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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:07
Assembly and Characterization of Biomolecular Memristors Consisting of Ion Channel-doped Lipid Membranes
Published on: March 9, 2019
Molecularly Engineered Wing-Shaped Azobenzene Memristors for Logic-in-Memory and Edge Visual Intelligence
Yanze Liu1,2, Tao Han3, Jiahui Ding1,2
1MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Applications, Shanghai University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
We developed novel organic molecular resistive memory devices using azobenzene-based molecules. These devices exhibit tunable memory behaviors and demonstrate potential for advanced neuromorphic computing and in-memory logic operations.
Area of Science:
- Organic electronics
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The von Neumann bottleneck limits computing efficiency.
- Organic molecular resistive memory offers a potential solution.
- Azobenzene-based molecules are explored for memristive applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and investigate novel azobenzene-based small molecules for memristive applications.
- To explore the relationship between molecular structure and memory characteristics.
- To demonstrate the potential of these materials for in-memory computing and neuromorphic architectures.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of four symmetric azobenzene-based small molecules with diverse terminal substituents.
- Fabrication and characterization of resistive memory devices.
- Investigation of nonvolatile memory behaviors (WORM, bipolar resistive memory).
- Mechanistic studies involving charge-transfer and conformational changes.
- Evaluation of synaptic functions and logic-in-memory operations.
- Application demonstration in CNN-based image edge detection.
Main Results:
- Tunable nonvolatile memory behaviors (ternary/binary WORM, bipolar) achieved by modifying terminal groups.
- Devices exhibit high ON/OFF ratios, low operating voltages, and excellent stability.
- Charge-transfer-induced conformational changes dictate memory characteristics.
- Demonstrated continuous conductance tunability and essential synaptic functions (EPSC, PPF, LTP/LTD).
- Successfully implemented logic gates (OR, AND, XOR, NAND) and adder circuits.
- Validated applicability for in-memory computing via CNN-based image edge detection.
Conclusions:
- Azobenzene-based small molecules provide a versatile platform for advanced organic resistive memory.
- Molecular design enables tunable memory characteristics and synaptic functions.
- These materials show significant promise for next-generation organic neuromorphic architectures and in-memory computing.
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