JNCASR builds frog-inspired, humidity-responsive brain-like sensor
JNCASR researchers have built a humidity-responsive neuromorphic sensor from 1D supramolecular nanofibres, inspired by cricket frogs, that senses, processes and stores information in one device, DST said on 9 April 2026.
Summary
Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a humidity-responsive neuromorphic sensor based on 1D supramolecular nanofibres, DST said on 9 April 2026. The device combines sensing with synapse-like processing and short-term memory in a single platform, which could cut energy use compared with conventional electronics that use separate units. It was inspired by cricket frogs, whose synaptic behaviour is highly sensitive to moisture and daylight, and its response can also be influenced by light. The nanofibres were grown from a charge-transfer complex of donor and acceptor molecules. The researchers said it is the first time humidity has been used as the primary stimulus to emulate synaptic behaviour in a neuromorphic device. The work was published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C.
Key facts
- Institute
- JNCASR (autonomous institute of DST)
- Device
- Humidity-responsive neuromorphic sensor, 1D supramolecular nanofibres
- Inspiration
- Cricket frogs
- First
- Humidity as primary stimulus for synaptic behaviour
- Journal
- Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Practice MCQs 2 questions
JNCASR's humidity-responsive neuromorphic sensor, announced in April 2026, was inspired by which animal?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Cricket frogs
DST said the sensor was inspired by amphibian frogs, particularly cricket frogs, whose synaptic behaviour is highly moisture-sensitive.
Consider the following statements about the JNCASR neuromorphic sensor: 1. JNCASR, which developed it, is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology. 2. The device relies on a separate sensing unit and a separate memristive element for processing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the point of the device is that it integrates sensing and synapse-like processing in a single platform, unlike most neuromorphic sensors that use separate units.