Brain-Inspired Nanofluidics
Event details
| Date | 16.01.2025 |
| Hour | 14:00 › 15:00 |
| Speaker | Théo Emmerich, Ph.D., Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), EPFL, Lausanne (CH) |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR
Abstract:
Nanofluidics is the study and manipulation of molecular flows at the nanoscale1. It is motivated by its pivotal role in biological processes, where nanoscale ionic flows govern critical functions. For instance, unlike man-made computers, biological brains rely on solvated ions to process information with remarkable energy efficiency. In this talk, I will present recent experimental advances that demonstrate how ionic computing can be realized using synthetic nanofluidic devices with memory capabilities2,3,4,5.
I will discuss the nanofabrication processes behind these devices, shedding light on the techniques used to create them. Through correlative characterization—combining electrokinetic and optical measurements—we will uncover the mechanisms underlying nanofluidic memory. Finally, I will explore how these memory effects can be harnessed to design "liquid hardware" that dynamically and phenomenologically mimics neural circuitry, paving the way for bio-inspired ionic computing systems.
References:
1 T. Emmerich*, N. Ronceray* et al. Nature Reviews Methods Primers. 2024
2 P. Robin*, T. Emmerich*, A. Ismaïl* et al. Science. 2023
3 T. Emmerich*, Y. Teng*, N. Ronceray* et al. Nature Electronics. 2024
4 S.F. Mayer*, M. Mitsioni* et al. BioArxiv. 2024
5 S.K.V et al. in prep
Bio:
EPFL, Lausanne (CH)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Radenovic Lab (LBEN)
2022 - Present
Ecole normale supérieure (ENS), Paris (F)
PhD, Physics
2018 - 2021
ETH Zürich (CH)
Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
2015 - 2017
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (USA)
Visiting student (Master's Thesis)
2017
EPFL, Lausanne (CH)
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
2011 - 2014
Zoom link for attending remotely: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/62495079663
Abstract:
Nanofluidics is the study and manipulation of molecular flows at the nanoscale1. It is motivated by its pivotal role in biological processes, where nanoscale ionic flows govern critical functions. For instance, unlike man-made computers, biological brains rely on solvated ions to process information with remarkable energy efficiency. In this talk, I will present recent experimental advances that demonstrate how ionic computing can be realized using synthetic nanofluidic devices with memory capabilities2,3,4,5.
I will discuss the nanofabrication processes behind these devices, shedding light on the techniques used to create them. Through correlative characterization—combining electrokinetic and optical measurements—we will uncover the mechanisms underlying nanofluidic memory. Finally, I will explore how these memory effects can be harnessed to design "liquid hardware" that dynamically and phenomenologically mimics neural circuitry, paving the way for bio-inspired ionic computing systems.
References:
1 T. Emmerich*, N. Ronceray* et al. Nature Reviews Methods Primers. 2024
2 P. Robin*, T. Emmerich*, A. Ismaïl* et al. Science. 2023
3 T. Emmerich*, Y. Teng*, N. Ronceray* et al. Nature Electronics. 2024
4 S.F. Mayer*, M. Mitsioni* et al. BioArxiv. 2024
5 S.K.V et al. in prep
Bio:
EPFL, Lausanne (CH)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Radenovic Lab (LBEN)
2022 - Present
Ecole normale supérieure (ENS), Paris (F)
PhD, Physics
2018 - 2021
ETH Zürich (CH)
Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
2015 - 2017
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (USA)
Visiting student (Master's Thesis)
2017
EPFL, Lausanne (CH)
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
2011 - 2014
Zoom link for attending remotely: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/62495079663
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free