The emerging field of Neuromorphic Biomaterials combines principles from physics, neuroscience, materials science, biology, mathematics, psychology, and computer science to develop models for understanding the molecular basis of biological memory, as a therapeutic target for brain diseases that do not respond to drugs targeting proteins and as a platform for artificial neural network developments and memory computing architectures. The interdisciplinary research effort also aims to develop materials that can enhance neural interfaces, regenerative medicine, and neuroengineering applications, emulating brain function. These biomaterials can be utilized to improve the performance of neuroprosthetic devices, neural implants, and tissue-engineered constructs. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together local experts from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to discuss this advancing research initiative.
The workshop will be held on August 23, 2023 at the UTK Student Union in Room 169. The schedule includes 20-minute talks from UTK and ORNL researchers along with perspectives from UTK leadership. We sincerely hope you can join us for the exciting discussions.
Agenda
Workshop on Neuromorphic Biomaterials Initiative
August 23, 2023
UTK Student Union – 1502 Cumberland Avenue – Room 169
| 11:30am – 11:50am | Refreshments |
| 11:50am – 12:00pm | Welcome Adrian Del Maestro, Professor & Head UTK Department of Physics & Astronomy |
| 12:00pm-12:10pm | New Initiatives Brad Day, Associate Vice Chancellor UTK Division of Research & Innovation Initiatives |
| 12:10pm-12:20pm | Opening Remarks John Katsaras, Distinguished R&D Staff & Joint Faculty Professor ORNL Neutron Scattering Division UTK Department of Physics & Astronomy |
| 12:20pm – 1:00pm | Working Lunch |
| 1:00pm-1:20pm | Molecular Insights Into Learning and Memory: Long-Term Potentiation in Biomembranes Dima Bolmatov, Research Assistant Professor UTK Department of Physics & Astronomy |
| 1:20pm – 1:40pm | Short-Term, Long-Term, and Heterosynaptic Plasticity of Memristive and Memcapacitive Lipid Bilayer Membranes for Neuromorphic Applications Pat Collier, Staff Scientist ORNL Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences |
| 1:40pm – 2:00pm | Membrane-based Artificial Synapses for Neuromorphic Signal Processing Andy Sarles, James Conklin Fellow & Associate Professor UTK Department of Mechanical, Aerospace & Biomedical Engineering |
| 2:00pm – 2:20pm | Application-Hardware-Materials Co-Design for Neuromorphic Systems Catherine Schuman, Assistant Professor UTK Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science |
| 2:20pm – 2:40pm | Nanostructuring Biomedically Relevant Surfaces: From Polymer Brushes to Graphene Rigoberto Advincula, Governor’s Chair for Advanced & Nanostructured Materials UTK Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering ORNL Center for Nanophase Materials Science |
| 2:40pm – 3:00pm | Harmonizing Neuromorphic Computing and State-Dependent Neurobiology Ralph Lydic, Professor UTK Department of Psychology |
| 3:00pm – 3:15pm | Coffee Break |
| 3:15pm – 3:30pm | Closing Remarks Jon Phipps, Director of Operations UTK Institute for Advanced Materials & Manufacturing |
Workshop Organizers:
- Dima Bolmatov, Research Assistant Professor
UTK Department of Physics & Astronomy - John Katsaras, Distinguished R&D Staff & Joint Faculty Professor
ORNL Neutron Scattering Division
UTK Department of Physics & Astronomy - Maxim Lavrentovich, Assistant Professor
UTK Department of Physics & Astronomy
Workshop Attendees:
- Ahmedullah Aziz, Assistant Professor
UTK Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science - Patrick Grzanka, Divisional Dean & Professor
UTK Division of Social Sciences - Kate Jones, Divisional Dean & Professor
UTK Division of Natural Sciences & Mathematics - Ozlem Kilic, Interim Vice Provost
UTK Academic Affairs - Jaan Mannik, Professor
UTK Department of Physics & Astronomy - Jeremy Smith, Governor’s Chair for Molecular Biophysics & Director
UTK Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology
UTK-ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics - Alexei Sokolov, Governor’s Chair for Polymer Science
UTK Department of Chemistry
ORNL Chemical Sciences Division
Additional Information:
- Parking: If you do not have a UT parking tag you will need to park in the public parking garage, 1545 White Avenue, and walk to the Student Union.
- August 23rd is the first day of classes at the university. Please allow additional time for parking, and for navigating pedestrian and vehicle traffic on campus.