1
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Kim G, In JH, Lee Y, Rhee H, Park W, Song H, Park J, Jeon JB, Brown TD, Talin AA, Kumar S, Kim KM. Mott neurons with dual thermal dynamics for spatiotemporal computing. NATURE MATERIALS 2024:10.1038/s41563-024-01913-0. [PMID: 38890486 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01913-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Heat dissipation is a natural consequence of operating any electronic system. In nearly all computing systems, such heat is usually minimized by design and cooling. Here, we show that the temporal dynamics of internally produced heat in electronic devices can be engineered to both encode information within a single device and process information across multiple devices. In our demonstration, electronic NbOx Mott neurons, integrated on a flexible organic substrate, exhibit 18 biomimetic neuronal behaviours and frequency-based nociception within a single component by exploiting both the thermal dynamics of the Mott transition and the dynamical thermal interactions with the organic substrate. Further, multiple interconnected Mott neurons spatiotemporally communicate purely via heat, which we use for graph optimization by consuming over 106 times less energy when compared with the best digital processors. Thus, exploiting natural thermal processes in computing can lead to functionally dense, energy-efficient and radically novel mixed-physics computing primitives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwangmin Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyun In
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghyun Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hakseung Rhee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojoon Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanchan Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Juseong Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Bum Jeon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | | | - A Alec Talin
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Suhas Kumar
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA.
| | - Kyung Min Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Nath SK, Das SK, Nandi SK, Xi C, Marquez CV, Rúa A, Uenuma M, Wang Z, Zhang S, Zhu RJ, Eshraghian J, Sun X, Lu T, Bian Y, Syed N, Pan W, Wang H, Lei W, Fu L, Faraone L, Liu Y, Elliman RG. Optically Tunable Electrical Oscillations in Oxide-Based Memristors for Neuromorphic Computing. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2400904. [PMID: 38516720 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202400904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The application of hardware-based neural networks can be enhanced by integrating sensory neurons and synapses that enable direct input from external stimuli. This work reports direct optical control of an oscillatory neuron based on volatile threshold switching in V3O5. The devices exhibit electroforming-free operation with switching parameters that can be tuned by optical illumination. Using temperature-dependent electrical measurements, conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM), in situ thermal imaging, and lumped element modelling, it is shown that the changes in switching parameters, including threshold and hold voltages, arise from overall conductivity increase of the oxide film due to the contribution of both photoconductive and bolometric characteristics of V3O5, which eventually affects the oscillation dynamics. Furthermore, V3O5 is identified as a new bolometric material with a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) as high as -4.6% K-1 at 423 K. The utility of these devices is illustrated by demonstrating in-sensor reservoir computing with reduced computational effort and an optical encoding layer for spiking neural network (SNN), respectively, using a simulated array of devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimul Kanti Nath
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sujan Kumar Das
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar Univeristy, Savar, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Sanjoy Kumar Nandi
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Chen Xi
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Rd, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
| | | | - Armando Rúa
- Department of Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR, 00681, USA
| | - Mutsunori Uenuma
- Information Device Science Laboratory, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Zhongrui Wang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Rd, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
| | - Songqing Zhang
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Rui-Jie Zhu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Jason Eshraghian
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Xiao Sun
- John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Teng Lu
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Yue Bian
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Nitu Syed
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Wenwu Pan
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Wen Lei
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Lan Fu
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Lorenzo Faraone
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Yun Liu
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Robert G Elliman
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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3
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Woo KS, Zhang A, Arabelo A, Brown TD, Park M, Talin AA, Fuller EJ, Bisht RS, Qian X, Arroyave R, Ramanathan S, Thomas L, Williams RS, Kumar S. True random number generation using the spin crossover in LaCoO 3. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4656. [PMID: 38821970 PMCID: PMC11143320 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49149-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
While digital computers rely on software-generated pseudo-random number generators, hardware-based true random number generators (TRNGs), which employ the natural physics of the underlying hardware, provide true stochasticity, and power and area efficiency. Research into TRNGs has extensively relied on the unpredictability in phase transitions, but such phase transitions are difficult to control given their often abrupt and narrow parameter ranges (e.g., occurring in a small temperature window). Here we demonstrate a TRNG based on self-oscillations in LaCoO3 that is electrically biased within its spin crossover regime. The LaCoO3 TRNG passes all standard tests of true stochasticity and uses only half the number of components compared to prior TRNGs. Assisted by phase field modeling, we show how spin crossovers are fundamentally better in producing true stochasticity compared to traditional phase transitions. As a validation, by probabilistically solving the NP-hard max-cut problem in a memristor crossbar array using our TRNG as a source of the required stochasticity, we demonstrate solution quality exceeding that using software-generated randomness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Seok Woo
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alan Zhang
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Allison Arabelo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Minseong Park
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - A Alec Talin
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA
| | | | - Ravindra Singh Bisht
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Qian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Raymundo Arroyave
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Shriram Ramanathan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Luke Thomas
- Applied Materials Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA
| | - R Stanley Williams
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Suhas Kumar
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA.
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4
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Song H, Lee MG, Kim G, Kim DH, Kim G, Park W, Rhee H, In JH, Kim KM. Fully Memristive Elementary Motion Detectors for a Maneuver Prediction. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309708. [PMID: 38251443 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Insects can efficiently perform object motion detection via a specialized neural circuit, called an elementary motion detector (EMD). In contrast, conventional machine vision systems require significant computational resources for dynamic motion processing. Here, a fully memristive EMD (M-EMD) is presented that implements the Hassenstein-Reichardt (HR) correlator, a biological model of the EMD. The M-EMD consists of a simple Wye (Y) configuration, including a static resistor, a dynamic memristor, and a Mott memristor. The resistor and dynamic memristor introduce different signal delays, enabling spatio-temporal signal integration in the subsequent Mott memristor, resulting in a direction-selective response. In addition, a neuromorphic system is developed employing the M-EMDs to predict a lane-changing maneuver by vehicles on the road. The system achieved a high accuracy (> 87%) in predicting future lane-changing maneuvers on the Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) dataset while reducing the computational cost by 92.9% compared to the conventional neuromorphic system without the M-EMD, suggesting its strong potential for edge-level computing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanchan Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Gu Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwangmin Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Hoon Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Geunyoung Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojoon Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hakseung Rhee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyun In
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Min Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
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5
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Qiu E, Salev P, Torres F, Navarro H, Dynes RC, Schuller IK. Stochastic transition in synchronized spiking nanooscillators. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303765120. [PMID: 37695901 PMCID: PMC10515151 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303765120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This work reports that synchronization of Mott material-based nanoscale coupled spiking oscillators can be drastically different from that in conventional harmonic oscillators. We investigated the synchronization of spiking nanooscillators mediated by thermal interactions due to the close physical proximity of the devices. Controlling the driving voltage enables in-phase 1:1 and 2:1 integer synchronization modes between neighboring oscillators. Transition between these two integer modes occurs through an unusual stochastic synchronization regime instead of the loss of spiking coherence. In the stochastic synchronization regime, random length spiking sequences belonging to the 1:1 and 2:1 integer modes are intermixed. The occurrence of this stochasticity is an important factor that must be taken into account in the design of large-scale spiking networks for hardware-level implementation of novel computational paradigms such as neuromorphic and stochastic computing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erbin Qiu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
- Department of Physics, Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Pavel Salev
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Denver, Denver, CO80208
| | - Felipe Torres
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago7800024, Chile
| | - Henry Navarro
- Department of Physics, Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Robert C. Dynes
- Department of Physics, Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Ivan K. Schuller
- Department of Physics, Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
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6
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Brown TD, Bohaichuk SM, Islam M, Kumar S, Pop E, Williams RS. Electro-Thermal Characterization of Dynamical VO 2 Memristors via Local Activity Modeling. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2205451. [PMID: 36165218 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202205451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Translating the surging interest in neuromorphic electronic components, such as those based on nonlinearities near Mott transitions, into large-scale commercial deployment faces steep challenges in the current lack of means to identify and design key material parameters. These issues are exemplified by the difficulties in connecting measurable material properties to device behavior via circuit element models. Here, the principle of local activity is used to build a model of VO2 /SiN Mott threshold switches by sequentially accounting for constraints from a minimal set of quasistatic and dynamic electrical and high-spatial-resolution thermal data obtained via in situ thermoreflectance mapping. By combining independent data sets for devices with varying dimensions, the model is distilled to measurable material properties, and device scaling laws are established. The model can accurately predict electrical and thermal conductivities and capacitances and locally active dynamics (especially persistent spiking self-oscillations). The systematic procedure by which this model is developed has been a missing link in predictively connecting neuromorphic device behavior with their underlying material properties, and should enable rapid screening of material candidates before employing expensive manufacturing processes and testing procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Brown
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | | | - Mahnaz Islam
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Suhas Kumar
- Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Eric Pop
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - R Stanley Williams
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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7
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Schofield P, Bradicich A, Gurrola RM, Zhang Y, Brown TD, Pharr M, Shamberger PJ, Banerjee S. Harnessing the Metal-Insulator Transition of VO 2 in Neuromorphic Computing. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2205294. [PMID: 36036767 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202205294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Future-generation neuromorphic computing seeks to overcome the limitations of von Neumann architectures by colocating logic and memory functions, thereby emulating the function of neurons and synapses in the human brain. Despite remarkable demonstrations of high-fidelity neuronal emulation, the predictive design of neuromorphic circuits starting from knowledge of material transformations remains challenging. VO2 is an attractive candidate since it manifests a near-room-temperature, discontinuous, and hysteretic metal-insulator transition. The transition provides a nonlinear dynamical response to input signals, as needed to construct neuronal circuit elements. Strategies for tuning the transformation characteristics of VO2 based on modification of material properties, interfacial structure, and field couplings, are discussed. Dynamical modulation of transformation characteristics through in situ processing is discussed as a means of imbuing synaptic function. Mechanistic understanding of site-selective modification; external, epitaxial, and chemical strain; defect dynamics; and interfacial field coupling in modifying local atomistic structure, the implications therein for electronic structure, and ultimately, the tuning of transformation characteristics, is emphasized. Opportunities are highlighted for inverse design and for using design principles related to thermodynamics and kinetics of electronic transitions learned from VO2 to inform the design of new Mott materials, as well as to go beyond energy-efficient computation to manifest intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker Schofield
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Adelaide Bradicich
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Rebeca M Gurrola
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | | | - Matt Pharr
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Patrick J Shamberger
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Sarbajit Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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8
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Yuan R, Tiw PJ, Cai L, Yang Z, Liu C, Zhang T, Ge C, Huang R, Yang Y. A neuromorphic physiological signal processing system based on VO 2 memristor for next-generation human-machine interface. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3695. [PMID: 37344448 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39430-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Physiological signal processing plays a key role in next-generation human-machine interfaces as physiological signals provide rich cognition- and health-related information. However, the explosion of physiological signal data presents challenges for traditional systems. Here, we propose a highly efficient neuromorphic physiological signal processing system based on VO2 memristors. The volatile and positive/negative symmetric threshold switching characteristics of VO2 memristors are leveraged to construct a sparse-spiking yet high-fidelity asynchronous spike encoder for physiological signals. Besides, the dynamical behavior of VO2 memristors is utilized in compact Leaky Integrate and Fire (LIF) and Adaptive-LIF (ALIF) neurons, which are incorporated into a decision-making Long short-term memory Spiking Neural Network. The system demonstrates superior computing capabilities, needing only small-sized LSNNs to attain high accuracies of 95.83% and 99.79% in arrhythmia classification and epileptic seizure detection, respectively. This work highlights the potential of memristors in constructing efficient neuromorphic physiological signal processing systems and promoting next-generation human-machine interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yuan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Pek Jun Tiw
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhiyu Yang
- School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chen Ge
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Ru Huang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yuchao Yang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Center for Brain Inspired Chips, Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- Center for Brain Inspired Intelligence, Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR), Beijing, Beijing, 102206, China.
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9
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Park W, Kim G, In JH, Rhee H, Song H, Park J, Martinez A, Kim KM. High Amplitude Spike Generator in Au Nanodot-Incorporated NbO x Mott Memristor. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:5399-5407. [PMID: 36930534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c04599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
NbOx-based Mott memristors exhibit fast threshold switching behaviors, making them suitable for spike generators in neuromorphic computing and stochastic clock generators in security devices. In these applications, a high output spike amplitude is necessary for threshold level control and accurate signal detection. Here, we propose a materialwise solution to obtain the high amplitude spikes by inserting Au nanodots into the NbOx device. The Au nanodots enable increasing the threshold voltage by modulating the oxygen contents at the electrode-oxide interface, providing a higher ON current compared to nanodot-free NbOx devices. Also, the reduction of the local switching region volume decreases the thermal capacitance of the system, allowing the maximum spike amplitude generation. Consequently, the Au nanodot incorporation increases the spike amplitude of the NbOx device by 6 times, without any additional external circuit elements. The results are systematically supported by both a numerical model and a finite-element-method-based multiphysics model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojoon Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwangmin Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyun In
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hakseung Rhee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanchan Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Juseong Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Alba Martinez
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Min Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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10
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Nath SK, Nandi SK, Das SK, Liang Y, Elliman RG. Thermal transport in metal-NbO x-metal cross-point devices and its effect on threshold switching characteristics. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:7559-7565. [PMID: 37038892 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00173c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Volatile threshold switching and current-controlled negative differential resistance (NDR) in metal-oxide-metal (MOM) devices result from thermally driven conductivity changes induced by local Joule heating and are therefore influenced by the thermal properties of the device-structure. In this study, we investigate the effect of the metal electrodes on the threshold switching response of NbOx-based cross-point devices. The electroforming and switching characteristics are shown to be strongly influenced by the thickness and thermal conductivity of the top-electrode due to its effect on heat loss from the NbOx film. Specifically, we demonstrate a 40% reduction in threshold voltage and a 75% reduction in threshold power as the thickness of the top Au electrode is reduced from 125 nm to 25 nm, and a 24% reduction in threshold voltage and 64% reduction in threshold power when the Au electrode is replaced by a Pt electrode of the same thickness of NbOx film, due to its lower thermal conductivity. Lumped element and finite element modelling of the devices show that these improvements are due to a reduction in heat loss to the electrodes, which is dominated by lateral heat flow within the electrode. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of the electrodes in determining the electroforming and threshold switching characteristics of MOM cross point devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimul Kanti Nath
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National, University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Sanjoy Kumar Nandi
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National, University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Sujan Kumar Das
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National, University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Yan Liang
- School of Electronic and Information, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Robert G Elliman
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National, University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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11
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Liu F, Deswal S, Christou A, Sandamirskaya Y, Kaboli M, Dahiya R. Neuro-inspired electronic skin for robots. Sci Robot 2022; 7:eabl7344. [PMID: 35675450 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abl7344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Touch is a complex sensing modality owing to large number of receptors (mechano, thermal, pain) nonuniformly embedded in the soft skin all over the body. These receptors can gather and encode the large tactile data, allowing us to feel and perceive the real world. This efficient somatosensation far outperforms the touch-sensing capability of most of the state-of-the-art robots today and suggests the need for neural-like hardware for electronic skin (e-skin). This could be attained through either innovative schemes for developing distributed electronics or repurposing the neuromorphic circuits developed for other sensory modalities such as vision and audio. This Review highlights the hardware implementations of various computational building blocks for e-skin and the ways they can be integrated to potentially realize human skin-like or peripheral nervous system-like functionalities. The neural-like sensing and data processing are discussed along with various algorithms and hardware architectures. The integration of ultrathin neuromorphic chips for local computation and the printed electronics on soft substrate used for the development of e-skin over large areas are expected to advance robotic interaction as well as open new avenues for research in medical instrumentation, wearables, electronics, and neuroprosthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Liu
- Bendable Electronics and Sensing Technologies (BEST) Group, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow, UK
| | - Sweety Deswal
- Bendable Electronics and Sensing Technologies (BEST) Group, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow, UK
| | - Adamos Christou
- Bendable Electronics and Sensing Technologies (BEST) Group, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Mohsen Kaboli
- Department of Research, New Technologies, Innovation, BMW Group, Parkring 19, 85748 Garching bei Munchen, Germany.,Cognitive Robotics and Tactile Intelligence Group, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ravinder Dahiya
- Bendable Electronics and Sensing Technologies (BEST) Group, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow, UK
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12
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Simultaneous emulation of synaptic and intrinsic plasticity using a memristive synapse. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2811. [PMID: 35589710 PMCID: PMC9120471 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30432-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromorphic computing targets the hardware embodiment of neural network, and device implementation of individual neuron and synapse has attracted considerable attention. The emulation of synaptic plasticity has shown promising results after the advent of memristors. However, neuronal intrinsic plasticity, which involves in learning process through interactions with synaptic plasticity, has been rarely demonstrated. Synaptic and intrinsic plasticity occur concomitantly in learning process, suggesting the need of the simultaneous implementation. Here, we report a neurosynaptic device that mimics synaptic and intrinsic plasticity concomitantly in a single cell. Threshold switch and phase change memory are merged in threshold switch-phase change memory device. Neuronal intrinsic plasticity is demonstrated based on bottom threshold switch layer, which resembles the modulation of firing frequency in biological neuron. Synaptic plasticity is also introduced through the nonvolatile switching of top phase change layer. Intrinsic and synaptic plasticity are simultaneously emulated in a single cell to establish the positive feedback between them. A positive feedback learning loop which mimics the retraining process in biological system is implemented in threshold switch-phase change memory array for accelerated training. Synaptic plasticity and neuronal intrinsic plasticity are both involved in the learning process of hardware artificial neural network. Here, Lee et al. integrate a threshold switch and a phase change memory in a single device, which emulates biological synaptic and intrinsic plasticity simultaneously.
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13
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Wan Q, Zeng F, Sun Y, Chen T, Yu J, Wu H, Zhao Z, Cao J, Pan F. Memristive Behaviors Dominated by Reversible Nucleation Dynamics of Phase-Change Nanoclusters. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2105070. [PMID: 35048484 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
One of the important steps for realizing artificial intelligence is identifying elementary units that are beneficial for neural network construction. A type of memristive behavior in which phase-change nanoclusters nucleate adaptively in two adjacent dielectric layers with distinct distribution patterns is demonstrated. This memristive system responds in potentiation to increased stimulation strength and fire action potential after threshold stimulation. Reversible nucleation of phase-change nanoclusters is confirmed after both in situ and ex situ examinations using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The dynamics at the nanoscale level dominates the actions of the two dielectric layers. The oscillation response over a long period is due to the competition between crystalline and amorphous phases in the layer near the bottom electrode. Weight mutation, that is, action potential firing, is caused by the blockage of the filament in the layer near the top electrode. The memristive system is compact and able to execute complicated functions of a complete neuron and performs an important role in neuromorphic computing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Wan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Fei Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Center for Brain Inspired Computing Research (CBICR), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Sun
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Tongjin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Junwei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Huaqiang Wu
- Center for Brain Inspired Computing Research (CBICR), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Microelectronics Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100082, P. R. China
| | - Jiangli Cao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100082, P. R. China
| | - Feng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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14
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Valle JD, Salev P, Gariglio S, Kalcheim Y, Schuller IK, Triscone JM. Generation of Tunable Stochastic Sequences Using the Insulator-Metal Transition. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:1251-1256. [PMID: 35061947 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Probabilistic computing is a paradigm in which data are not represented by stable bits, but rather by the probability of a metastable bit to be in a particular state. The development of this technology has been hindered by the availability of hardware capable of generating stochastic and tunable sequences of "1s" and "0s". The options are currently limited to complex CMOS circuitry and, recently, magnetic tunnel junctions. Here, we demonstrate that metal-insulator transitions can also be used for this purpose. We use an electrical pump/probe protocol and take advantage of the stochastic relaxation dynamics in VO2 to induce random metallization events. A simple latch circuit converts the metallization sequence into a random stream of 1s and 0s. The resetting pulse in between probes decorrelates successive events, providing a true stochastic digital sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Del Valle
- Department of Quantum Matter Physics, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pavel Salev
- Department of Physics and Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Stefano Gariglio
- Department of Quantum Matter Physics, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yoav Kalcheim
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Ivan K Schuller
- Department of Physics and Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jean-Marc Triscone
- Department of Quantum Matter Physics, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Voltage Pulse Driven VO2 Volatile Resistive Transition Devices as Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Artificial Neurons. ELECTRONICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/electronics11040516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In a hardware-based neuromorphic computation system, using emerging nonvolatile memory devices as artificial synapses, which have an inelastic memory characteristic, has attracted considerable interest. In contrast, the elastic artificial neurons have received much less attention. An ideal material system that is suitable for mimicking biological neurons is the one with volatile (or mono-stable) resistive change property. Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a well-known material that exhibits an abrupt and volatile insulator-to-metal transition property. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate that pulse-driven two-terminal VO2 devices behave in a leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) manner, and they elastically relax back to their initial value after firing, thus, mimicking the behavior of biological neurons. The VO2 device with a channel length of 20 µm can be driven to fire by a single long-duration pulse (>83 µs) or multiple short-duration pulses. We further model the VO2 devices as resistive networks based on their granular domain structure, with resistivities corresponding to the insulator or metallic states. Simulation results confirm that the volatile resistive transition under voltage pulse driving is caused by the formation of a metallic filament in an avalanche-like process, while this volatile metallic filament will relax back to the insulating state at the end of driving pulses. The simulation offers a microscopic view of the dynamic and abrupt filament formation process to explain the experimentally observed LIF behavior. These results suggest that VO2 insulator–metal transition could be exploited for artificial neurons.
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16
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Thermal rectification in multilayer phase change material structures for energy storage applications. iScience 2021; 24:102843. [PMID: 34401658 PMCID: PMC8353506 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid-state thermal control devices that present an asymmetric heat flow depending on thermal bias directionality, referred to as thermal diodes, have recently received increased attention for energy management. The use of materials that can change phase is a common approach to design thermal diodes, but typical sizes, moderate rectification ratios, and narrow thermal tunability limit their potential applications. In this work, we propose a multilayer thermal diode made of a combination of phase change and invariant materials. This device presents state-of-the-art thermal rectification ratios up to 136% for a temperature range between 300 K and 500 K. Importantly, this design allows to switch between distinct rectification states that can be modulated with temperature, achieving an additional degree of thermal control compared with single-rectification-state devices. We analyze the relevance of our thermal diodes for retaining heat more efficiently in thermal storage elements. Unique thermal diode design based on multilayer phase change material structures Thermal rectification ratios up to 136 % were observed The thermal rectification ratio can be modulated with temperature Thermal diodes can be integrated in energy storage elements for efficient heat retention
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17
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Sood A, Shen X, Shi Y, Kumar S, Park SJ, Zajac M, Sun Y, Chen LQ, Ramanathan S, Wang X, Chueh WC, Lindenberg AM. Universal phase dynamics in VO 2 switches revealed by ultrafast operando diffraction. Science 2021; 373:352-355. [PMID: 34437156 DOI: 10.1126/science.abc0652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the pathways and time scales underlying electrically driven insulator-metal transitions is crucial for uncovering the fundamental limits of device operation. Using stroboscopic electron diffraction, we perform synchronized time-resolved measurements of atomic motions and electronic transport in operating vanadium dioxide (VO2) switches. We discover an electrically triggered, isostructural state that forms transiently on microsecond time scales, which is shown by phase-field simulations to be stabilized by local heterogeneities and interfacial interactions between the equilibrium phases. This metastable phase is similar to that formed under photoexcitation within picoseconds, suggesting a universal transformation pathway. Our results establish electrical excitation as a route for uncovering nonequilibrium and metastable phases in correlated materials, opening avenues for engineering dynamical behavior in nanoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Sood
- Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. .,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xiaozhe Shen
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Yin Shi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Suhas Kumar
- Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Su Ji Park
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Marc Zajac
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yifei Sun
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Long-Qing Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Shriram Ramanathan
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Xijie Wang
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - William C Chueh
- Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aaron M Lindenberg
- Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. .,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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18
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Ascoli A, Tetzlaff R, Kang SMS, Chua L. System-Theoretic Methods for Designing Bio-Inspired Mem-Computing Memristor Cellular Nonlinear Networks. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2021.633026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of nano-memristors in electronics may allow to boost the performance of integrated circuits beyond the Moore era, especially in view of their extraordinary capability to process and store data in the very same physical volume. However, recurring to nonlinear system theory is absolutely necessary for the development of a systematic approach to memristive circuit design. In fact, the application of linear system-theoretic techniques is not suitable to explore thoroughly the rich dynamics of resistance switching memories, and designing circuits without a comprehensive picture of the nonlinear behaviour of these devices may lead to the realization of technical systems failing to operate as desired. Converting traditional circuits to memristive equivalents may require the adaptation of classical methods from nonlinear system theory. This paper extends the theory of time- and space-invariant standard cellular nonlinear networks with first-order processing elements for the case where a single non-volatile memristor is inserted in parallel to the capacitor in each cell. A novel nonlinear system-theoretic method allows to draw a comprehensive picture of the dynamical phenomena emerging in the memristive mem-computing array, beautifully illustrated in the so-called Primary Mosaic for the class of uncoupled memristor cellular nonlinear networks. Employing this new analysis tool it is possible to elucidate, with the support of illustrative examples, how to design variability-tolerant bio-inspired cellular nonlinear networks with second-order memristive cells for the execution of computing tasks or of memory operations. The capability of the class of memristor cellular nonlinear networks under focus to store and process information locally, without the need to insert additional memory units in each cell, may allow to increase considerably the spatial resolution of state-of-the-art purely CMOS sensor-processor arrays. This is of great appeal for edge computing applications, especially since the Internet-of-Things industry is currently calling for the realization of miniaturized, lightweight, low-power, and high-speed mem-computers with sensing capability on board.
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19
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Ascoli A, Demirkol AS, Tetzlaff R, Slesazeck S, Mikolajick T, Chua LO. On Local Activity and Edge of Chaos in a NaMLab Memristor. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:651452. [PMID: 33958985 PMCID: PMC8095322 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.651452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Local activity is the capability of a system to amplify infinitesimal fluctuations in energy. Complex phenomena, including the generation of action potentials in neuronal axon membranes, may never emerge in an open system unless some of its constitutive elements operate in a locally active regime. As a result, the recent discovery of solid-state volatile memory devices, which, biased through appropriate DC sources, may enter a local activity domain, and, most importantly, the associated stable yet excitable sub-domain, referred to as edge of chaos, which is where the seed of complexity is actually planted, is of great appeal to the neuromorphic engineering community. This paper applies fundamentals from the theory of local activity to an accurate model of a niobium oxide volatile resistance switching memory to derive the conditions necessary to bias the device in the local activity regime. This allows to partition the entire design parameter space into three domains, where the threshold switch is locally passive (LP), locally active but unstable, and both locally active and stable, respectively. The final part of the article is devoted to point out the extent by which the response of the volatile memristor to quasi-static excitations may differ from its dynamics under DC stress. Reporting experimental measurements, which validate the theoretical predictions, this work clearly demonstrates how invaluable is non-linear system theory for the acquirement of a comprehensive picture of the dynamics of highly non-linear devices, which is an essential prerequisite for a conscious and systematic approach to the design of robust neuromorphic electronics. Given that, as recently proved, the potassium and sodium ion channels in biological axon membranes are locally active memristors, the physical realization of novel artificial neural networks, capable to reproduce the functionalities of the human brain more closely than state-of-the-art purely CMOS hardware architectures, should not leave aside the adoption of resistance switching memories, which, under the appropriate provision of energy, are capable to amplify the small signal, such as the niobium dioxide micro-scale device from NaMLab, chosen as object of theoretical and experimental study in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alon Ascoli
- Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Institute of Circuits and Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Microelectronics, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Ahmet S Demirkol
- Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Institute of Circuits and Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ronald Tetzlaff
- Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Institute of Circuits and Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Microelectronics, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | | | - Thomas Mikolajick
- Nano-electronic Materials Laboratory gGmbH, Dresden, Germany.,Institute für Halbleiter- und Mikrosystemtechnik, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Leon O Chua
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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20
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Mutilin SV, Prinz VY, Yakovkina LV, Gutakovskii AK. Selective MOCVD synthesis of VO 2 crystals on nanosharp Si structures. CrystEngComm 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0ce01072c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
High-quality single VO2 nanocrystals and ordered arrays of VO2 nanorings were selectively synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) respectively on the tip apices and on the sidewall scallops.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor Ya. Prinz
- Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics SB RAS
- Novosibirsk
- Russia
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21
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Toomey E, Segall K, Castellani M, Colangelo M, Lynch N, Berggren KK. Superconducting Nanowire Spiking Element for Neural Networks. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:8059-8066. [PMID: 32965119 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c03057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As the limits of traditional von Neumann computing come into view, the brain's ability to communicate vast quantities of information using low-power spikes has become an increasing source of inspiration for alternative architectures. Key to the success of these largescale neural networks is a power-efficient spiking element that is scalable and easily interfaced with traditional control electronics. In this work, we present a spiking element fabricated from superconducting nanowires that has pulse energies on the order of ∼10 aJ. We demonstrate that the device reproduces essential characteristics of biological neurons, such as a refractory period and a firing threshold. Through simulations using experimentally measured device parameters, we show how nanowire-based networks may be used for inference in image recognition and that the probabilistic nature of nanowire switching may be exploited for modeling biological processes and for applications that rely on stochasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Toomey
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - K Segall
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York 13346, United States
| | - M Castellani
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - M Colangelo
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - N Lynch
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - K K Berggren
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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22
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Wu Q, Dang B, Lu C, Xu G, Yang G, Wang J, Chuai X, Lu N, Geng D, Wang H, Li L. Spike Encoding with Optic Sensory Neurons Enable a Pulse Coupled Neural Network for Ultraviolet Image Segmentation. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:8015-8023. [PMID: 33063511 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c02892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Drawing inspiration from biology, neuromorphic systems are of great interest in direct interaction and efficient processing of analogue signals in the real world and could be promising for the development of smart sensors. Here, we demonstrate an artificial sensory neuron consisting of an InGaZnO4 (IGZO4)-based optical sensor and NbOx-based oscillation neuron in series, which can simultaneously sense the optical information even beyond the visible light region and encode them into electrical impulses. Such artificial vision sensory neurons can convey visual information in a parallel manner analogous to biological vision systems, and the output spikes can be effectively processed by a pulse coupled neural network, demonstrating the capability of image segmentation out of a complex background. This study could facilitate the construction of artificial visual systems and pave the way for the development of light-driven neurorobotics, bioinspired optoelectronics, and neuromorphic computing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quantan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bingjie Dang
- Key Laboratory of Wide Band Gap Semiconductor Technology, School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices and Circuits (MOE), Institute of Microelectronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Congyan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guangwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guanhua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xichen Chuai
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nianduan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Di Geng
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Wide Band Gap Semiconductor Technology, School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| | - Ling Li
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronic Devices & Integrated Technology, Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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23
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Kumar S, Williams RS, Wang Z. Third-order nanocircuit elements for neuromorphic engineering. Nature 2020; 585:518-523. [PMID: 32968256 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2735-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Current hardware approaches to biomimetic or neuromorphic artificial intelligence rely on elaborate transistor circuits to simulate biological functions. However, these can instead be more faithfully emulated by higher-order circuit elements that naturally express neuromorphic nonlinear dynamics1-4. Generating neuromorphic action potentials in a circuit element theoretically requires a minimum of third-order complexity (for example, three dynamical electrophysical processes)5, but there have been few examples of second-order neuromorphic elements, and no previous demonstration of any isolated third-order element6-8. Using both experiments and modelling, here we show how multiple electrophysical processes-including Mott transition dynamics-form a nanoscale third-order circuit element. We demonstrate simple transistorless networks of third-order elements that perform Boolean operations and find analogue solutions to a computationally hard graph-partitioning problem. This work paves a way towards very compact and densely functional neuromorphic computing primitives, and energy-efficient validation of neuroscientific models.
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24
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Abstract
Machine learning imitates the basic features of biological neural networks at a software level. A strong effort is currently being made to mimic neurons and synapses with hardware components, an approach known as neuromorphic computing. While recent advances in resistive switching have provided a path to emulate synapses at the 10 nm scale, a scalable neuron analogue is yet to be found. Here, we show how heat transfer can be utilized to mimic neuron functionalities in Mott nanodevices. We use the Joule heating created by current spikes to trigger the insulator-to-metal transition in a biased VO2 nanogap. We show that thermal dynamics allow the implementation of the basic neuron functionalities: activity, leaky integrate-and-fire, volatility and rate coding. This approach could enable neuromorphic hardware to take full advantage of the rapid advances in memristive synapses, allowing for much denser and complex neural networks.
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