Researchers once discovered that sea slugs undergo sensitization in response to unexpected stimuli. We have now discovered that nickel oxide has a similar feature. We exposed nickel oxide to hydrogen-only and regular air environments, alternating between the two. Nickel oxide’s electrical conductivity changed less with more exposure to hydrogen. In other words, it became habituated to it. This finding may have relevance in the field of artificial intelligence, which usually focuses on software approaches. It may also allow nickel oxide or similar materials to serve as building blocks for future computers. There is still much unknown, however, about time scales and whether different learning behaviors can be produced.
Key Takeaways:
- Nickel oxide experiences changes in electrical conductivity that resembles learning behavior.
- When faced with a changing environment, nickel oxide became habituated to the presence of hydrogen.
- Artificial intelligence usually focuses on software-based approaches, but the learning abilities of materials should be studied also.
“For over half a century, neuroscientists have studied sea slugs to understand basic animal learning.”
