In Nature Communications, a research team affiliated with UNIST present a fully biodegradable, robust, and energy-efficient artificial synapse that holds great promise for sustainable neuromorphic technologies. Made entirely from eco-friendly materials sourced from nature—such as shells, beans, and plant fibers—this innovation could help address the growing problems of electronic waste and high energy use.
Traditional artificial synapses often struggle with high power consumption and limited lifespan. Led by Professor Hyunhyub Ko from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, the team aimed to address these issues by designing a device that mimics the brain's synapses while being environmentally friendly.
The result is a layered structure made from natural, biodegradable polymers that can remember information for a long time and operate with very low energy.
The device is built like a tiny sandwich, with ion-active layers separated by an ion-binding layer made from cellulose acetate—derived from plant stems—and other layers sourced from shells and beans. When electricity is applied, sodium ions—similar to natural neurotransmitters—are released inside the device.
These ions bind at the interfaces, a process called ion dipole coupling, which allows the synapse to hold onto some ions even after stimulation stops. This retention enables the device to produce cascade-like responses, supporting various forms of synaptic plasticity, including short-term and long-term memory.
Most notably, this artificial synapse can hold its memory for nearly 6,000 seconds—about 100 minutes—making it the longest-lasting biodegradable synapse reported so far.
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