Some researchers are leaning into biology for inspiration in computing. In particular, neuromorphic computing offers a brain-inspired approach to hardware that replaces traditional binary processing with systems that function more like neurons and synapses. Now, a new study, published in Nature Communications, describes an innovative design for a fluidic memristor that uses its own self-heating mechanism to induce a history-dependent memory effect.
Brain-like computing
So far, most memristor (memory resistor) devices have used solid materials with electrons or holes functioning as charge carriers. But fluidic memristors instead take advantage of the movement of ions in liquids, which more closely mimics biological signaling, like that which occurs in the brain. However, existing fluidic memristors can be difficult to fabricate and offer a limited range of memory behaviors. The authors of the new study came up with a way to overcome some of these limitations by using temperature fluctuations while also making the device more "brain-like."
They write, "The exploration of additional memristive mechanisms may be beneficial. In conventional integrated circuits, localized heating is generally regarded as an unnecessary and even harmful side effect. However, in biological neural systems, thermal signals are closely linked to essential life processes. They significantly affect neuronal functions, including ion channel activation, action potential conduction speed, and firing patterns.
"Therefore, accounting for temperature effects in fluidic systems allows for more precise simulation of living organisms' physiological states. This not only provides an alternative approach for emulating the dynamic behavior of biological neurons, but also offers a method for creating neuromorphic systems with bio-similar temperature regulation."
The self-heating-induced blocking memristor
Earlier fluidic memristors used ion buildup, mechanical deformation or chemical reactions to change conductivity, but some studies showed that precipitation and dissolution can help create ionic memory effects. The research team involved in the new study wanted to test whether a memristor could use its own electrical heating to create and erase memory states.
To do this, they designed a nanopore device, referred to as a self-heating-induced blocking memristor (SIBM), whose self-induced electrical current heats tiny liquid-filled pores. High voltage enables heating that causes dissolved salt to form solid particles that clog the pores, reducing ionic current and driving the device into a high-resistance state (HRS).
When the voltage is reduced, the pores cool again, the particles clear, ion flow returns and the device goes back to a low-resistance state. This reversible clogging generates a short-term, history-dependent memory effect. Simulations confirmed that the nonlinear increase in ionic current is due to Joule heating. The team also found that increasing the pore size attenuates the memory effect and the nonlinear current-voltage behavior, which eventually disappears.
Further testing showed that the device could reproduce several simplified neural behaviors, including signal weakening, frequency sensitivity, forgetting and associative learning. The team says the SIBM showed good consistency after undergoing more than 60 consecutive switching cycles, achieved response times of 12 ms after training and showed retention times of up to 1,500 seconds before relaxation.
The future of SIBMs
The design is still an early proof-of-concept device, and more work is needed for practical applications. The team suggests that tuning pore size, surface properties and solution chemistry can further reduce energy use and improve stability. Further work could use larger arrays to test whether the technology can perform more practical computing tasks. Eventually, the team says this concept can be used in applications involving integrated computing and information storage.
The study authors write, "Meanwhile, the high chemical tunability inherent to the precipitation process holds promise for enabling an integrated functional platform that combines thermal, chemical, and iontronics, which could further emulate the complex dynamic behaviors of biological systems. In conclusion, this study offers a promising paradigm for thermal applications in nanopores and establishes a critical foundation for advancing neuromorphic nanofluidic devices."
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Publication details
Qinyang Fan et al, Self-heating-induced blocking in nanopores enables neuromorphic ionic computing, Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-75570-z
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Citation: Brain-inspired nanopore device uses current-induced heating for memory operations (2026, July 16) retrieved 16 July 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-07-brain-nanopore-device-current-memory.html
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