Artificial Retinal Device Mimics Human Optical Illusions: WPI-MANA
March 10, 2022 | PRNewswireEstimated reading time: 1 minute
A team at the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA) has developed the first-ever artificial retinal device that increases the edge contrast between lighter and darker areas of an image, using ionic migration and interaction within solid. The device has the potential for use in developing compact, energy-efficient visual sensing and image-processing hardware systems capable of processing analog signals.
Recently artificial intelligence (AI) system developers have shown much interest in research on various sensors and analog information-processing systems inspired by the human senses. Most AI systems require sophisticated software and complex circuit configurations, including custom-designed processing modules. The problem with these systems is that they are large and consume much power.
The team built a multiple ionic device system, each of which had a lithium cobalt oxide channel arranged on a common lithium phosphorus oxynitride electrolyte. Because of the migration of Li-ions between the channels through the electrolyte, the devices were highly interactive, similar to human retinal neurons such as photoreceptors, and horizontal and bipolar cells. Input voltage pulses caused ions within the electrolyte to migrate across the channels, which changed the output channel current.
The device was able to process input image signals and produce an image with increased edge contrast between darker and lighter areas. This is similar to the human visual system's ability to increase edge contrast between brightness differences by means of visual lateral inhibition.
The human eye produces various optical illusions associated with tilt angle, size, color and movement, in addition to darkness/lightness, and this process is believed to play a crucial role in the visual identification of different objects. The artificial retinal device the team created could be used to reproduce these types of optical illusions. They hope to develop visual sensing systems capable of performing human retinal functions by integrating their device with other components, including photoreceptor circuits.
This research was conducted by Tohru Tsuruoka (Chief Researcher, Nanoionic Devices Group, WPI-MANA, NIMS), Kazuya Terabe (MANA Principal Investigator, Group Leader, Nanoionic Devices Group, WPI-MANA, NIMS) and their collaborator.
Suggested Items
Reducing Nitrogen Consumption in Convection Soldering with Rehm Thermal Systems' Patented Mechatronic Curtain
03/28/2024 | Rehm Thermal SystemsCurrent developments indicate a need for larger throughput heights due to the trend towards e-mobility, which in turn increases nitrogen consumption for process inertization. Rehm Thermal Systems responds to this issue with an innovative solution: the mechatronic curtain.
CentraTEQ to Showcase Wide Range of Vibration & Environmental Test Systems at Battery Tech Expo 24
03/26/2024 | CentraTEQEnvironmental and vibration test specialists CentraTEQ are excited to be exhibiting at the upcoming Battery Tech Expo, scheduled to take place at Silverstone on April 25, 2024.
SEMI 3D & Systems Summit To Spotlight Trends In Hybrid Bonding, Chiplet Design And Environmental Sustainability
03/26/2024 | SEMILeading experts in 3D integration and systems for semiconductor manufacturing applications will gather at the annual SEMI 3D & Systems Summit, 12-14 June, 2024,
iNEMI/IPC White Paper on Complex Integrated Systems Highlights Future Technology and Manufacturing Ecosystem Needs
03/25/2024 | IPCToday’s system solutions combine more varied functionality, such as digital, analog, optical, micro-mechanical, etc., packed into smaller form factors. As a result, electronics manufacturing has to deliver increasingly complex integration of diverse technologies with system designs that blur the distinction between chip, package, board, and assembly.
Synopsys Announces New AI-Driven EDA, IP and Systems Design Solutions At SNUG Silicon Valley
03/25/2024 | PRNewswireSynopsys, Inc. kicked off its annual flagship Synopsys User Group (SNUG) conference in Silicon Valley at the Santa Clara Convention Center with a keynote presentation by Synopsys president and CEO Sassine Ghazi. Ghazi discussed the unprecedented innovation opportunities and challenges that technology R&D teams face in this era of pervasive intelligence.