A bioinspired neuromuscular system enabled by flexible electro-optical N2200 nanowire synaptic transistor

Abstract

Mimicking the functional traits of the muscle system evolves the development of the neuromorphic prosthetic limbs. Herein, a bioinspired neuromuscular system was constructed by connecting an information processor that uses a flexible electro-optical synaptic transistor (FNST) to an effector that uses artificial muscle fibers. In this system, the response of artificial muscle fibers, which imitate the movement of biological muscle fibers, is manipulated by neuromorphic synaptic devices. The FNST is regulated by light pulses and electrical spikes to emulate biological synaptic functions, and thereby applied in secure communication. The feasibility of n-type organic nanowires acting as the channels for neuromorphic devices was demonstrated. Attributing to the flexibility of the n-type organic semiconductor N2200 nanowires, the current of the FNST retains >85% of its initial value after the 5000 bending cycles to radius = 1 cm. The tolerance of bending of the FNST implies its potential applications in wearable electronics. This work offers an approach to potentially advancing electronic skin, neuro-controlled robots, and neuromorphic prosthetic limbs.

Keywords

• N2200 nanowires
• n-type organic semiconductor
• flexible electro-optical synaptic transistor
• synaptic plasticity
• bioinspired neuromuscular system