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A bioinspired photoelectrochemical synapse for neurotransmitter-mediated in-sensor computing
Bo-Han Kou1, Cheng Yuan1, Zi-Mo Han1
1State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|June 25, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a bioinspired photoelectrochemical (PEC) synapse for brain-inspired computing. It enables optical perception and glutamate biosensing for real-time, in-sensor processing and visuomorphic computing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Materials Science
- Emerging paradigms in artificial intelligence and computing
Background:
- Photoelectrochemistry (PEC) offers a novel approach for creating artificial synapses.
- Current systems lack integration of optical perception with neurotransmitter sensing for advanced computing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bioinspired PEC synapse capable of both optical perception and glutamate (Glu) biosensing.
- To enable visuomorphic in-sensor computing using real neurotransmitters.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a bioinspired PEC synapse.
- Integration of optical input and glutamate detection capabilities.
- Demonstration of short-term and spiking-dependent plasticity.
Main Results:
- Achieved Glu-tunable excitatory and inhibitory synaptic signals.
- Enabled a Glu-tunable convolutional kernel for in-sensor preprocessing.
- Successfully demonstrated PEC in-sensor processing and neurotransmitter-mediated visuomorphic computing.
Conclusions:
- The developed PEC synapse successfully emulates neurosynaptic functions.
- This work pioneers in-sensor processing and visuomorphic computing driven by real neurotransmitters.
- Opens new avenues for advanced artificial intelligence and neuromorphic engineering.
Related Concept Videos
02:47The 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.
01:26Chemical 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...
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...
01:26Chemical 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...
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...
01:28Electrical 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...
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...
01:09Synaptic Signaling
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
01:12Synaptic Signaling
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.