Mott neurons with dual thermal dynamics for spatiotemporal computing.

Heat dissipation is a natural consequence of operating any electronic system. In nearly all computing systems, such heat is usually minimized by design and cooling. Here, we show that the temporal dynamics of internally produced heat in electronic devices can be engineered to both encode information within a single device and process information across multiple devices. In our demonstration, electronic NbOx Mott neurons, integrated on a flexible organic substrate, exhibit 18 biomimetic neuronal behaviours and frequency-based nociception within a single component by exploiting both the thermal dynamics of the Mott transition and the dynamical thermal interactions with the organic substrate. Further, multiple interconnected Mott neurons spatiotemporally communicate purely via heat, which we use for graph optimization by consuming over 106 times less energy when compared with the best digital processors. Thus, exploiting natural thermal processes in computing can lead to functionally dense, energy-efficient and radically novel mixed-physics computing primitives.

Memristive Monte Carlo DropConnect crossbar array enabled by device and algorithm co-design.

Device and algorithm co-design aims to develop energy-efficient hardware that directly implements complex algorithms and optimizes algorithms to match the hardware's characteristics. Specifically, neuromorphic computing algorithms are constantly growing in complexity, necessitating an ongoing search for hardware implementations capable of handling these intricate algorithms. Here, we present a memristive Monte Carlo DropConnect (MC-DC) crossbar array developed through a hardware algorithm co-design approach. To implement the MC-DC neural network, stochastic switching and analog memory characteristics are required, and we achieved them using Ag-based diffusive selectors and Ru-based electrochemical metalization (ECM) memristors, respectively. The devices were integrated with a one-selector one-memristor (1S1M) structure, and their well-matched operating voltages and currents enabled stochastic readout and deterministic analog programming. With the integrated hardware, we successfully demonstrated the MC-DC operation. Additionally, the selector allowed for the control of switching polarity, and by understanding this hardware characteristic, we were able to modify the algorithm to fit it and further improve the network performance.

Threshold Modulative Artificial GABAergic Nociceptor.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a crucial inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. It modifies the signal threshold of the nociceptor, allowing it to react to external stimuli in various circumstances. Thus, GABAergic behaviors are critical characteristics of adaptive behavior in life. Here, a threshold-modulative artificial GABAergic nociceptor is reported for the first time at a Pt/Ti/Nb2 O5- x /Al2 O3- y /Pt/Ti (top to bottom) of the double charge trapping structure. The Al2 O3- y layer contains deep defect states that function similarly to the GABA neurotransmitter in modulating the signal threshold. Meanwhile, the Nb2 O5- x layer traps volatile charges and produces nociceptive behaviors. The combined dynamics of the two layers readily offer threshold-modulative GABAergic nociceptive behaviors. Based on these GABAergic behaviors, a method of implementing hot- and cold-sensitive thermoreceptors is demonstrated and shows its potential applications in advanced sensory devices.

Retention Secured Nonlinear and Self-Rectifying Analog Charge Trap Memristor for Energy-Efficient Neuromorphic Hardware.

A memristive crossbar array (MCA) is an ideal platform for emerging memory and neuromorphic hardware due to its high bitwise density capability. A charge trap memristor (CTM) is an attractive candidate for the memristor cell of the MCA, because the embodied rectifying characteristic frees it from the sneak current issue. Although the potential of the CTM devices has been suggested, their practical viability needs to be further proved. Here, a Pt/Ta2 O5 /Nb2 O5- x /Al2 O3- y /Ti CTM stack exhibiting high retention and array-level uniformity is proposed, allowing a highly reliable selector-less MCA. It shows high self-rectifying and nonlinear current-voltage characteristics below 1 µA of programming current with a continuous analog switching behavior. Also, its retention is longer than 105 s at 150 °C, suggesting the device is highly stable for non-volatile analog applications. A plausible band diagram model is proposed based on the electronic spectroscopy results and conduction mechanism analysis. The self-rectifying and nonlinear characteristics allow reducing the on-chip training energy consumption by 71% for the MNIST dataset training task with an optimized programming scheme.

Ternary Logic with Stateful Neural Networks Using a Bilayered TaOX -Based Memristor Exhibiting Ternary States.

A memristive stateful neural network allowing complete Boolean in-memory computing attracts high interest in future electronics. Various Boolean logic gates and functions demonstrated so far confirm their practical potential as an emerging computing device. However, spatio-temporal efficiency of the stateful logic is still too limited to replace conventional computing technologies. This study proposes a ternary-state memristor device (simply a ternary memristor) for application to ternary stateful logic. The ternary-state implementable memristor device is developed with bilayered tantalum oxide by precisely controlling the oxygen content in each oxide layer. The device can operate 157 ternary logic gates in one operational clock, which allows an experimental demonstration of a functionally complete three-valued Lukasiewicz logic system. An optimized logic cascading strategy with possible ternary gates is ≈20% more efficient than conventional binary stateful logic, suggesting it can be beneficial for higher performance in-memory computing.

High-Efficiency Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by an Ultrafast Room-Temperature Reactive Ion Etching Process.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which have surprisingly emerged in recent years, are now aiming at commercialization. Rapid, low-temperature, and continuous fabrication processes that can produce high-efficiency PSCs with a reduced fabrication cost and shortened energy payback time are important challenges on the way to commercialization. Herein, we report a reactive ion etching (RIE) method, which is an ultrafast room-temperature technique, to fabricate mesoporous TiO2 (mp-TiO2) as an electron transport layer for high-efficiency PSCs. Replacing the conventional high-temperature annealing process by RIE reduces the total processing time for fabricating 20 PSCs by 40%. Additionally, the RIE-processed mp-TiO2 exhibits enhanced electron extraction, whereupon the optimized RIE-mp-TiO2-based PSC exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.60% without J-V hysteresis, when the devices were optimized with a TiCl4 surface treatment process. Finally, a flexible PSC employing RIE-mp-TiO2 is demonstrated with 17.29% PCE. Considering that the RIE process has been actively used in the semiconductor industry, including for the fabrication of silicon photovoltaic modules, the process developed in this work could be easily applied toward faster, simpler, and cheaper manufacturing of PSC modules.

Photo-annealed amorphous titanium oxide for perovskite solar cells.

Electron selective layers are important to the efficiency, stability and hysteresis of perovskite solar cells. Photo-annealing is a low-cost, roll-to-roll-compatible process that can be applied to the post-treatment fabrication of sol-gel based metal oxide layers. Here, we fabricate an amorphous titanium oxide electron selective layer at a low temperature in a dry atmosphere using a UV light annealing system and compare it with a thermal annealing process. Active oxygen species are created by using UV light to promote hydrolysis and condense the TiO2 precursor, which removes organic ligands effectively. The photo-annealed TiO2-based perovskite solar cell has a power conversion efficiency of 19.37% without hysteresis.

Antisolvent with an Ultrawide Processing Window for the One-Step Fabrication of Efficient and Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells.

Photovoltaic technologies based on perovskite absorber materials have led this optoelectronic field into a brand-new horizon. However, the present antisolvents used in the one-step spin-coating method always encounter problems with the very narrow process window. Herein, anisole is introduced into the one-step spin-coating method, and the technology is developed to fabricate perovskite thin films with ultrawide processing window with a dimethylformamide (DMF):dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) ratio varying from 6:4 to 9:1 in the precursor solution, anisole dripping time ranging from 5 to 25 s, and an antisolvent volume varying from 0.1 to 0.9 mL. Perovskite thin films as large as 100 cm2 are successfully fabricated using this method. Maximum photoelectric conversion efficiencies of 19.76% for small-area (0.14 cm2 ) and 17.39% for large-area (1.08 cm2 ) perovskite solar cell devices are obtained. It is also found that there are intermolecular hydrogen-bonding forces between anisole and DMF/DMSO that play critical roles in the wide process window. These results provide a deeper understanding of the crystallizing procedure of perovskite during the one-step spin-coating process.

The combination of real-time PCR and HPLC for the identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

We used HPLC and AdvanSure real-time PCR (LG Life Sciences, Korea) to retrospectively analyze non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in 133 clinical specimens. The specimens were culture-positive for NTM and the HPLC method identified 130 strains of mycobacteria from the cultures (97.7%) at the species level. Among the isolates, 48 Mycobacterium. kansasii (36.1%), 39 M. intracellulare (29.3%), 17 M. avium (12.8%), 16 M. abscessus (12.0%), 6 M. fortuitum (4.5%), 2 M. szulgai (1.5%), 2 M. gordonae (1.5%), and 3 unclassified NTM strains (2.3%) were identified. The real-time PCR assay identified 60 NTM-positive specimens (45.1%), 65 negative specimens (48.9%), and 8 M. tuberculosis (TB)-positive specimens (6.0%). The real-time PCR assay is advantageous because of its rapid identification of NTM. However, in our study, the real-time PCR assay showed relatively low sensitivity (45.1%) when using direct specimens including sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. HPLC is useful as it discriminates NTM at the species level, although it is time-consuming and requires specific equipment and technical expertise. A combination of both methods will be helpful for the rapid and accurate identification of mycobacteria in clinical laboratories.

Lung infection caused by Mycobacterium riyadhense confused with Mycobacterium tuberculosis: the first case in Korea.

A slowly growing, non-chromogenic mycobacterial strain was isolated from sputum and bronchial lavage fluid samples of a patient presenting with productive cough, blood-tinged sputum, low-grade fever, and weakness. A positive acid-fast bacilli sputum smear result prompted the initiation of an anti-tuberculosis regimen. Multiplex real-time PCR showed a negative result for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and a positive result for nontuberculous mycobacteria. The DNA chip test confirmed this organism as a member of the genus Mycobacterium, but could not specify the species. Interestingly, the mycolic acid patterns obtained by HPLC nearly overlapped with those of M. simulans. The sequences of the Mycobacterium 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer region were unique and were found to have 100% similarity with those of M. riyadhense. After a review of the literature, we report this case as the first Korean case of M. riyadhense lung infection.