Artificial Olfactory Neuron for an In‐Sensor Neuromorphic Nose

Abstract

A neuromorphic module of an electronic nose (E-nose) is demonstrated by hybridizing a chemoresistive gas sensor made of a semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) and a single transistor neuron (1T-neuron) made of a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). By mimicking a biological olfactory neuron, it simultaneously detects a gas and encoded spike signals for in-sensor neuromorphic functioning. It identifies an odor source by analyzing the complicated mixed signals using a spiking neural network (SNN). The proposed E-nose does not require conversion circuits, which are essential for processing the sensory signals between the sensor array and processors in the conventional bulky E-nose. In addition, they do not have to include a central processing unit (CPU) and memory, which are required for von Neumann computing. The spike transmission of the biological olfactory system, which is known to be the main factor for reducing power consumption, is realized with the SNN for power savings compared to the conventional E-nose with a deep neural network (DNN). Therefore, the proposed neuromorphic E-nose is promising for application to Internet of Things (IoT), which demands a highly scalable and energy-efficient system. As a practical example, it is employed as an electronic sommelier by classifying different types of wines.

Recent advances in neuromorphic transistors for artificial perception applications

“…Based on the above characteristics, the device has the bionic ability to simulate the damage of harmful gases to human organs. Han et al [ 52 ] proposed an artificial olfactory neuron module for neuromorphic electronic nose (E-nose) application by hybridizing a chemoresistive gas sensor with a single transistor neuron (1T-neuron). Resistive gas sensors and single transistor-based neuron are made of semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), respectively.…”

“…(c) the accuracy of test results. Reproduced with permission [ 52 ]. Copyright 2022, WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH.…”

Emerging electrolyte-gated transistors for neuromorphic perception

“…It is well known that biological systems have diverse receptors for different kinds of stimuli, such as pressure, light, and sound, etc. [ 124–126 ]. Receptors receive stimuli from the external environment and convert the signals into spikes, which then transmit them to the cerebral cortex for further processing.…”

State of the Art of Chemosensors in a Biomedical Context

“…This can be achieved by using nanostructures for the sensing surfaces (e.g.,: [110], Cr 2 O 3 decorated nanotubes for sensing of phenol) and should be further developed for other analytes. To improve the selectivity of MOx sensors, they can be arranged as a matrix [115] of sensors with similar but slightly adapted properties or in a micro sensor array of different sensing materials [116]. The response time is usually in the single digit seconds range, most of the recovery time is in the double-digit seconds range.…”