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[[Vol. 17]Atomic Switch Networks for Cognitive Technology_ WPI-MANA.pdf](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/filesets/f22da158-59d8-440f-a916-7b70e8d0b6f5/download)

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International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA)

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[[Research Highlights Vol.17] Atomic Switch Networks for Cognitive Technology](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/datasets/1cbf923c-e6fa-4ed3-91ce-3bcdd1434ae4)

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2022/04/04 10:21 Atomic Switch Networks for Cognitive Technology| MANAhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol17.html 1/2Previous  Index  NextResearch Highlights[Vol. 17]Atomic Switch Networks for Cognitive Technology1 Aug, 2014A self-organized network of inorganic synapses provides a unique approachtoward the development of brain-like computers.Figure : A look inside the ASN device reveals its highly interconnected architecture whichcomprises synaptic circuit elements at each point of contact between nanowires. Thecollective interactions between these atomic switches result in unique, emergentproperties which have shown significant potential for neuromorphic computing.While modern computers have revolutionized information processing, the mammalian braincontinues to reign supreme in tasks such as recognizing sounds or objects, reading handwriting, orpredicting where food may be found based on both memory and environmental clues. Thiscontrast in performance stems from the radically divergent physical structures and operatingmechanisms of neuronal networks and digital circuits. Computers employ a microprocessor torapidly perform simple, error-free calculations in a sequential fashion and store data in physicallyseparate memory banks. In contrast, the brain comprises a vast network of neurons servingsimultaneously as both information processors and memory units, resulting in comparatively slowand imprecise operations in a parallel or distributed manner.Most efforts to mimic brain function involve programming computers to create virtual neuralnetworks. However, researchers at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at the University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics(MANA) at the National Institute for Materials Science, Japan are developing a neuromorphicdevice designed to incorporate structural aspects inspired by the cortical neuropil and produce theclass of operational properties which underlie cognition in the mammalian brain.https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol16.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol18.html2022/04/04 10:21 Atomic Switch Networks for Cognitive Technology| MANAhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol17.html 2/2The atomic switch, a recently developed nanoscale circuit element, has been shown to possesssynapse-like properties in a purely inorganic device. Using a nanoarchitectonic approach, millionsof atomic switch elements are incorporated into a densely interconnected network of silvernanowires. These atomic switch networks (ASN) retain the synaptic properties of their of individualcomponent elements and generate emergent behaviors comprised of their distributed, collectiveinteractions. Such emergent behaviors are a principal characteristic of biological neural networksand many other complex systems. Ongoing studies involve the utilization of these emergentbehaviors for information processing toward the generation of a new class of cognitivetechnologies.Reference"Neuromorphic Atomic Switch Networks"Audrius V. Avizienis , Henry O. Sillin , Cristina Martin-Olmos, Hsien Hang Shieh, Masakazu Aono,Adam Z. Stieg , and James K. GimzewskiJournal : PLoS One 7 (2012) e42772.DOI : 10.1371/journal.pone.0042772AffiliationsInternational Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for MaterialsScience (NIMS), Namiki 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, JapanContact informationInternational Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics(WPI-MANA)National Institute for Materials Science1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 JapanPhone: +81-29-860-4710E-mail: mana-pr[AT]ml.nims.go.jphttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/aono_masakazu?locale=enhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0042772