Bioinspired Nanofluidic Iontronics for Neuromorphic Computing

doi:10.1007/s40242-026-6160-7

Abstract

Abstract: Bioinspired nanofluidic iontronics regulates ion transport in confined, hydrated environments to enable neuromorphic functions. Nanofluidic neuromorphic devices vary widely in materials, structures, transport mechanisms, and computational roles, complicating systematic comparison across platforms. Unlike existing reviews that primarily organize the field by material system, device structure, or individual synaptic-like behavior, this review establishes a mechanism-timescale-function framework that connects the physical origin, operation-relevant timescale, and computational role of ionic conductance responses. Within this framework, stable and transient conductance responses are treated not as separate device categories, but as functional regimes determined by their physical mechanism, temporal evolution behaviors, and computational roles. We first summarize the fundamental mechanisms that regulate ionic conductance under nanoconfinement, and then discuss the stable conductance responses for synaptic weight storage, the transient ionic conductance dynamics for temporal information processing, and the progression from individual devices to scalable iontronic circuits and systems. Finally, we highlight key challenges in mechanism attribution, reproducibility, benchmarking, interface design, and system integration, and outline future directions for reliable, function-oriented, and biointerfaced nanofluidic neuromorphic hardware.

Key words: Bioinspired nanofluidics, Nanofluidic iontronics, Neuromorphic computing, Ionic conductance dynamics, Iontronic integration

YANG Siqi, GUO Ziwen, ZHANG Mingshi, HOU Yaqi, HOU Xu. Bioinspired Nanofluidic Iontronics for Neuromorphic Computing[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(5): 1408-1425.

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