Organic electrochemical neurons and synapses with ion mediated spiking

Traditional silicon-based neuromorphic devices have limitations in bio-integration due to poor biocompatibility, circuit complexity, and operational principles different from biological ion signal modulation. This paper introduces the first organic electrochemical neurons (OECNs) with ion-modulated spiking, based on all-printed complementary organic electrochemical transistors. These OECNs, successfully bio-integrated with a Venus Flytrap, induce lobe closure upon stimulation. Integration with all-printed organic electrochemical synapses (OECSs) demonstrates short-term plasticity (paired-pulse facilitation) and long-term plasticity (retention >1000 s), enabling Hebbian learning. Operating below 0.6 V and responding to multiple stimuli, these soft, flexible OECNs offer potential for localized artificial neuronal systems integrable with plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate bio-signaling systems.

Padinhare Chalakkal Harikesh, Chi-Yuan Yang, Deyu Tu, Jennifer Y. Gerasimov, Abdul Manan Dar, Adam Armada-Moreira, Matteo Massetti, Renee Kroon, David Bliman, Roger Olsson, Eleni Stavrinidou, Magnus Berggren, Simone Fabiano