Nanofluidic Iontronics for Neuromorphic Computing and Intelligent Sensing

This PhD project aims to develop nanofluidic iontronic platforms for neuromorphic computing and sensing. Potential material platforms include two-dimensional membranes and nanopores, functional polymers, ionogels, porous frameworks, and engineered biological nanopores. The research will investigate how nanoscale confinement and interfacial chemistry govern ion transport, memory, and sensing.

For neuromorphic computing, the project will investigate how ion accumulation, reversible binding, interfacial rearrangement, and channel gating generate programmable conductance and memory. These studies will guide the development of ionic memristors and artificial synapses that emulate learning and forgetting and support adaptive signal processing. Particular attention will be paid to controllable synaptic plasticity, memory retention, response times, and reproducible operation.

For sensing and detection, the research will explore how selective transport and analyte–channel interactions produce electrical signals for identifying ions and biomolecules or detecting chemical and physical stimuli. Key questions include molecular capture and recognition, signal selectivity, sensitivity, response and recovery dynamics, and reliable operation in complex samples.

A further direction is to integrate sensing with ionic memory, exploring devices that record stimulus histories and support adaptive recognition. By combining materials preparation, surface functionalization, electrical characterization, and transport modelling, the project will establish links between nanoscale transport mechanisms and device functions, with the goal of advancing bioinspired information processing and nanofluidic analysis.

Applications accepted all year round. Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide).