Flexible ionic-gel synapse devices and their applications in neuromorphic system

Abstract

Biological neural systems, composed of neurons and synaptic networks, exhibit exceptional capabilities in signal transmission, processing, and integration. Inspired by the mechanisms of these systems, researchers have been dedicated to developing artificial neural systems based on flexible synaptic devices that effectively mimic the functions of biological synapses, providing hardware support for the advancement of artificial intelligence. In recent years, ionic gels, known for their high ionic conductivity and intuitive synaptic mimicry, have been utilized in the development of ionic-gel synapses (IGSs). They are considered ideal materials for the next wearable generation of neuromorphic systems. This review introduces IGS devices and summarizes the recent progress in flexible IGS-based neuromorphic systems. Additionally, key challenges and future development prospects related to flexible IGSs are outlined, and potential suggestions are provided.