Project

Redox-Controlled Resistive Switching in Hybrid Metal-Organic Thin Films towards Neuromorphic Computing

Acronym
RESWITCH
Code
41B04519
Duration
01 April 2019 → 31 March 2021
Funding
European funding: framework programme
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Nanophysics and nanosystems
    • Surfaces, interfaces, 2D materials
    • Solid state chemistry
  • Engineering and technology
    • Other computer engineering, information technology and mathematical engineering not elsewhere classified
Keywords
neuromorphic computing Thin Films Atomic Layer Deposition
Other information
 
Project description

Cognitive computing has brought about the possibility of computer programs with ability to learn by recognizing patterns in data and to make predictions on the learned dependencies by mimicking the operation of the human brain. However, their energy efficiency is still orders of magnitude below the biological counterpart as the current linear Boolean logic is ill-suited for the simulation of the huge arrays of interconnected neurons. Neuromorphic computing aims to greatly improve the efficiency by emulating the synaptic functionality and interconnectivity on the hardware level. In biological neural networks, communication between neurons is facilitated by synapses that modulate the signal through changes in the synaptic weight. The time-variability of these operations is thought to allow the single node to both process and store information.

RESWITCH seeks to emulate this synaptic plasticity by exploiting the coupled ionic/electronic transport in redox-active hybrid metal-organic coordination polymer thin films. As in fully organic conjugated polymers, the electronic conductivity can be modulated electrochemically with dynamic operation arising from the concurrent counter-ion motion. The interplay of the metal and organic constituents allows for precise control of the electric/electrochemical properties, but poor processability limits their applicability for nanotechnology applications. In RESWITCH, a new thin film-based approach is implemented with Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD). A library of MLD processes for high-quality, ultra-thin films of redox-active and electrically conductive materials will be established. The thin film approach allows for detailed exploration on the contribution of the metal and organic components to the redox-properties and conductivity. The ultimate target is to implement the thin films in a novel bilayer this film device in which the conductance can be controlled dynamically with electrochemical doping of the adjacent layers.

 
Role of Ghent University
In this project Ghent University is the beneficiary organization. The postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Mikko Nisula, is hosted by the research group CoCooN lead by prof. Christophe Detavernier
 
 
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the authority can be held responsible for them.