FlexRAM: If you are interested in flexible electronics, you might have heard of organic thin-film transistors that can bend and twist without breaking. These transistors are promising for applications such as wearable devices, smart textiles, and flexible displays. But what about memory devices that can store and retrieve data on these flexible circuits? That’s where FlexRAM comes in.
FlexRAM: The Liquid Metal Memory
The Inspiration from Neural Communication
FlexRAM is a novel type of resistive random-access memory (RRAM) that uses liquid metal as the switching material. RRAM is a non-volatile memory technology that stores data by changing the resistance of a thin film between two electrodes. Unlike conventional RRAM, which uses solid-state materials such as metal oxides or organic molecules, FlexRAM uses gallium-based liquid metal (GLM) droplets that can flow and deform in a solution environment.
The researchers from Tsinghua University, in Beijing, who developed FlexRAM, were inspired by the way neurons communicate in the brain. Neurons use electrical signals to transmit information, and these signals are modulated by the opening and closing of ion channels on the cell membrane. Similarly, FlexRAM uses electrical pulses to control the oxidation and reduction of the liquid metal droplets, which changes their resistance and thus stores data.
To write data, a positive or negative voltage pulse is applied to the liquid metal droplet. A positive pulse causes the liquid metal to oxidize, forming a thin layer of gallium oxide on its surface. This increases the resistance of the droplet, corresponding to a logic “1”. A negative pulse reverses this process, reducing the oxide layer and restoring the low resistance state of the droplet, corresponding to a logic “0”. To read data, a small voltage is applied to measure the resistance of the droplet.
Demonstrating Feasibility and Performance
The researchers demonstrated the feasibility of FlexRAM by encoding a string of letters and numbers into an array of eight liquid metal droplets, equivalent to one byte of data. They used a computer program to convert the digital signal into analog pulses that controlled the oxidation and reduction of the droplets. They also showed that FlexRAM can operate under various bending and twisting conditions, without affecting its performance.
To demonstrate how well FlexRAM can read and write data, researchers set it up with a combination of software and hardware. They used computer commands to convert a string of letters and numbers into binary code (0s and 1s), and stored it in eight FlexRAM storage units, equivalent to 1 byte of data. The computer’s digital signal was then converted into an analog signal using pulse-width modulation, controlling the oxidation and reduction of liquid metal.
The current prototype is a type of volatile memory, as explained by Jing Liu, a professor at Tsinghua University. However, Liu believes that the memory principle allows for the device to take different forms of memory. An interesting discovery is that the data stored in FlexRAM remains even when the power is turned off. In low-oxygen conditions, it can retain data for up to 12 hours and can be repeatedly used for over 3,500 cycles while maintaining stable performance.
Jing Liu sees this breakthrough as changing traditional ideas about flexible memory, providing a theoretical foundation and technical path for future soft intelligent robots, brain-machine interface systems, and wearable/implantable electronic devices.
FlexRAM Device Composition
The FlexRAM device is made up of GLM droplets encapsulated in Ecoflex, a stretchable biopolymer. Using a 3D printer, researchers created molds with Ecoflex and injected liquid-metal droplets and a hydrogel solution into the cavities. The hydrogel not only prevents leaks but also enhances the device’s mechanical properties.
At the current conceptual demonstration stage, millimeter-scale resolution molding is enough to showcase how FlexRAM works. According to Liu, the possible size scale for these devices can vary widely, from millimeter to nanoscale droplets. Interestingly, the study suggests that smaller droplet sizes result in more sensitive memory responses.
Future Prospects and Integration
This groundbreaking work opens the door for brain-like circuits, aligning with concepts proposed by researchers like Stuart Parkin at IBM over a decade ago. Liu envisions that FlexRAM could be integrated into entire liquid-based computing systems, serving as a logic device. As researchers refine the technology, the potential applications of FlexRAM in soft robotics, brain-machine interface systems, and wearable/implantable electronics could be significant.
Conclusion
FlexRAM is still in its early stages of development, and there are some challenges to overcome before it can be widely used. For example, the current prototype is volatile, meaning that it loses data when the power is off. The researchers are working on improving the stability and retention of the memory device, as well as increasing its density and speed. They also hope to integrate FlexRAM with other flexible electronic components, such as sensors and actuators, to create more advanced systems.
FlexRAM is an exciting example of how liquid metal can be used for flexible electronics. It combines the advantages of RRAM with the flexibility and biocompatibility of liquid metal. It also mimics the functionality of biological neurons, opening up new possibilities for neuromorphic computing and brain-inspired devices.
