Coordination Chemistry: Advancing Mixed Conductivity and Neuromorphic Computing

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Coordination chemistry, a pivotal field in the synthesis of coordination complexes and polymers, offers unique pathways for enhancing electronic device performance and developing advanced materials for next-generation technologies. Our research explores two exciting applications of coordination chemistry: mixed protonic-electronic conductors (MPECs) and memristive materials for neuromorphic computing.

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Mixed Protonic-Electronic Conductors (MPECs)

Coordination complexes, consisting of central metal atoms bonded to surrounding ligands, provide versatile structures whose physical and electronic properties can be finely tuned. This design flexibility is crucial for developing materials that meet specific requirements in advanced electronics. Our recent work has demonstrated that carefully designed coordination complexes and polymers can achieve high mixed conductivity at room temperature.

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Key findings include:

• High mixed conductivity (both proton and electron) at room temperature

• Modulation of transport properties through environmental factors like humidity

• Expansion of traditional mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) applications

• Unique proton-mediated advantages in electronics and iontronics

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These MPECs are opening up exciting new possibilities for advanced electronic and electrochemical devices, paving the way for next-generation materials in the field.

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Memristors and Neuromorphic Computing

Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, aims to create energy-efficient and fast artificial neural networks capable of processing complex information in real-time. Memristors, innovative electronic components that can both store and process information, are central to this field, mimicking the functionality of biological synapses.

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Our research focuses on developing novel memristive materials using coordination chemistry, with the following objectives:

• Achieving excellent uniformity in memristor performance

• Increasing the dynamic range of memristive devices

• Improving switching speeds for faster information processing

• Exploring the potential of memristors in creating artificial neurons

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By leveraging the unique capabilities of memristors, we aim to advance the field of neuromorphic computing, paving the way for more powerful, energy-efficient, and brain-like artificial intelligence systems. These advancements have far-reaching implications for applications in autonomous vehicles, robotics, healthcare, and edge computing, addressing the growing demand for intelligent, low-latency data processing.

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Through our work in both MPECs and memristive materials, we are demonstrating the vast potential of coordination chemistry in shaping the future of electronics and computing technologies.