RII Track-4: Understanding Phase-Change Nanodevices for Cognitive-inspired Computing Applications.

计算机的未来发展很可能取决于质的变化，基于材料和机制的新技术与目前使用的技术非常不同。最有希望的替代方案之一是开发受大脑工作原理启发的超低功耗认知计算系统，并使用新型生物启发设备，其功能与神经元、突触、轴突和树突的功能相对应。这一研究项目旨在加深我们对钒氧化物及相关材料电致开关机制的基本过程的理解。这些知识将有助于满足高密度数据存储、自适应神经电路和高能效神经形态计算的需求。此外，该项目将使私人投资和一名研究生在布鲁克海文国家实验室接受使用最先进仪器的培训，以应用对研究的中心方面至关重要的技术。协作将确保产生较长期的影响，并通过直接协作或通过未来研究项目的支持为国际和平研究所使用这些设施提供便利。UPRM学生参与相关分项目将直接为他们提供独特的教育机会，使他们为应对21世纪电子材料的挑战做好准备。本项目通过实验研究特定纳米结构中相关的马涅利钒氧化物，目的是加深我们对呈现金属绝缘体转变的相变材料的电致开关动力学的理解，以及它如何依赖于物理和化学参数，如组成、应力、厚度、颗粒大小和取向以及局部形态。为了研究这里感兴趣的特性，将采用一系列适当的表征技术。除了标准的技术外，还将应用最先进的技术，包括手术中光电子能谱、高分辨率扫描和透射电子显微镜。需要阐明上述参数对开关机制和电成型导电丝形成的影响，以评估它们的相对重要性，并开发制造协议，使其能够在用于神经形态计算的预期设备中重现电子特性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The future development of computers will likely depend on a qualitative change, with new technologies based on materials and mechanisms very different from those currently employed. One of the most promising alternatives centers on development of ultra-low-power cognitive computing systems inspired by the operating principles of the brain and employing new types of bio-inspired devices with functionalities which correspond to those of neurons, synapses, axons, and dendrites. This research project aims to enhance our understanding of fundamental processes of the electrically-induced switching mechanism in vanadium oxides and related materials. This knowledge will help to address the needs of high-density data storage, adaptive neural circuits, and energy-efficient neuromorphic computing. In addition, this project will allow the PI and a graduate student to be trained at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation to apply techniques crucial to the central aspect of the research. Collaboration will ensure longer-term impacts and facilitate future access either through direct collaborations or through support from future research projects for use of the facilities by the PI. Participation by UPRM students in related sub-projects will be a unique educational opportunity for them directly, which will prepare them to address the challenges of electronic materials in the 21st century. This project pursues experiments to study correlated Magnéli vanadium oxides in purpose-built nanostructures with the goal of furthering our understanding of dynamics of the electrically-induced switching of Phase Change Materials exhibiting Metal Insulator Transition and how it depends on physical and chemical parameters such as composition, stress, thickness, grain size and orientation, and local morphology. A range of appropriate characterization techniques will be employed in order to study the properties of interest here. Beyond standard ones, state-of-the-art techniques will be applied, including in-operando photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Elucidation of the influence of parameters mentioned above on the switching mechanism and on electroformed conductive filament formation are required to assess their relative importance and to develop fabrication protocols enabling reproducible electronic characteristics in prospective devices for neuromorphic computing.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.