Science Daily October 3, 2022
A team of researchers in the US (Pennsylvania State University, University of Houston, Northwestern University, industry) has developed a stretchy, wearable synaptic transistor that works like neurons in the brain. They used stretchable bilayer semiconductor materials to fabricate the device, allowing it to stretch and twist while in use unlike the conventional transistors. The transistor is mechanically deformable and functionally reconfigurable, yet still retains its functions when stretched extensively. It can be integrated in robots or wearables and use artificial intelligence to send signals to some cells and inhibit others to enhance and weaken the devices’ memories. By designing the synaptic transistor to operate with both synaptic behaviors simultaneously, fewer transistors are needed compared to conventional integrated electronics technology, which simplifies the system architecture and allows the device to conserve energy…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Overview of the stretchable reconfigurable synaptic transistor. Credit: Nature Electronics (2022)Â