Scientists develop frog-inspired ‘brain | DD News
In a major breakthrough for next-generation computing, scientists in India have developed a humidity-responsive, brain-like sensor inspired by frogs that could significantly reduce energy consumption in conventional electronic systems.
The innovative neuromorphic sensor, created by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), mimics how biological systems sense, process, and store information simultaneously – something traditional electronics struggle to achieve efficiently.
Neuromorphic electronics, which emulate the functioning of the human brain, are increasingly seen as a solution to the rising energy demands of modern computing, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and edge computing. However, most existing systems rely on separate components for sensing and processing, leading to higher energy use and data transfer delays.
The newly developed device overcomes this limitation by integrating sensing, memory, and processing into a single platform. It is based on one-dimensional supramolecular nanofibers and responds to changes in environmental humidity -much like certain amphibians.
The research draws inspiration from cricket frogs, whose neural responses are highly sensitive to moisture and light. Mimicking this behaviour, the sensor detects humidity variations and generates electrical responses that resemble synaptic activity in the brain, including learning-like functions such as memory and adaptation.
According to the researchers, the device not only reacts to humidity changes but can also “remember” past stimuli, allowing it to process information more efficiently. Its response is further influenced by light, adding another layer of environmental sensitivity.
“This is the first time humidity has been used as the primary stimulus to emulate synaptic behaviour in a neuromorphic device,” the research team noted.
The sensor was fabricated by growing supramolecular nanofibers from a charge-transfer complex and depositing them onto gold electrodes on a glass substrate. It was then tested under controlled humidity conditions to evaluate its ability to replicate synaptic responses such as facilitation, depression, and meta-plasticity, along with basic logic operations.
Experts believe the development could pave the way for a new class of smart, energy-efficient sensors capable of adaptive responses to environmental changes. Potential applications include environmental monitoring systems, wearable health devices, and advanced computing technologies for artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The findings, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C, mark a significant step towards sustainable and intelligent electronic systems that function more like natural biological networks.
