Multi-terminal Neuromorphic Device Using Phase Change Memristor

Solution Overview

Problem

Current neuromorphic hardware struggles to simulate fully functional synapse and neuron networks due to limited neural dynamics modeling options, requiring additional materials that complicate manufacturing and decrease operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A neuromorphic memory element comprising a memristor with a memristive active channel made of phase change material, where the active channel and phase change material are identical, eliminating the need for a projection layer and enabling better emulation of synaptic and neuronal dynamics through gate-level modulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional materials are used to simulate fully functional synapse and neuron networks, then neural dynamics modeling capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural dynamics modeling capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phase change material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the memristive active channel and the projection layer in neuromorphic devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate materials for each function, thereby maintaining full neural dynamics modeling capability while reducing device complexity and manufacturing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the memristive active channel and projection layer into a single phase change material layer. This consolidation integrates multiple functional components into one material, reducing the number of material layers from two to one, and simplifying the overall device structure while preserving synaptic and neuronal dynamics emulation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional materials are used to simulate fully functional synapse and neuron networks, then neural dynamics modeling capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural dynamics modeling capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the memristive active channel and projection layer into a single phase change material layer. This consolidation integrates multiple functional components into one material, reducing the number of material layers from two to one, and simplifying the overall device structure while preserving synaptic and neuronal dynamics emulation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The phase change material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the memristive active channel and the projection layer in neuromorphic devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate materials for each function, thereby maintaining full neural dynamics modeling capability while reducing device complexity and manufacturing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional materials are used to simulate fully functional synapse and neuron networks, then neural dynamics modeling capability is improved, but energy expenditure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural dynamics modeling capabilityVSAvoidenergy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the memristive active channel and projection layer into a single phase change material layer. This consolidation integrates multiple functional components into one material, reducing the number of material layers from two to one, and simplifying the overall device structure while preserving synaptic and neuronal dynamics emulation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The phase change material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the memristive active channel and the projection layer in neuromorphic devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate materials for each function, thereby maintaining full neural dynamics modeling capability while reducing device complexity and manufacturing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances operational efficiency, reduces material and labor costs, and improves energy expenditure by allowing for more natural behavior of artificial neural networks, effectively emulating both short-term and long-term plasticity and neural dynamics.

Implementation Method 1

a memristive active channel (108) comprising a phase change material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

The control signal voltage at the control signal terminal is configured to represent volatile biological neural processes of the neuromorphic memory element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatile biological neural processes emulation:

Implementation Method 3

a bias voltage between the input signal terminal and the output signal terminal may be configured to represent non-volatile biological neural processes of the neuromorphic memory element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-volatile biological neural processes emulation:

Data Source

PatentUS11397544B2Multi-terminal neuromorphic device

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A neuromorphic memory element comprises a memristor, a plurality of the neuromorphic memory elements and a method for operating the same may be provided. The memristor comprises an input signal terminal, an output signal terminal, and a control signal terminal, and a memristive active channel comprising a phase change material. The memristive active channel extends longitudinal between the input signal terminal and the output signal terminal, and a control signal voltage at the control signal terminal is configured to represent volatile biological neural processes of the neuromorphic memory element, and a bias voltage between the input signal terminal and the output signal terminal is configured to represent non-volatile biological neural processes of the neuromorphic memory element.