Advanced Nanoelectronic Materials and Brain-Inspired Memristive Synapses (ANMABIMS) is a research group at Cranfield University's Composites and Advanced Materials Centre. Our lab has broad research interests in nanotechnology, focusing on nanoelectronics, novel nanofabrication methods, reconfigurable memristors, and large-area flexible electronics for emerging neuromorphic computing, artificial intelligence (AI), sensing, and energy applications. The group is dedicated to modelling, fabricating, and characterising novel nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices using advanced functional nanomaterials and innovative nanofabrication techniques. The group includes a team leader, post-docs, and PhD and master's students.
ANMABIMS develops the next generation of non-volatile memory devices and memristor-based artificial synapses for neuromorphic computing. The group also works on biocompatible and energy-efficient flexible memristors for sustainable wearable electronics and sensory applications. We pursue an interdisciplinary methodology to achieve mass-production fabrication of nanomaterials and nanodevices referring to grand engineering challenges via scientific insights into the revolutionary computational design for AI applications.
The group pioneers the designing, atomic-level characterisation, and manufacturing of nanoelectronic materials and nanodevices and utilises various advanced functional materials, from transitional metal oxides and phase change materials to polymers, nanocomposites, and biodegradable materials for memristor components.
Research interests
Current research interests lie in reconfigurable memristors and integrated nanoelectronics for emerging sensing, data storage, in-memory computing, AI, and neuromorphic computing applications. We also use biodegradable materials for implantable devices and wearable, flexible electronics with green manufacturing technologies.
Facilities
We have many world-class, large-scale and national facilities that enhance the quality and value of our research and teaching:
- Surface engineering and nanotechnology;
- X-ray fluorescence;
- Microscopy services and facilities;
- Composites and Advanced Materials Centre facilities and resources;
- Microengineering laboratory;
- Nano synthesis facilities, nano-embedded polymer and composite fabrication facilities, vacuum oven, also access to the composite manufacturing laboratory and Through-life Engineering Services Centre NDI facilities;
- Simulation software: molecular dynamics simulation (LAMMPS), COMSOL multiphysics, Abaqus, and ANSYS.
Research projects
Available projects in the ANMABIMS group include:
- Advanced Functional Materials and Devices for Next Generation Nanoelectronics;
- Flexible Organic Nanoelectronics with Transient Behaviours;
- Stretchable, Flexible, and Bendable Nanoelectronics for Data Storage Applications;
- Brain-inspired Artificial Synaptic Devices;
- Sustainable Nanofabrication of Resistive Switching Random Access Memories (ReRAMs) and Synaptic Devices;
- Memristor-based Energy-Efficient Artificial Synapses for Neuromorphic Computing;
- Nanomanufacturing of Biocompatible Flexible Nanoelectronic Devices;
- Solution-Processed Environmentally Benign Non-volatile Memories (NVM);
- Modelling and Simulation of Photonic Memristors and Synapses for Computing Systems.
Research students
Current research student
Mr Joel MacWan
Project title: Resistive Switching Model of Electrochemical Metallization Memristive Device: A Correlation between Electric Field and Thermal Effects
Aim of the project: To explain the resistive switching (RS) mechanism by producing a physical RS model based on the electrochemical-driven modulation of a metallic filament. We will show the detailed switching model based on the metallic conducting filament (CF) configuration and the interplay between the Joule heating and electric field effects in the Pt (grounded electrode)/oxide material (SiO2 or TiO2)/Ag (top electrode) ECM cell. We will recognise the behaviour of ECM-type memory via simulation.
