New brain-like device mimics human learning

The secret of the device lies in its new organic synaptic transistors, which simultaneously

process and store information, as well ashuman brain. It is noted that the transistor can imitate the short- and long-term plasticity of synapses in the human brain, relying on memories: this is how it learns over time.

Due to the similarity to brain work, the newthe transistor can potentially overcome the limitations of traditional computing, including its power-hungry hardware and its limited ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time. The device is also more resilient: it continues to run smoothly even when some components fail.

A modern computer is an outstandinginvention, but the human brain can easily outperform it in some complex and unstructured tasks such as pattern recognition, motor control, and multisensory integration.  This is due to the plasticity of the synapse, which is the basic building block of the brain's processing power. These synapses allow the brain to function in  in a parallel, fault-tolerant and energy-efficient manner. 

Jonathan Rivney, senior author of the study

In conventional digital computing systems, there are separate processing and storage units, as a result of which tasks that require large amounts of data consume large amounts of energy.

Nowadays, memory resistor or memristor is the most developed technology that can perform combined processing and memory function.

However, memristors suffer from energy-intensiveswitching and less biocompatibility. These shortcomings led researchers to create the synaptic transistor - this is a special organic electrochemical synaptic transistor that operates at low voltage, has a continuously rebuilt memory, and is also highly compatible. 

Next, the developers optimized the conductiveplastic material inside an organic electrochemical transistor that can trap ions. This is a structure through which a neuron can transmit signals to another neuron using small molecules called neurotransmitters. In a synaptic transistor, ions behave similarly to neurotransmitters, sending signals to form an artificial synapse. 

The authors emphasize that the synaptic chainis made from soft polymers such as plastic, so it can be easily fabricated on flexible sheets and easily integrated into soft wearable electronics, intelligent robotics, and implants.

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