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R&D Association for Future Electron Devices

R&D Projects

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Bioelectronic Devices(1986-1995)

The theme of this project is the development of Bioelectronic Devices based on plasticity, molecular recognition and self-organization. The project has a ten-year R&D schedule which is divided into two phases: i) The modelling of biological information processes and development of molecular assembly techniques, ii) The demonstration and application of prototype bioelectronic devices. This project has produced results that have attracted considerable world-wide interest and the following are examples of the most conspicuous results:

(1) Development of a real-time and noninvasive 16,348-site optical imaging system (camera) for recording in neural activities in the brain (ETL).
(2) Development of visual information processing devices using two-dimensional rhodopsin (a photosensitive protein) films.
(3) Development of an olfactory sensory processing device using organic films.

Projects currently being pursued include the establishment of computer models of the human visual system capable of character recognition with high levels of complexity and flexibility, and the development of molecular scale devices in which each molecule has individual, independently accessible switching properties. Other areas of current R&D include organic-based non-linear oscillators leading to new Information processors and artificial neural devices based on i) organic thin-films, ii) molecular aggregates, and iii) organic photoconductors, aimed at mimicking single brain neuron operations in order to carry out novel information processing. Bioelectronic devices will open new information processing technologies and are expected to be a key factor in the realization of biocomputers in the future.

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