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April 1, 2026Advanced Materials3 citationsOpen Access

Photo‐Rewritable Ambipolar Organic Electrochemical Synapses with Bidirectional Optical Plasticity for Adaptive Vision in Aqueous Environments

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XSXiaoqian SuSingapore Institute of TechnologyXWXihu WuXiamen UniversityHWHao WangGeneral Cardiology

Key Points

  • The study aims to develop an organic electrochemical synapse that mimics biological vision and operates efficiently in aqueous environments.
  • Developed an ambipolar all-polymer vertical OECT for synaptic functions.
  • Utilized photon-modulated electrochemical doping for light sensitivity.
  • Integrated memory retention and bidirectional synaptic plasticity in a single device.
  • Constructed a vertically integrated synaptic array for advanced optical functions.
  • Achieved stable operation in aqueous electrolytes at low voltages (≤ 0.4 V).
  • Demonstrated sustained memory retention for over 130 minutes.
  • Implemented selective optical erasure and rewriting capabilities.
  • Showcased potential for high-density circuits for artificial vision.

Abstract

Emulating biological vision requires aqueous-compatible neuromorphic devices that perform light sensing and complex synaptic dynamics. Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), capable of converting ionic signals into electronic current via electrochemical doping, closely mimic biological synaptic signaling. This capability distinguishes them from traditional electronic synapses, which rely purely on electron transport. However, prior OECTs typically require multiple components for bidirectional synaptic potentiation and depression, limiting integration and scalability. Here, we present an ambipolar all-polymer bulk heterojunction vertical OECT that enables light-tunable bidirectional synaptic plasticity while functioning stably in aqueous electrolytes at low operating voltages (≤ 0.4 V). Through photon-modulated electrochemical doping and ambipolar charge transport, the device integrates light sensing, bidirectional synaptic plasticity, and sustained memory (over 130 min) in a single device, mimicking the dual-polarity signaling of retinal bipolar cells. This design allows the transistor to read, write, and erase signals without complex external circuitry. We further demonstrate a vertically integrated optoelectronic synaptic array capable of image recording, selective optical erasure, rewriting, and background denoising, highlighting the feasibility of both global and localized reprogramming. This scalable, light-controlled organic synapse unlocks high-density, biocompatible circuits for artificial retinas and neuromorphic vision.

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Cite This Study

Su et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ccb75916edfba7beb893bfhttps://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202516989
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