On November 21st, a thought-provoking lecture titled “The Basics and Future of Synaptic Devices and Artificial Neurons for Neuromorphic Electronics” was delivered by Prof. Benjamin, IEEE Fellow, from the University Rovira i Virgili. The event, hosted by Prof. Mike Schwarz and Prof. Alexander Kloes from the Competence Center for Nanotechnology and Photonics (NanoP) at THM – University of Applied Sciences, Germany, attracted a diverse group of 20 attendees, including researchers and students eager to explore the exciting potential of neuromorphic technologies.

During the lecture, Prof. Iniguez began by providing an introduction to the fundamentals of neuromorphic electronics, focusing on how these devices are designed to mimic the behavior of biological neural systems. He discussed the significance of artificial neurons and synaptic devices in replicating the functions of the human brain, and how this technology is laying the groundwork for more efficient computing systems that could revolutionize industries such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine learning.

Prof. Iniguez started with fundamental basics. At its core, neuromorphic electronics seeks to replicate the fundamental characteristics of biological brains in a silicon-based system or beyond. This includes using synaptic devices and artificial neurons to create a computational framework that mimics human cognition.

In the lecture, Prof. Iniguez explored the evolution of neuromorphic electronics. The development of synaptic devices and artificial neurons can be traced back to efforts to improve the efficiency of computational systems. Early attempts to replicate brain functions relied heavily on software models, but these systems struggled with scalability and energy efficiency. Over time, researchers turned to hardware solutions, where the challenge became creating circuits and devices that could closely mimic the adaptive and energy-efficient nature of biological neurons.

Prof. Iniguez highlighted the first breakthroughs in neuromorphic electronics, such as the development of memristors—devices that can store and process information in a way similar to how biological synapses work. Memristors have played a significant role in advancing neuromorphic systems because of their ability to store memory and process data in the same unit, eliminating the need for separate storage and computation devices.

From there, the lecture moved on to discuss the importance of advanced materials in the development of synaptic devices. Researchers have been exploring the use of organic materials, two-dimensional materials, and even quantum dots to enhance the performance of these devices. These materials not only promise improved performance but also contribute to making neuromorphic electronics more adaptable and energy-efficient.

With synaptic devices and artificial neurons forming the foundation of neuromorphic computing, Prof. Iniguez provided an overview of their real-world applications, focusing on areas where these technologies are poised to make a significant impact.

While the potential of neuromorphic electronics is vast, Prof. Iniguez also emphasized the challenges that remain in advancing these technologies. Despite the challenges, Prof. Iniguez  remains optimistic about the future of neuromorphic electronics.

The lecture concluded with a glimpse into the future, where neuromorphic devices and artificial neurons could revolutionize fields from AI and robotics to healthcare and beyond.