Arithmetic and Biologically-Inspired Computing Using Phase-Change Materials

Phase-change materials offer a promising route for the practical realisation of new forms of general-purpose and 'brain-like' computers. An experimental proof-of-principle of such remakable capabilities is presented that includes (i) the reliable execution by a phase-change 'processor' of the four basic arithmetic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, (ii) the demonstration of an 'integrate and fire' hardware neuron using a single phase-change cell and (iii) the expostion of synaptic-like functionality via the 'memflector', an optical analogue of the memristor.