Recent advances in self-healing organic memristors and transistors for neuromorphic and flexible electronics

Abstract The development of flexible and neuromorphic electronic devices relies on materials and systems that can sustain high performance despite mechanical deformation, fatigue, and environmental stress. Inspired by the self-repair mechanisms of human skin, self-healing materials present a promising approach to improving the durability, reliability, and lifespan of next-generation electronics. This review offers a comprehensive overview of self-healing processes in artificial materials, comparing them to biological healing. It discusses the fundamentals of biological synapses and their significance in neuromorphic computing and examines the intrinsic and extrinsic self-healing mechanisms used in electronic devices. Special emphasis is placed on designing and integrating self-healing functions into flexible transistors and memristors for neuromorphic applications, along with their role in creating resilient, adaptable, and stretchable flexible electronics. The key device requirements, current challenges, and future prospects for scalable manufacturing and material development are analyzed. By connecting biology-inspired strategies with flexible and neuromorphic electronics, self-healing technologies are set to significantly influence sustainable, reliable, and intelligent electronic systems across various fields.