Noncytotoxic WORM Memory Using Lysozyme with Ultrahigh Stability for Transient and Sustainable Electronics...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Sustainable Electronics

Background:

• Growing demand for high-density data storage necessitates alternatives to silicon-based electronics.
• Electronic waste (e-waste) poses environmental challenges, driving research into sustainable and biocompatible devices.
• Transient electronics offer a solution by degrading harmlessly after use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and investigate a resistive switching (RS) memory device utilizing a biocompatible protein, lysozyme (Lyso).
• To evaluate the transient and WORM (Write-Once-Read-Many) memory characteristics of the Au/Lyso/ITO device.
• To assess the device's environmental impact, including biodegradability and cytotoxicity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an RS memory device with a structure of Gold/Lysozyme/Indium Tin Oxide (Au/Lyso/ITO).
• Characterization of the device's WORM memory behavior, including memory window, data retention, and stability.
• Analysis of transient properties through dissolution in warm water.
• Cytotoxicity testing using *S. aureus* and *P. aeruginosa* bacteria.

Main Results:

• The Au/Lyso/ITO device exhibited robust WORM memory behavior with a high memory window (2.78 × 10^2) and excellent data retention (300 min).
• The device demonstrated remarkable stability, with experimental endurance exceeding 700 days (extrapolated to 3000 days) and a device yield of ~73.8%.
• The device showed transient behavior, completely disappearing within 10 seconds in warm water, and exhibited no biocidal effects on tested bacteria.

Conclusions:

• Lysozyme-based WORM memory devices offer a promising, sustainable alternative to conventional electronics.
• The biocompatibility and transient nature of these devices address critical e-waste and environmental concerns.
• This research paves the way for eco-friendly transient electronic memory applications.