journal article·2026-04Open access

Ion‐Doped Nanofluidic Memristors: A Platform for Tunable Synaptic Emulation

Zhiwei Liu, Guoheng Xu, Binbo Li, Yaohui Gu, Yuhui Hu, Fangfang Xu, Bo Wang, Zhengguo Hu, Jinglai Duan

Small· Volume 22· Issue 23

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nanofluidic ionic memristors have garnered considerable attention for their operational principles that emulate biological synapses, positioning them as promising candidates for neuromorphic systems. However, simultaneously achieving non‐volatility and function‐tunability in ionic memristors remains a significant challenge. Here, we demonstrate the successful emulation of key neuromorphic functions, including neural activation and synaptic plasticity, using a nanofluidic memristor integrated with sub‐nanometer (sub‐nm) channels within ion‐track membranes. Unlike unipolar resistive switching, which is predominantly driven by concentration polarization in symmetric ion solution system, we demonstrate a reversible transport switching mechanism, triggered by multivalent ions (e.g., Ca 2+ and La 3+ ), that toggles between fast and slow modes. This mechanism induces a transition to bipolar resistive switching, significantly enhancing the device's non‐volatility while preserving its reversibility. Furthermore, the memristive response can be effectively tuned by varying the doping concentration and external voltage. These findings provide new insights and design strategies for developing tunable bio‐synapse emulation platforms operating in ionic aqueous media.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Memory and Neural Computing · Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies · Advanced battery technologies research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Science and Technology Institute of Modern Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou China

Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory Huizhou China

School of Nuclear Science and Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China

Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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