Neuromorphic liquids, colloids, and gels: a review

Abstract

Advances in flexible electronic devices and robotic software require that sensors and controllers be virtually devoid of traditional electronic components, be deformable and stretch resistant. Liquid electronic devices that mimic biological synapses would make an ideal core component for flexible liquid circuits. This is due to their unbeatable features such as flexibility, reconfiguration, and fault tolerance. To mimic synaptic functions in fluids we need to imitate dynamics and complexity similar to those that occur in living systems. Mimicking ionic movements are considered the simplest platform for the implementation of neuromorphic in material computing systems. We overview a series of experimental laboratory prototypes where neuromorphic systems are implemented in liquids, colloids, and gels.