Liquid-Type Artificial Synaptic Devices with Low Power Consumption

Emulation of synaptic functions is an emerging method for enhancing the performance and efficiency of computational systems. Artificial synaptic devices should exhibit a gradual change in conductivity to emulate synaptic functions. For artificial synaptic devices, ions are suitable materials to emulate the analog characteristics of synapses because they can move gradually. However, to develop efficient neuromorphic devices, the power required for controlling the ions in the devices should be minimized. In this study, we report liquid-type artificial synaptic devices with low power consumption and high ionic mobility. These devices consist of top and bottom electrodes that sandwich liquid materials. Because the liquid materials exhibit high ionic movement, the ions require less energy to migrate. Therefore, the developed liquid-type artificial synaptic devices can achieve low operating power consumption. The devices exhibit neuromorphic characteristics, including potentiation, depression, excitatory postsynaptic current, and paired-pulse facilitation. In addition, they can be employed as flexible neuromorphic devices because their main component is liquid. This study can provide a platform for the development of flexible and highly energy-efficient brain-mimicking devices. In this presentation, the characteristics of the proposed liquid-based neuromorphic devices characteristics will be presented in detail.