Transforming memristor noises into computational innovations

Abstract Memristor-based compute-in-memory (CIM) systems show promise in accelerating various computing tasks with high energy efficiency, while various inherent noises in memristors, generally viewed as non-ideal characteristics, are detrimental to system performances. However, recent studies revea...

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Main Authors: Chenchen Ding, Yuan Ren, Zhengwu Liu, Ngai Wong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Communications Materials
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00876-2
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author Chenchen Ding
Yuan Ren
Zhengwu Liu
Ngai Wong
author_facet Chenchen Ding
Yuan Ren
Zhengwu Liu
Ngai Wong
author_sort Chenchen Ding
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Memristor-based compute-in-memory (CIM) systems show promise in accelerating various computing tasks with high energy efficiency, while various inherent noises in memristors, generally viewed as non-ideal characteristics, are detrimental to system performances. However, recent studies reveal that these noises can be harnessed to enable advanced computational functionalities, transforming challenges into opportunities. In this work, we systematically review the noise utilization strategies for these functionalities by categorizing them into two main types: ‘noise-based perturbators’ and ‘noise-based generators’. The former utilize noise to help systems escape local minima and improve global convergence, as seen in combinatorial optimization, and to enrich feature spaces, as seen in reservoir computing (RC). The latter employ noise to produce random numbers or distributions, as used in physical unclonable functions (PUF), stochastic computing (SC) with true random number generator (TRNG), and Bayesian neural network (BNN). By examining these approaches, we highlight the potential of memristor noises to enable functionalities that are challenging to achieve with conventional precise computing systems. Finally, we discuss the challenges ahead and provide an outlook for future research. This review aims to pave the way for memristor-based energy-efficient and resilient computing technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-980b0b6c5b334c2e8274e262f15517fa2025-08-20T04:03:02ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Materials2662-44432025-07-016111710.1038/s43246-025-00876-2Transforming memristor noises into computational innovationsChenchen Ding0Yuan Ren1Zhengwu Liu2Ngai Wong3Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongAbstract Memristor-based compute-in-memory (CIM) systems show promise in accelerating various computing tasks with high energy efficiency, while various inherent noises in memristors, generally viewed as non-ideal characteristics, are detrimental to system performances. However, recent studies reveal that these noises can be harnessed to enable advanced computational functionalities, transforming challenges into opportunities. In this work, we systematically review the noise utilization strategies for these functionalities by categorizing them into two main types: ‘noise-based perturbators’ and ‘noise-based generators’. The former utilize noise to help systems escape local minima and improve global convergence, as seen in combinatorial optimization, and to enrich feature spaces, as seen in reservoir computing (RC). The latter employ noise to produce random numbers or distributions, as used in physical unclonable functions (PUF), stochastic computing (SC) with true random number generator (TRNG), and Bayesian neural network (BNN). By examining these approaches, we highlight the potential of memristor noises to enable functionalities that are challenging to achieve with conventional precise computing systems. Finally, we discuss the challenges ahead and provide an outlook for future research. This review aims to pave the way for memristor-based energy-efficient and resilient computing technologies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00876-2
spellingShingle Chenchen Ding
Yuan Ren
Zhengwu Liu
Ngai Wong
Transforming memristor noises into computational innovations
Communications Materials
title Transforming memristor noises into computational innovations
title_full Transforming memristor noises into computational innovations
title_fullStr Transforming memristor noises into computational innovations
title_full_unstemmed Transforming memristor noises into computational innovations
title_short Transforming memristor noises into computational innovations
title_sort transforming memristor noises into computational innovations
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00876-2
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AT yuanren transformingmemristornoisesintocomputationalinnovations
AT zhengwuliu transformingmemristornoisesintocomputationalinnovations
AT ngaiwong transformingmemristornoisesintocomputationalinnovations