Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions

Abstract Mimicking biological systems’ sensing, learning, and memory capabilities in synthetic soft materials remains challenging. While significant progress has been made in sensory functions in ionogels, their learning and memory capabilities still lag behind biological systems. Here, we introduce...

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Main Authors: Ning Zhou, Ting Cui, Zhouyue Lei, Peiyi Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59944-3
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author Ning Zhou
Ting Cui
Zhouyue Lei
Peiyi Wu
author_facet Ning Zhou
Ting Cui
Zhouyue Lei
Peiyi Wu
author_sort Ning Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mimicking biological systems’ sensing, learning, and memory capabilities in synthetic soft materials remains challenging. While significant progress has been made in sensory functions in ionogels, their learning and memory capabilities still lag behind biological systems. Here, we introduce cation-π interactions and a self-adaptable ionic-double-layer interface in bilayer ionogels to control ion transport. Fast ion response enables sensing and learning, while slow ion relaxation supports long-term memory. The ionogels achieve bioinspired functions, including sensitization, habituation, classical conditioning, and multimodal memory, with low energy consumption (0.06 pJ per spike). Additionally, the ionogels exhibit mechanical adaptability, such as stretchability, self-healing, and reconfigurability, making them ideal for soft robotics. Notably, the ionogels enable a robotic arm to mimic the selective capture behavior of a Venus flytrap. This work bridges the gap between biological intelligence and artificial systems, offering promising applications in bioinspired, energy-efficient sensing, learning, and memory.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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spelling doaj-art-b1941f4e36dc458da6cdc29ef2bc8bd32025-08-20T01:51:32ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111210.1038/s41467-025-59944-3Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ionsNing Zhou0Ting Cui1Zhouyue Lei2Peiyi Wu3State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua UniversityAbstract Mimicking biological systems’ sensing, learning, and memory capabilities in synthetic soft materials remains challenging. While significant progress has been made in sensory functions in ionogels, their learning and memory capabilities still lag behind biological systems. Here, we introduce cation-π interactions and a self-adaptable ionic-double-layer interface in bilayer ionogels to control ion transport. Fast ion response enables sensing and learning, while slow ion relaxation supports long-term memory. The ionogels achieve bioinspired functions, including sensitization, habituation, classical conditioning, and multimodal memory, with low energy consumption (0.06 pJ per spike). Additionally, the ionogels exhibit mechanical adaptability, such as stretchability, self-healing, and reconfigurability, making them ideal for soft robotics. Notably, the ionogels enable a robotic arm to mimic the selective capture behavior of a Venus flytrap. This work bridges the gap between biological intelligence and artificial systems, offering promising applications in bioinspired, energy-efficient sensing, learning, and memory.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59944-3
spellingShingle Ning Zhou
Ting Cui
Zhouyue Lei
Peiyi Wu
Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions
Nature Communications
title Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions
title_full Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions
title_fullStr Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions
title_full_unstemmed Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions
title_short Bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions
title_sort bioinspired learning and memory in ionogels through fast response and slow relaxation dynamics of ions
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59944-3
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AT zhouyuelei bioinspiredlearningandmemoryinionogelsthroughfastresponseandslowrelaxationdynamicsofions
AT peiyiwu bioinspiredlearningandmemoryinionogelsthroughfastresponseandslowrelaxationdynamicsofions