Bio-Inspired Sensory Receptors for Artificial-Intelligence Perception.

In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a growing interest in replicating human sensory perception. Selective and sensitive bio-inspired sensory receptors with synaptic plasticity have recently gained significant attention in developing energy-efficient AI perception. Various bio-inspired sensory receptors and their applications in AI perception are reviewed here. The critical challenges for the future development of bio-inspired sensory receptors are outlined, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to overcome hurdles in sensor design, integration, and scalability. AI perception can revolutionize various fields, including human-machine interaction, autonomous systems, medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, industrial optimization, and assistive technologies. As advancements in bio-inspired sensing continue to accelerate, the promise of creating more intelligent and adaptive AI systems becomes increasingly attainable, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of human-like sensory perception.

Bio-Inspired Photosensory Artificial Synapse Based on Functionalized Tellurium Multiropes for Neuromorphic Computing.

Nanomaterials like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides are being explored for developing artificial photosensory synapses with low-power optical plasticity and high retention time for practical nervous system implementation. However, few studies are conducted on Tellurium (Te)-based nanomaterials due to their direct and small bandgaps. This paper reports the superior photo-synaptic properties of covalently bonded Tellurium sulfur oxide (TeSOx ) and Tellurium selenium oxide (TeSeOx )nanomaterials, which are fabricated by incorporating S and Se atoms on the surface of Te multiropes using vapor deposition. Unlike pure Te multiropes, the TeSOx and TeSeOx multiropes exhibit controllable temporal dynamics under optical stimulation. For example, the TeSOx multirope-based transistor displays a photosensory synaptic response to UV light (λ = 365 nm). Furthermore, the TeSeOx multirope-based transistor exhibits photosensory synaptic responses to UV-vis light (λ = 365, 565, and 660 nm), reliable electrical performance, and a combination of both photodetector and optical artificial synaptic properties with a maximum responsivity of 1500 AW-1 to 365 nm UV light. This result is among the highest reported for Te-heterostructure-based devices, enabling optical artificial synaptic applications with low voltage spikes (1 V) and low light intensity (21 µW cm-2 ), potentially useful for optical neuromorphic computing.

A flexible artificial chemosensory neuronal synapse based on chemoreceptive ionogel-gated electrochemical transistor.

The human olfactory system comprises olfactory receptor neurons, projection neurons, and interneurons that perform remarkably sophisticated functions, including sensing, filtration, memorization, and forgetting of chemical stimuli for perception. Developing an artificial olfactory system that can mimic these functions has proved to be challenging. Herein, inspired by the neuronal network inside the glomerulus of the olfactory bulb, we present an artificial chemosensory neuronal synapse that can sense chemical stimuli and mimic the functions of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter release in the synapses between olfactory receptor neurons, projection neurons, and interneurons. The proposed device is based on a flexible organic electrochemical transistor gated by the potential generated by the interaction of gas molecules with ions in a chemoreceptive ionogel. The combined use of a chemoreceptive ionogel and an organic semiconductor channel allows for a long retentive memory in response to chemical stimuli. Long-term memorization of the excitatory chemical stimulus can be also erased by applying an inhibitory electrical stimulus due to ion dynamics in the chemoresponsive ionogel gate electrolyte. Applying a simple device design, we were able to mimic the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic functions of chemical synapses in the olfactory system, which can further advance the development of artificial neuronal systems for biomimetic chemosensory applications.

A Composite Microfiber for Biodegradable Stretchable Electronics.

Biodegradable stretchable electronics have demonstrated great potential for future applications in stretchable electronics and can be resorbed, dissolved, and disintegrated in the environment. Most biodegradable electronic devices have used flexible biodegradable materials, which have limited conformality in wearable and implantable devices. Here, we report a biodegradable, biocompatible, and stretchable composite microfiber of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for transient stretchable device applications. Compositing high-strength PVA with stretchable and biodegradable PGS with poor processability, formability, and mechanical strength overcomes the limits of pure PGS. As an application, the stretchable microfiber-based strain sensor developed by the incorporation of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) into a composite microfiber showed stable current response under cyclic and dynamic stretching at 30% strain. The sensor also showed the ability to monitor the strain produced by tapping, bending, and stretching of the finger, knee, and esophagus. The biodegradable and stretchable composite materials of PGS with additive PVA have great potential for use in transient and environmentally friendly stretchable electronics with reduced environmental footprint.