Reconfigurable Artificial Synapses based on Two-Dimensional Materials for Neuromorphic Electronics
Abstract
I. Scientific Objectives and Methods to be Employed The recently emerging two-dimensional materials offer a wide range of unique physical properties not found in other material systems that are attractive for developing new types of artificial synaptic devices. Such devices are the fundamental building blocks of artificial neural network and neuromorphic electronic systems that can benefit many critical areas of civilian and military electronics technology. The objective of the project is to explore the unique electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional materials to realize novel solid state artificial synaptic device concepts that can enable new synaptic functionalities important for neuromorphic computation applications, including the capability to dynamically reconfigure between the excitatory and inhibitory responses in the same device, the metaplasticity properties important for advanced learning and memory functions, and the optically excited operations. The research activities will not only design, fabricate and characterize novel artificial synaptic device concepts based on 2D materials, but will also develop in-depth understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms through both experimental characterizations and theoretical modeling. Network level demonstrations will also be developed based on these new device concepts to examine their applications in associative memory and recognition with partial information. II. Significance of the Work and Scientific Impact The proposed research program is expected to realize numerous novel artificial synaptic device structures that can benefit neuromorphic computation systems important for future civilian and military electronics technology. Through the development of novel bio-mimetic synaptic device structures with new functionalities, the outcome of the proposed research can benefit numerous scientific and technological fields critical to the ArmyÕs mission and technological dominance. The expected outcome of the research can enable applications in critical future Army technologies from sensing and surveillance to data processing, target tracking and target recognition. Scientifically, the project will develop in-depth understanding of the tunable electronic transport through 2D material heterostructures, the interface trapping properties, as well as the electro-optical properties of layered perovskite materials. We will also study the electric field tuning of the band profiles in these heterostructures and the resulting effects on the carrier transport and charge trapping characteristics through both experimental characterization and theoretical modeling.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 15, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1810268
Entities
People
- Han Wang
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Southern California