Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have developed groundbreaking molecular electronic devices that mimic the human brain's functions. This new technology can perform multiple computing roles within the same material, offering a significant leap for artificial intelligence (AI) and computing beyond current silicon limits. The breakthrough, published in the journal Nature in September 2024, introduces devices capable of storing and processing data in an astonishing 16,500 conductance states. This far surpasses the binary (0 and 1) states of traditional digital systems, paving the way for faster and more energy-efficient AI tools.[healthbuzz+7]
How the Technology Works
The IISc team, led by Assistant Professor Sreetosh Goswami at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), engineered these ruthenium-based molecular complexes. These complexes form thin films that can dynamically adapt their behavior based on electrical inputs. A single molecular device can function as a memory unit, a logic gate, an analog processor, or even an artificial synapse that learns and forgets.This adaptability directly addresses a major challenge in neuromorphic computing, where memory and computation are usually kept separate, unlike the brain's integrated approach.[healthbuzz+5]
Researchers created 17 variants of these molecular complexes. They carefully adjusted chemical ligands and surrounding ions to control how electrons and ions move through the thin films.This fine-tuning allowed the devices to exhibit a wide range of behaviors, from sharp digital switching to smooth, multi-level analog responses.Pallavi Gaur, a PhD student and the study's first author, was instrumental in fabricating and testing these innovative devices.The molecular synthesis work was carried out by Pradip Ghosh and Santi Prasad Rath.[healthbuzz+9]
Unlocking Brain-Like Capabilities
The core of this innovation lies in its ability to mimic brain synapses, allowing for learning and forgetting capabilities.Unlike conventional digital platforms that rely on just two states (on or off), this new molecular film offers 16,500 distinct conductance states.This enables the system to store and process data in the same location, much like the human brain.This integrated approach makes the platform significantly faster and more energy-efficient than current digital computers.[healthbuzz+15]
For example, performing a 64x64 matrix multiplication, a fundamental operation in AI algorithms, takes a digital computer 262,144 operations. The new IISc molecular system can complete the same task in just 64 steps.This dramatic reduction in steps highlights the efficiency gains. Sreetosh Goswami noted the unusual flexibility of the materials. "It is rare to see adaptability at this level in electronic materials," Goswami said. "Here, chemical design directly determines how computation happens."[deccanherald+4]
Future of AI and Computing
This molecular technology promises to move electronics beyond the current limitations of silicon.It has the potential to bring complex AI tasks, such as training Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, from large, energy-intensive data centers to personal devices like laptops and smartphones.This could democratize the development and access of AI tools globally.[healthbuzz+11]
The devices can serve as "AI accelerators" when integrated with traditional digital computers, boosting their speed and energy performance by hundreds of times.This addresses two critical hurdles in AI development: the need for better hardware and improved energy efficiency.Beyond computing, the technology also holds promise for healthcare applications, including advanced prosthetics, neural interfaces for neurological disorders, and AI-driven diagnostics that mimic cognitive processes.[deccanherald+3]
Sreetosh Goswami expressed confidence in the team's achievement. "Neuromorphic computing has had its fair share of unsolved challenges for over a decade," Goswami said. "With this discovery, we have almost nailed the perfect system—a rare feat." The molecular system at the heart of this innovation was designed by Prof. Sreebrata Goswami, a visiting professor at CeNSE and Sreetosh Goswami's father. He explained how the platform allows for precise control over molecular kinetics using nanosecond voltage pulses. The IISc team is now working on developing a fully indigenous integrated neuromorphic chip, showcasing a homegrown effort from materials to circuits and systems. This research marks a significant step towards a new era of brain-inspired computing.[m+5]
