Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Hysteresis Inversion Driven by Polar-Order Competition in van der Waals Ferrielectric
Yinchang Ma1, Yuan Yan2, Tao Yang1
1Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
Researchers developed a polarity-reconfigurable memristor using CuCrP2S6. This novel device overcomes fixed polarity limitations, enabling flexible reconfiguration for advanced artificial intelligence hardware and complex neural networks.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Emerging artificial intelligence (AI) requires hardware capable of dynamic adaptation to computational demands.
- Current memristive technologies are limited by fixed polarity, restricting device flexibility for complex neural networks.
- This constraint hinders the development of adaptable and efficient AI hardware.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel memristor concept with reconfigurable polarity.
- To overcome the inherent limitations of fixed-polarity memristive devices.
- To enable flexible reconfiguration for advanced AI and neuromorphic computing.
Main Methods:
- Exploited polar-order competition in the van der Waals ferrielectric CuCrP2S6.
- Dynamically tuned the balance between antiferroelectric (AFE), ferrielectric (FiE), and ferroelectric (FE) states.
- Demonstrated reversible inversion of resistive hysteresis (clockwise and counter-clockwise modes).
Main Results:
- Introduced a polarity-reconfigurable memristor.
- Achieved reversible switching between clockwise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) resistive hysteresis modes.
- Enabled the same device to exhibit both potentiation- and depression-type synaptic plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Polar-order competition is an effective strategy for achieving intrinsic polarity reconfigurability.
- The developed memristor offers a pathway to flexible reconfiguration for memory and neuromorphic hardware.
- This breakthrough advances the development of adaptable AI systems.
Related Concept Videos
Ferromagnetism
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Potential Due to a Polarized Object
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
Woodward–Hoffmann Selection Rules and Microscopic Reversibility

