Coincidences with the Artificial Axon

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that artificial axons can perform basic neural functions like coincidence detection and synaptic transmission, modeled by Hodgkin-Huxley dynamics, paving the way for low-voltage bio-inspired neural networks.

Contribution

It introduces artificial axons capable of basic electrophysiological behaviors and constructs a simple neural network unit with electronic synapses, advancing bio-inspired neural engineering.

Findings

Artificial axons exhibit coincidence firing and increased firing rates with input current.

Connected artificial axons demonstrate pre/post synaptic behavior.

The system aligns with Hodgkin-Huxley nerve excitability models.

Abstract

The artificial axon is an excitable node built with the basic biomolecular components and supporting action potentials. Here we demonstrate coincidence firing (the AND operation) and other basic electrophysiology features such as increasing firing rates for increasing input currents. We construct the basic unit for a network by connecting two such excitable nodes through an electronic synapse, producing pre/post synaptic behavior in which one axon induces firing in another. We show that the system is well described by the Hodgkin-Huxley model of nerve excitability, and conclude with a brief outlook for realizing large networks of such low voltage "ionics".