Bridging Biological and Artificial Neural Networks with Emerging Neuromorphic Devices: Fundamentals, Progress, and Challenges

Adv Mater. 2019 Dec;31(49):e1902761. doi: 10.1002/adma.201902761. Epub 2019 Sep 24.

Abstract

As the research on artificial intelligence booms, there is broad interest in brain-inspired computing using novel neuromorphic devices. The potential of various emerging materials and devices for neuromorphic computing has attracted extensive research efforts, leading to a large number of publications. Going forward, in order to better emulate the brain's functions, its relevant fundamentals, working mechanisms, and resultant behaviors need to be re-visited, better understood, and connected to electronics. A systematic overview of biological and artificial neural systems is given, along with their related critical mechanisms. Recent progress in neuromorphic devices is reviewed and, more importantly, the existing challenges are highlighted to hopefully shed light on future research directions.

Keywords: artificial neural systems; biological neural systems; brain-inspired computing; memristors; neural networks; neuromorphic devices.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetics / instrumentation*
  • Electronics / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Nerve Net / anatomy & histology
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neural Networks, Computer