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The Synapse

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.

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Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
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Chemical Synapses

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
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Pyruvate Oxidation

Pyruvate Oxidation

After glycolysis, the charged pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria via active transport and undergo three enzymatic reactions. These reactions ensure that pyruvate can enter the next metabolic pathway so that energy stored in the pyruvate molecules can be harnessed by the cells.
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Fabrication of Nano-engineered Transparent Conducting Oxides by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Fabrication of Nano-engineered Transparent Conducting Oxides by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Published on: February 27, 2013

All-Oxide-Based Highly Transparent Photonic Synapse for Neuromorphic Computing.

Mohit Kumar, Sohail Abbas, Joondong Kim

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|September 13, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study demonstrates a novel photonic artificial synapse using an all-oxide transparent device. This breakthrough enables low-energy neuromorphic computing by modulating current with optical stimuli, paving the way for cost-effective synaptic behavior.

Keywords:

all-oxide charge trapping/detrapping photonic synapse photoresponse transparent

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Last Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Fabrication of Nano-engineered Transparent Conducting Oxides by Pulsed Laser Deposition

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Published on: February 27, 2013

Patterning Cells on Optically Transparent Indium Tin Oxide Electrodes

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Published on: August 20, 2007

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Neuroscience
Optoelectronics

Background:

Neuromorphic systems require efficient information processing with low energy consumption.
Photonic artificial synapses offer a promising avenue for achieving this efficiency.
Existing technologies face challenges in transparency and low-cost fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate a highly transparent, all-oxide photonic artificial synapse.
To investigate the synaptic behaviors induced by ultraviolet illumination.
To explore the potential for optical modulation of current in synaptic devices.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of an In2O3/ZnO thin film device on a fluorine-doped tin oxide/glass substrate.
Characterization of current-voltage (I-V) properties to identify charge trapping/detrapping mechanisms.
Experimental confirmation of ultraviolet illumination-induced short-term/long-term plasticity and paired-pulse facilitation.
Implementation of photonic potentiation and electrical habituation.

Main Results:

The device exhibited a distinct loop opening in its I-V characteristics, attributed to charge trapping and detrapping.
Versatile synaptic plasticity, including short-term and long-term plasticity, was confirmed under ultraviolet illumination.
Paired-pulse facilitation was successfully demonstrated, mimicking biological synapse behavior.
Photonic potentiation and electrical habituation were successfully implemented, showcasing optical control capabilities.

Conclusions:

The developed all-oxide photonic artificial synapse shows promise for low-energy neuromorphic computing.
Optical stimuli can effectively modulate device behavior, mimicking synaptic functions.
This research represents a fundamental step towards realizing low-cost, optically controlled synaptic devices.