HYBRID BIOMOLECULAR SYNAPSES FOR MULTIFUNCTIONAL SENSING AND NEUROMORPHIC COMPUTING AT THE EDGE OF BIOLOGY
Abstract
The past decade has produced many types of brain-inspired, or neuromorphic, computing devices (e.g., transistors and memristors) that enable brain-like plasticity and memory. Yet most emulate few basic properties of synapses and neurons and are bio-incompatible—and thus unable to communicate well with living cells or tissues. Therefore, new materials and devices are needed to integrate sensing and neuromorphic computing at the biotic/abiotic interface. Approaches that improve biocompatibility, emulation of synaptic plasticity and neural signaling, and multifunctionality are of particular interest and will lead to new types of implantable or wearable, smart bioelectronics. The goal of this project is to develop a multifunctional neuromorphic interface—a hybrid biomolecular synapse—capable of selective ionic and biochemical sensing, signal processing, learning, and memory in wet, cellular environments. The hybrid device pairs a biomembrane containing stimuli-responsive biomolecules with a soft semiconducting polymer. We hypothesize that integrating these components will: 1) lead to biocompatible sensing devices that transduce multiple types of physical stimuli; and 2) enable neuromorphic signal processing and memory functionalities. These advances are necessary for adaptive sensing, learning, and computing in close proximity to living cells and tissues—at the edge of biology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210426
Entities
People
- Stephen A Sarles
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Tennessee