Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

3.3K
A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....
3.3K
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

1.4K
Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
1.4K
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

2.1K
Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...
2.1K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

3.3K
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...
3.3K
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

8.9K
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...
8.9K
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

6.7K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
6.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Diameter-dependent multiple proton jumps dictate hydronium and hydroxide transport in carbon nanotubes.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2026
Same author

Rare earth ion transport and selectivity in large diameter nanotube porins.

Faraday discussions·2026
Same author

Knowledge gaps for neuromorphic ionic computing.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Synaptic Functionality and Neuromorphic Information Processing in Membrane Ion Channel Junctions.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026
Same author

Dynamic control of molecular transport in MXene transistor membranes.

Science advances·2025
Same author

Ion Transport in Self-Assembled Peptoid Membranes with Carbon Nanotube Porin Channels.

Nano letters·2025
Same journal

Taphonomic analysis at Liang Bua reveals the behavioral and technological capabilities of <i>Homo floresiensis</i>.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Targeting granule initiation and amyloplast structure to create giant starch granules in wheat.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

A meta-analysis of carbon losses and gains from tropical moist forest degradation and regeneration.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Ancient DNA reveals elite dynastic rule among Iron Age Eurasian Steppe nomads.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Targeting astrocytic Dp71 attenuates BBB disruption after traumatic brain injury through WTAP-associated m<sup>6</sup>A regulation of MMP2.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Pancreatic α cells are required for nutrient homeostasis by regulating dynamic β cell networks in islets.

Science advances·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Assembly and Characterization of Biomolecular Memristors Consisting of Ion Channel-doped Lipid Membranes
08:07

Assembly and Characterization of Biomolecular Memristors Consisting of Ion Channel-doped Lipid Membranes

Published on: March 9, 2019

7.9K

Neuromorphic ionic computing in droplet interface synapses.

Zhongwu Li1, Sydney K Myers1, Jingyi Xiao2

  • 1Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.

Science Advances
|July 23, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed an ionic spiking synapse using droplet interface bilayers, demonstrating key neuromorphic computing functions. This ionic device shows promise for advanced computing and biomedical applications.

More Related Videos

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer
10:11

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer

Published on: April 19, 2021

3.8K
Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics
07:57

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics

Published on: November 10, 2014

8.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Assembly and Characterization of Biomolecular Memristors Consisting of Ion Channel-doped Lipid Membranes
08:07

Assembly and Characterization of Biomolecular Memristors Consisting of Ion Channel-doped Lipid Membranes

Published on: March 9, 2019

7.9K
Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer
10:11

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer

Published on: April 19, 2021

3.8K
Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics
07:57

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics

Published on: November 10, 2014

8.0K

Area of Science:

  • Neuromorphic Engineering
  • Biomimetic Electronics
  • Ionics and Soft Matter

Background:

  • Ionic devices offer potential for emulating neural functions, crucial for neuromorphic computing and biomedical applications.
  • Spiking synapses are fundamental components for mimicking biological neural networks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a novel ionic spiking synapse based on aqueous droplet interface bilayer assembly.
  • To investigate the memcapacitive-memristive behavior and ion dynamics of the droplet interface synapse (DIS).
  • To demonstrate the neuromorphic capabilities and learning algorithms implemented using DIS.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of an ionic spiking synapse using aqueous droplet interface bilayer assembly.
  • Characterization of the device's electrical properties, including coupled memcapacitive-memristive behavior and hysteretic I-V loops.
  • Implementation of reservoir computing with DIS for pattern recognition and game learning algorithms.

Main Results:

  • The DIS exhibited coupled memcapacitive-memristive behavior with noncrossing pinched hysteretic I-V loops.
  • Hysteric ion dynamics were tunable by altering bilayer components, protein channels, or droplet configuration.
  • The DIS demonstrated fundamental neuromorphic behaviors like paired-pulse plasticity, Hebbian learning, and associative learning.
  • Successful implementation of handwritten digit recognition and tic-tac-toe game learning using reservoir computing with DIS.

Conclusions:

  • The developed ionic spiking synapse based on droplet interface bilayers effectively emulates neural functionality.
  • The tunable ion dynamics and demonstrated neuromorphic behaviors highlight the potential of DIS for advanced computing.
  • This work paves the way for developing sophisticated neuromorphic systems and bio-integrated devices.