Researchers at Monash University have developed a groundbreaking nanofluidic chip that emulates the memory pathways of the human brain. This innovation, which measures approximately the size of a coin, utilizes a specially engineered metal-organic framework (MOF) to channel ions through minuscule pathways. This design replicates the on/off switching mechanism found in traditional electronic transistors while introducing a novel capability: the ability to “remember” previous signals.
The chip’s co-lead author, Professor Huanting Wang, who serves as the Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, emphasized the significance of this advancement in engineered nanoporous materials. “For the first time, we’ve observed saturation nonlinear conduction of protons in a nanofluidic device. This opens up new opportunities for designing iontronic systems with memory and even learning capabilities,” he stated.
Professor Wang indicated that if researchers can refine materials like MOFs to just a few nanometers in thickness, it could lead to the creation of advanced fluidic chips that might overcome some limitations faced by current electronic chips.
Innovative Design Mimics Neural Functionality
To demonstrate the chip’s capabilities, the research team constructed a small fluid circuit featuring multiple MOF channels. The chip’s response to variations in voltage mirrored the behavior of electronic transistors while simultaneously exhibiting memory effects. These features could pave the way for advancements in liquid-based data storage and brain-inspired computing systems.
Co-lead author Dr. Jun Lu, currently a visiting scholar at the University of California, described this development as a significant leap towards creating computers that operate more like humans, utilizing liquid circuits instead of solid ones. “Our chip can selectively control the flow of protons and metal ions, and it remembers previous voltage changes, giving it a form of short-term memory,” he explained.
Dr. Lu highlighted the chip’s unique hierarchical structure, which enables it to manage protons and metal ions in entirely different manners. “This kind of selective, nonlinear ion transport hasn’t been seen before in nanofluidics,” he added.
The research findings have been documented in a paper that is accessible for further reading, providing insights into the study’s methodologies and implications.
For media inquiries, Courtney Karayannis, Media and Communications Manager at Monash University, can be contacted at +61 408 508 454 or via email at [email protected]. General media inquiries can be directed to Monash Media at +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected].
As researchers continue to explore the implications of this innovative technology, it may herald a new era in computing, bridging the gap between biological intelligence and artificial systems.
