Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
UC San Diego team controls memory-like behavior in experimental device
Researchers at the University of California San Diego controlled memory-like behavior in an experimental electronic device called a neuristor.
The device uses vanadium dioxide, which changes between insulating and conducting states, to imitate some electrical behavior of neurons.
Repeated electrical pulses above a threshold restricted the movement of tiny regions in the material, making later switching more predictable.
Lower-current pulses reversed that change, returning the device to a less predictable state.
This means the device’s past electrical activity can affect its future responses without a separate memory component.
The work could inform brain-inspired computing that combines memory and computation, but the team has not demonstrated a complete processor or practical energy savings.
Further research must test how reliably the effect works across devices and how quickly its memory states can change.
A University of California San Diego team demonstrated electrical control over memory-like behavior in an experimental neuristor.
The device uses vanadium dioxide, whose internal structure changes as it switches between insulating and conducting states.
Repeated electrical stimulation above a threshold pushed the material into a jammed state, making later switching more predictable.
Lower-current stimulation reversed that effect and restored less predictable switching.
The findings were published in Nature Communications and may inform future brain-inspired computing hardware.
- Who
- Researchers at the University of California San Diego, led by physics professor Oleg Shpyrko.
- What
- They used electrical currents to control memory-like switching behavior in an experimental neuristor made with vanadium dioxide.
- When
- The research was published on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- The University of California San Diego team conducted the research; the experiments involved an experimental device using vanadium dioxide.
- Why
- To investigate how electrical activity changes a device’s internal structure and switching, with potential relevance to brain-inspired computing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Repeated electrical stimulation above a threshold drove the material toward a jammed state, making subsequent switching more predictable.
Lower-current stimulation reversed the effect and restored a less predictable switching state.
The findings were published in Nature Communications.
- Institution
- University of California San Diego
- Research leader
- Physics professor Oleg Shpyrko
- Material
- Vanadium dioxide
- Device
- Neuristor
- Publication
- Nature Communications
- Observation period
- Thousands of seconds