CNR researchers develop artificial synapses mimicking brain learning and forgetting

An international research team, coordinated by the National Research Council’s Nanotechnology Institute (CNR-Nanotec) in Rome, has developed organic artificial synapses that mimic the biological functions of human neurons. The study, published in Communications Materials, utilizes a new class of polymers capable of simultaneously transporting electrical charges (electrons) and biological signals (ions).

By chemically regulating the properties of these polymers, researchers created functional junctions that can interact directly with dopamine, the neurotransmitter involved in learning processes. A key breakthrough of this technology is its ability to reproduce both learning and forgetting, a fundamental neurological function.

Developed in collaboration with Northwestern University in the United States, the system uses a three-polymer composition (PEDOT:PSS:Nafion). This approach allows for eight different states to modulate the speed and timing of synaptic decay, potentially paving the way for ultra-fast, low-energy neuromorphic chips for artificial intelligence.