Fiber-shaped artificial optoelectronic synapses for wearable visual-memory systems

Biomimetic visual systems that are enabled with receptor-like exquisite visual sensing and synapse-like learning/memory functions offer exciting opportunities for futuristically wearable electronics. However, attempts to develop wearable visual systems remain limited, and present-day challenges in artificial visual systems are unsatisfactory geometric compatibility with irregular surfaces and poor breathability. Here, a fiber-shaped artificial optoelectronic synapse (FAOS) with double-twisted architecture consisting of high-density TiO2-x and MoS2 arrays is successfully constructed. Significantly, the proposed FAOS can emulate both electrical and light-induced synaptic functions such as excitatory postsynaptic current, short/long-term plasticity, and “learning-forgetting-relearning” behavior. The FAOS also exhibits excellent flexibility without obvious degradation of optoelectronic synaptic performance during bending. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, multiple FAOSs are woven into commercial textiles to form optoelectronic synapse arrays for perception and memory of image information. This work provides guidance on rational design for advanced FAOSs and accelerates practical application in wearable electronic textiles.