as a platform to emulate the rich aqueous dynamics of the brain.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2309.11438,
title = {Brain-inspired computing with fluidic iontronic nanochannels},
author = {T. M. Kamsma and J. Kim and K. Kim and W. Q. Boon and C. Spitoni and J. Park and R. van Roij},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2309.11438},
year = {2024}
}