Synthetic DNA and Perovskite Combine to Create Ultra-Low-Power Memory Chip

Scientists at Penn State have created a new type of memristor by integrating synthetic DNA sequences with a perovskite semiconductor, achieving power consumption 100 times lower than typical memory devices. Short, rigid DNA strands were engineered for specific electronic properties and enhanced with silver nanoparticles to conduct electricity and align orderly within thin films. When combined with perovskite, the resulting bio-hybrid pathways guide electron flow reliably at voltages below 0.1 V and stay functional for weeks at room temperature and at temperatures near 250 °F. The device can retain information without power, mirroring neuronal behavior and enabling simultaneous storage and processing.

Researchers argue that such ultra-dense, low-energy memory could be pivotal for future AI systems and neuromorphic computing architectures. The work, detailed in Advanced Functional Materials and supported by NSF, NIH, Penn State and the University of Minnesota, is subject to a patent application.