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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.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...

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.

Electrical Synapses

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.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Gold Nanorod-assisted Optical Stimulation of Neuronal Cells

Gold Nanorod-assisted Optical Stimulation of Neuronal Cells

Published on: April 27, 2015

A Diffusive Artificial Synapse Based on Charged Metal Nanoparticles.

Jiahui Guo^1,2,3, Lin Liu^1,2, Jingyu Wang^1,2

¹CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.

|February 5, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a diffusive memristor using gold nanoparticles, mimicking biological calcium dynamics. This energy-efficient artificial synapse demonstrates tunable conductance and implements key synaptic functions for edge extraction applications.

Keywords:

artificial synapse counterion relaxation dynamics diffusive memristor edge extraction metal nanoparticles

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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Gold Nanorod-assisted Optical Stimulation of Neuronal Cells

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Colloidal Synthesis of Nanopatch Antennas for Applications in Plasmonics and Nanophotonics

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Published on: May 28, 2016

Fabrication of Magnetic Platforms for Micron-Scale Organization of Interconnected Neurons

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Published on: July 14, 2021

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Neuroscience

Background:

Developing artificial synapses is crucial for neuromorphic computing.
Existing memristors often lack analogue switching or energy efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate a diffusive memristor with analogue switching characteristics using functionalized gold nanoparticles.
To implement synaptic functions and edge extraction using this novel device.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a gold nanoparticle layer functionalized with charged self-assembled monolayers.
Utilizing mobile counterions for diffusive memristive behavior.
Characterizing resistive switching and synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

Achieved analogue switching in a metal nanoparticle diffusive memristor.
Demonstrated set-step free operation, energy efficiency, and mechanical flexibility.
Successfully implemented potentiation/depression, various plasticity types, and paired-pulse facilitation.
Utilized paired-pulse facilitation for effective edge extraction.

Conclusions:

Functionalized gold nanoparticles offer a promising platform for diffusive memristors.
The developed artificial synapse mimics bio-Ca2+ dynamics and performs complex synaptic functions.
This technology shows potential for efficient edge extraction in neuromorphic systems.