Dual-gate Neurotransistors for Bio-inspired Multi-synaptic Integration

doi:10.1007/s40242-026-6152-7

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (5): 1527-1533.doi: 10.1007/s40242-026-6152-7

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Dual-gate Neurotransistors for Bio-inspired Multi-synaptic Integration

HUANG Zijia¹, ZHU Xinyi¹, LIU Wenchao¹, MEI Tingting¹, SI Zhixiao¹, XIAO Kai^1,2

1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China;
2. State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, P. R. China

Received:2026-06-26 Accepted:2026-08-01 Online:2026-10-01 Published:2026-09-24
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 22275079, 22474053), the Shenzhen Medical Research Fund, China (No. B2401005), the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China (No. 2023YFC2415900), the Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program, China (No. 2023ZT10C027), the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program, China (Nos. KQTD20221101093559017, JCYJ20230807093205011), the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation, China (No. 2024A1515012600), the Project of the State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing from Wuhan Textile University, China (No. FZ2025016), the Project of the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, China (No. 2022B1212010003), the Starting Grant from Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), China, and the High Level of Special Funds, China (No. G03050K002).

Abstract

Abstract: Biological nervous systems perform sophisticated computation of multi-input signals and synaptic integration via ion migration across protein nanochannels, underpinning a broad spectrum of intelligent neural activities. Inspired by this biological mechanism, we construct a dual-gate ion transistor based on carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole (CNTs/PPy) composite nanochannels to mimic the signal processing behavior of biological synapses. The discontinuous gradient distribution of PPy guarantees independent modulation by the two gates and induces pronounced asymmetric electrical output properties. Electrical characterizations confirm that the dual-gate configuration activates additional ion transport pathways within the nanochannels. By adjusting the electropolymerization time of PPy, three devices with different degrees of asymmetry are obtained, which effectively emulate synaptic suppression, synergistic enhancement, and linear integration as observed in biological neurons. This study provides a facile and robust strategy for constructing a dual-gate ion transistor platform, establishing a reliable foundation for high-performance multi-input biomimetic neuromorphic computing.

Key words: Dual-gate neurotransistor, Nanofluidics, Neuromorphic device, Polypyrrole, Multi-synaptic integration

HUANG Zijia, ZHU Xinyi, LIU Wenchao, MEI Tingting, SI Zhixiao, XIAO Kai. Dual-gate Neurotransistors for Bio-inspired Multi-synaptic Integration[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(5): 1527-1533.

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Dual-gate Neurotransistors for Bio-inspired Multi-synaptic Integration

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