Yoeri van de Burgt
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Our research focuses on organic electronic materials to achieve smart adaptive biointerfaces, as well as locally trainable neuromorphic computing systems for efficient hardware-based machine learning and intelligent sensors. We aim to develop systems that can be used for safe point-of-care and smart health devices, and facilitate the crucial step towards energy-efficient artificial intelligence.
Yoeri van de Burgt is one of the pioneers and drivers of the young scientific field of “organic neuromorphic engineering”, which aims at the development of advanced computing and memory systems inspired by how the human brain works. One could view these devices as networks of artificial neurons connected by artificial synapses in which electrical signals are transmitted and stored, enabling highly efficient parallel computing and data storage, mimicking networks of neurons and synapses of our brains. Until recently, such networks could only be realized in software, based on existing silicon-based computer chips – still limited by the inefficiency, stiff mechanics, and high energy consumption of this technology. This fundamentally changed when Yoeri introduced his electrochemical neuromorphic organic device (ENODE), a unique polymer-based flexible artificial synapse, much more versatile and energy-efficient than the exiting silicon-based transistor, so that now the basic building block for organic neuromorphic computing became reality. Following this fundamental contribution, Yoeri continued shaping the field by development of versatile networked devices and novel materials, and by linking his research to other fields such as biology, microfluidics, and robotics. In doing this, he helps shape and grow the field of organic neuromorphic computing demonstrating excellent scientific leadership.