Artificial mechano-nociceptive system based on transparent ITO/AlN/ITO memristor nociceptor neuron

Abstract

Artificial nociceptors demonstrate significant potential in emerging fields such as intelligent prosthetics, humanoid robotics, and electronic skin, capable of transducing external noxious stimuli to the central nervous system. Unlike common sensory neurons, nociceptors exhibit unique characteristics, including “no adaptation,” “relaxation,” “threshold firing,” and “sensitization of allodynia/hyperalgesia.” This study presents a forming-free volatile transparent ITO/AlN/ITO memristor that emulates biological nociceptor behaviors. Leveraging this artificial nociceptor, an artificial mechano-nociceptive system is developed by integrating the ITO/AlN/ITO memristor into a piezoelectric force sensor system for pain sensing and noxious stimuli warning. This research contributes to the advancement of human cognitive capability emulation and artificial intelligence systems, particularly in the domain of pain perception and response.