Stretchable hierarchical metal wire networks for neuromorphic emulation of nociception and anti-nociception.

Among biomimetic technologies, the incorporation of sensory hardware holds exceptional utility in human-machine interfacing. In this context, devices receptive to nociception and emulating antinociception gain significance as part of pain management. Here we report, a stretchable two-terminal resistive neuromorphic device consisting of a hierarchical Ag microwire network formed using a crack templating protocol. The device demonstrates sensitivity to strain, where the application of strain induces the formation of gaps across active elements, rendering the device electrically open. Following activation by voltage pulses, the device exhibits potentiated states with finite retentions arising from filamentary growth across these gaps due to field migration. Remarkably, the strain-induced functioning alongside controllable gaps enables achieving user-controlled neuromorphic properties, desired for self-adaptive intelligent systems. Interestingly, in the neuromorphic potentiated state, the response to strain is enhanced by ∼10⁶ due to higher sensitivities associated with nanofilaments. The device emulates basic neuromorphic functionalities such as threshold switching, and short-term (STP) and long-term potentiations (LTP). Furthermore, the sensitivity has been exploited in mimicking nociception through strain-induced changes in the potentiated state. Interestingly, repetition of the strain stimulus leads to endurance making the device restore its conductance, thereby emulating adaptation and habituation representing the antinociceptive behavior.