We live in an analogue world, where the information is continuously transmitted and simultaneously processed by our brain. However, our devices process information in digital format. Researchers from EPFL introduced technology which combines the possibilities of analogue processing with the accuracy of digital devices.
Scientists at EPFL have developed a new technology that merges the capabilities of analogue processing with the precision of digital devices. By utilizing super-thin two-dimensional semiconductors and ferroelectric materials, they have improved energy efficiency and added new functions to computing equipment. This integration of traditional digital logic with analog operations has led to faster and more efficient electronics.
One of the key innovations produced by the Nanoelectronics Device Laboratory is the creation of a Tunnel Field-Effect Transistor (TFET) switch. This transistor is capable of operating at low voltages, enabling devices to consume less energy.
Professor Adrian Ionescu highlights the significance of this technological advancement, emphasizing the exceptional capabilities of TFET and its potential for replicating synaptic neuron functions. In a breakthrough development, graduate student Sadegh Kamaei successfully integrated the capabilities of two-dimensional semiconductors and ferroelectric materials into a fully integrated electronic system.
This study also introduces switches that resemble biological synapses, enabling neuromorphic calculations and paving the way for devices that emulate the human brain’s functionality. These systems have the potential to tackle tasks that traditional computers struggle with, such as image recognition and sensory data processing.