Memory resistors (memristors) and memory capacitors (memcapacitors) are circuit elements whose behavior depends on their prior history and are the result of different combinations of nonlinear electric responses. Currently, only a few examples of systems exhibiting neuromorphic memcapacitive behavior have been reported. Recently, biomimetic neuromorphic behavior has been demonstrated using the droplet interface bilayer (DIB) platform where chagnes to the oil phase influenced the memcapacitive response. Here, we advance our understanding of biomimetic neuromorphic based memcapacitors by determining how changes in the aqueous phase affects memcapacitive behavior. We find that by replacing only 25% of light water with heavy water largely reduces the system’s memcapacitance. Importantly, the addition of heavy water switches the memcapacitor from its dissipative state in light water to an active state. Unlike commonly used solid-state electronic circuits, biomimetic memcapacitive equivalents developed using biomolecules will enable tunable plasticity and diverse functionality not previously possible.

Heavy water influences the memcapacitive behavior of biomimetic membranes suitable for neuromorphic devices

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.