Adaptive polymeric system for Hebbian-type learning

An experimental realisation is presented of an adaptive polymeric system displaying 'learning behaviour'. The system consists of a statistically organised network of memristive (memory resistor) elements based on polyaniline. In such a network, the path followed by the current increments its conductivity, a property that enables the system to mimic Hebbian-type learning and have applications in neural network hardware. After discussing the operating principle of a single memristive element developed in our lab, the realisation is presented together with associated experimental results for a statistically organised polymeric adaptive network.