A nonconjugated radical polymer enables bimodal memory and in-sensor computing operation.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Organic memristive devices are promising for bio-realistic data storage and processing.
• Existing organic materials often rely on conjugated structures, posing synthetic and processing challenges.
• A gap exists in developing synthetic systems that mimic biological multimodal activation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the intrinsic multimodal memristivity of a stable, nonconjugated radical polymer.
• To demonstrate the polymer's capability for bio-realistic data storage and processing.
• To explore its application in advanced in-sensor computing systems.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of the intrinsic resistive switching behavior of the radical polymer.
• Demonstration of bimodal cooperative switching in response to proton accumulation.
• Integration of the material into an in-sensor computing system.

Main Results:

• The radical polymer exhibits exceptional memristive properties with state retention >10^5 s and an on/off ratio >10^6.
• Bimodal cooperative switching was successfully demonstrated, responding to biological proton input.
• The material was integrated into a functional in-sensor computing system.

Conclusions:

• A nonconjugated radical polymer with intrinsic memristivity and ambient stability has been developed.
• This material overcomes limitations of conjugated organic memristors, offering easier synthesis and processing.
• The polymer is directly applicable to future electronics, including data storage, neuromorphic computing, and in-sensor computing.