Electronics engineers have been attempting to create new hardware based on the human brain that can run AI models more effectively. While most existing equipment is well versed in one or the other of detecting, handling, or putting away information, a few groups have been investigating the possibility of consolidating these three functionalities in a single gadget.
A novel organic transistor that is capable of serving as both a sensor and a processor was developed by researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University, the University of Hong Kong, and the Xi’an University of Science and Technology. Based on a vertical traverse architecture and a crystalline-amorphous channel that can be selectively doped with ions, this transistor can switch between two reconfigurable modes, as demonstrated in a Nature Electronics paper.
Prof. Wei Ma and Prof. Zhongrui Wang, two of the study’s authors, told Tech Xplore, “Conventional artificial intelligence (AI) hardware uses separate systems for data sensing, processing, and memory storage.”
“In the sensing mode, ions in the electrolyte migrate into the crystal structure in response to a physiological signal, but they can easily diffuse back into the electrolyte, keeping the channel in a low-conductance state. In the processing mode, these ions can be ‘trapped’ by the crystal structure, keeping the channel in a high-conductance state. This dual functionality distinguishes and optimizes our OECT gadget.”
Prof. Zhongrui Wang, the researchers who carried out the study,
“Due to the constant requirement for data transfer between various hardware components and the sequential conversion of analog signals to digital signals, this separation frequently results in significant energy consumption as well as time delays. Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs)’ remarkable analog memory and sensing capabilities have been the subject of groundbreaking research.
The recent study’s initial goal was to create an OECT that could serve as both a sensor and a processor. This would make it possible to create AI hardware that is more consistent and effective. Organic electronic transistors (OECTs) are thin-film-based devices. Their slenderness makes them especially encouraging for the advancement of savvy bioelectronics, like wearable or implantable gadgets and neuromorphic equipment.
The OECT developed by Wang, Chen, and their coworkers operates in two distinct modes: a sensing mode and a processing mode. The device’s crystalline-amorphous channel is selectively doped with ions to support these two distinct modes.
According to Wang’s explanation, “in the sensing mode, ions in the electrolyte, driven by a physiological signal, migrate into the crystal structure. However, they can easily diffuse back into the electrolyte, keeping the channel in a low-conductance state.” The crystal structure can “trap” these ions in the processing mode, keeping the channel in a high-conductance state. Our OECT device is distinctive and effective due to its dual functionality.”
To produce their OECT cluster, the specialists utilized a progression of clear procedures and cycles, including warm dissipation, arrangement cutting edge covering, warm tempering, and receptive particle drawing. They might make it easier to make their device on a large scale because all of these methods are cheap.
Wang stated, “Our device also boasts impressive versatility.” It is capable of detecting a wide range of signals as a sensor, including those generated by electrophysiology, chemical species, light, and temperature. In addition, it has a number of advantages as a memory unit, including the capacity to store analog states with ten bits, low switching randomness, and a state retention time of more than 10,000 seconds. As a result, our OECT device is an adaptable AI tool.”
Wang, Chen, and their partners assessed their gadget and its capacity to switch between its different working modes in a series of tests. They discovered that the dynamics of their OECT could be effectively modulated, making it capable of serving as both a sensor and a processor.
As a sensor, the gadget can detect different sorts of things, including particles and light. It is a processor that is capable of analog states with 10 bits and can keep these states well.
Shijie stated, “The novel device we developed features two distinct operating schemes due to the location of ions.” Consequently, it serves as both a sensor and a processor. This reconfigurability is bio-roused, which likewise makes future neuromorphic equipment more flexible and versatile.”
Advanced neuromorphic devices that are capable of processing a variety of data types could be made with the transistor developed by this group of researchers in the future. As a component of their review, Wang, Chen, and their partners demonstrated the way that it very well may be utilized to analyze cardiovascular illnesses progressively, and their next work could investigate additional promising applications.
“We are right now intending to refine our manufacturing innovation determined to make an enormous scope OECT cluster,” Wang added. “This will establish the groundwork for a completely coordinated detecting and handling brain organization. The likely uses of this innovation are broad and could reform fields like medical care. For example, it could empower constant sickness determination utilizing equipment alone, a cutting edge that could extraordinarily upgrade speed and exactness in clinical settings.”
More information: Shijie Wang et al, An organic electrochemical transistor for multi-modal sensing, memory and processing, Nature Electronics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-023-00950-y
