MOBILITY ENGINEERING Produced by SAE Media Group
MOBILITY ENGINEERING
Magazines
Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Natural DNA-Based Nonvolatile Resistive Switching Memory

Reliable memory devices can be realized within a single macromolecule based on natural DNA.

Motivated by the demand for an even larger storage capacity in the information era, research efforts have been devoted to the development of more efficient and cost-effective memory elements.

Many digital data storage infrastructures are constructed based on the building block with a resistive switching (RS) behavior, where resistances can be reversibly changed by applying different voltages. So far, the RS effect has been demonstrated in many metal oxide and organic materials, such as SiO2, HfO2, P3HT, PVK, etc. The use of biomaterials in electronic devices has also drawn considerable attention recently, driven by the rapid development of technology coupled with the growing interests toward green electronics.

Biomaterials are abundant, eco-friendly, and suitable for large-area implementation, which make them of great interest for applications such as flexible displays and wearable technologies. As green electronics continue to advance, the development of a facile approach to fabricate a biomaterial-based memory device becomes critical to pave the way for implementation of low-cost and green electronic devices.

Previous studies have been done on the use of biomaterials for resistive memory devices. Some involve DNA sequence control, while others may require external doping of guest components. The addition of nanoparticles, for example, provides an easy route to tune the electrical properties of the composites. However, uniform dispersion and compatibility of the hybrid composites may be difficult to control. Furthermore, some reported devices need to be operated under controlled environmental conditions. These features increase complexity when it comes to practical implementation and device integration.

This study reports on the fabrication of resistive switching devices based on natural DNA biomaterial. The raw DNA material is isolated from salmon milt, which is randomly sequenced with a wide range of distribution of base pairs. Such DNA can be readily extracted from biological species and is abundant in nature.

In the present device, the structure consists of a spin-coated DNA layer sandwiched by two electrodes without DNA sequence control or external doping of nanoparticles. The fabricated devices show a reliable resistive switching behavior with low switching voltages, data retention longer than 104 s, and more than 180 times in memory endurance under ambient conditions. The device also shows multi-level memory characteristics, in which the current levels can be controlled by reset voltages.

To study the underlying switching mechanisms, the electrical properties are examined under different fabrication parameters and measurement conditions. This demonstration shows that reliable memory devices operated under ambient conditions can be realized within a single macro-molecule based on natural DNA biomaterial. The ease of material handling and device fabrication may lead to future development for biomaterial-based multifunctional devices or green electronic devices.

This work was done by Huei-Yau Jeng, Tzu-Chien Yang, Li Yang, Hsin-Lung Chen, and Yu-Chueh Hung of National Tsing Hua University and James G. Grote for the Air Force Research Laboratory. AFRL-0259

Topics:
Aerodynamics Aeronautics Aerospace Aviation Biomaterials Composite materials Composites Data Acquisition Data Acquisition Drag Education and training Electronics & Computers Fabrication Manufacturing & Prototyping Manufacturing processes Materials Materials handling Mechanical Components People and personalities Reliability Research and development
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Document cover
Natural DNA-Based Nonvolatile Resistive Switching Memory

(reference AFRL-0259) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

Don't have an account?

More From SAE Media Group

    Magazine cover
    Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine

    This article first appeared in the February, 2018 issue of Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine (Vol. 3 No. 1).

    Read more articles from this issue here.

    Read more articles from the archives here.

    Overview

    The document titled "Natural DNA-Based Nonvolatile Resistive Switching Memory (Preprint)" presents research on a novel memory device utilizing natural DNA as a biomaterial for resistive switching applications. Authored by a team from National Tsing Hua University and the Air Force Research Laboratory, the report details the development and characterization of a resistive switching memory device that operates at room temperature without the need for encapsulation.

    The study addresses the growing demand for efficient and cost-effective memory elements in the information era, emphasizing the importance of resistive switching (RS) behavior, where resistance can be reversibly altered by applying different voltages. Traditional memory devices often rely on metal oxides and organic materials, but this research explores the potential of biomaterials, particularly DNA, which is abundant, eco-friendly, and suitable for large-area applications.

    The device structure consists of a spin-coated layer of natural DNA, isolated from salmon milt, sandwiched between two electrodes. Notably, the fabrication process does not involve DNA sequence control or external doping with nanoparticles, simplifying the manufacturing process. The results demonstrate that the DNA-based device exhibits reliable resistive switching behavior, characterized by low switching voltages, a data retention time exceeding 10,000 seconds, and the ability to endure more than 180 cycles in memory endurance testing.

    The findings indicate that the use of natural DNA can lead to the realization of reliable memory devices based on a single macromolecule, paving the way for advancements in green electronics. The research highlights the underlying physics that could be leveraged for the design and fabrication of natural DNA-based optoelectronics, suggesting a promising direction for future studies in biomaterial applications in electronic devices.

    Overall, this interim report contributes to the field of memory technology by showcasing the feasibility of using natural DNA as a core component in resistive switching memory devices, emphasizing its potential for sustainable and innovative electronic solutions. The work is part of a broader effort to develop environmentally friendly materials for electronic applications, aligning with the growing interest in green technology. The document is approved for public release, indicating its significance and relevance to ongoing research in materials science and engineering.

    Top Stories

    INSIDERRF & Microwave Electronics

    Feature Image FAA to Replace Aging Network of Ground-Based Radars

    PodcastsDefense

    Feature Image A New Additive Manufacturing Accelerator for the U.S. Navy in Guam

    NewsSoftware

    Feature Image Rewriting the Engineer’s Playbook: What OEMs Must Do to Spin the AI Flywheel

    Road ReadyPower

    Feature Image 2026 Toyota RAV4 Review: All Hybrid, All the Time

    INSIDERDefense

    Feature Image F-22 Pilot Controls Drone With Tablet

    INSIDERRF & Microwave Electronics

    Feature Image L3Harris Starts Low Rate Production Of New F-16 Viper Shield

    Webcasts