Publication in PRL

My first publication "Iontronic Neuromorphic Signaling with Conical Microfluidic Memristors" is published in Physical Review Letters and can be found here. The co-authors and I combine tools from theoretical physics, mathematics and (computational) neuroscience to take a new step in emulating a small element from the most complex structure in the universe, our brains. The human brain's extraordinary ability to efficiently solve complex tasks has inspired researchers to reproduce some of its enigmatic capabilities, mostly using conventional solid materials. However, the neurons in our brains rely on transport of charged particles (ions) and molecules in water for their communication. Venturing beyond conventional platforms, we theoretically investigate ion transport in water through artificial channels and show that neuronal signalling can emerge when experimentally readily available cone-shaped ion channels assume the role of the biological ion channels found in neurons. By leveraging the underlying physical equations, we elucidate the mechanism inside each individual channel and also reveal why characteristic brain-like features, such as action potentials and spike trains, manifest in a fluidic circuit of three conical ion channels and a capacitor. This aqueous medium holds a unique potential for faithfully emulating the brain's agile neurons by enabling chemical reactions and facilitating the parallel transport of multiple types of ions. Our research opens up new avenues for advancing fluidic brain-inspired devices, providing a platform that more closely emulates the brain's intricate aqueous processes.