Electronic synapses: bioinspired and biomimicking networks based on organic memristors

Abstract

This thesis reports part of the results obtained during these 3 years of PhD program in which I have been involved in the MaDEleNA Project (Developing and Studying novel intelligent nanoMaterials and Devices towards Adaptive Electronics and Neuroscience Applications) founded by Provincia Autonoma di Trento. My research activity, based on the electrical properties of a special electrochemical device with memory features named Organic Memristor, embraces two of the most challenging fields of research: the neuromorphic engineering and the bio-electronics. We reported the realization of memristive devices able to perform typical features of the biological synaptic plasticity considering both the well studied Long Term Potentiation (LTP) and the Long Term Depression (LTD) homosynaptic functions and the less investigated heterosynaptic plasticity. Moreover, we realized artificial neuronal networks in which the main role was played by memristive devices whose ability of varying their conductive properties made possible the accomplishment of an elementary perceptron and, afterwards, of an artificial neuronal network that can be considered as a precursor of the double layer perceptron. Finally, we provided evidences of the possibility of interfacing of the organic memristor with different cells testing the bio-compatibility of the polymeric main component of the devices, and reporting proves of the possibility of connecting two nervous cells through an organic memristor preserving their biological communication mechanisms.