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Organic synaptic transistors for flexible and stretchable artificial sensory nerves

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Abstract

This article reviews artificial nerve electronics (nervetronics), an emerging field in which the goal is to develop bioinspired electronics that implement biological sensory functions. An artificial synapse is a fundamental core technology of artificial sensory nerves that can emulate functional properties of a biological synapse. Use of artificial synapses reduces the energy consumption and increases the sensitivity of low-level perception in artificial sensory nerves. Wearable and implantable devices require artificial sensory nerves that are flexible and stretchable. Therefore, development of organic artificial synapses that have these qualities is a central focus in nervetronics. Here, we review the concept and mechanism of organic artificial synapses for use as basic elements of flexible and stretchable artificial nerves. Next, we outline the research direction of the flexible and stretchable artificial sensory nerves so far, and finally, identify challenges of artificial sensory nerves that must be solved to enable actual application of this developing technology.

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Figure 1
Figure 2

© 2019 Elsevier. (d) Formation of electrical double layer during ([i]) no bias, ([ii]) bias applied, ([iii]) bias removed. (e) Ion penetration to semiconductors during ([i]) no bias, ([ii]) bias applied, ([iii]) bias removed. Draw under assumption of p-type semiconductors.

Figure 3
Figure 4

© 2018 AAAS.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grant funded by the Korea Government (Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning) (NRF-2016R1A3B1908431). This work was also supported by the Creative-Pioneering Researchers Program through Seoul National University (SNU).

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  1. These authors contributed equally to this article.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Dae-Gyo Seo, Gyeong-Tak Go & Hea-Lim Park

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Engineering Research, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Nano Systems Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Tae-Woo Lee

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Seo, DG., Go, GT., Park, HL. et al. Organic synaptic transistors for flexible and stretchable artificial sensory nerves. MRS Bulletin 46, 321–329 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-021-00093-5

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