Electrical characterization of the alleged bio-memristor Physarum polycephalum

This study investigates the potential of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum to function as a bio-memristor. In contrast to earlier reports, our experimental results did not show a significant memristive behavior. Instead, all tested slime molds exhibited elliptical I-V characteristics, attributed to their inherent capacitance. To model this behavior, we developed replacement circuits consisting solely of resistors and capacitors, which accurately reproduced the observed results. While these circuits lack memristive properties, they demonstrate potential utility as sub-circuits in analog applications, such as filters, timing circuits, and phase shift networks. Despite it not being a memristor, P. polycephalum may hold promise for alternative bio-electronic applications, including its use in microbial fuel cells. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the electrical properties of bio-inspired systems and suggest new avenues for integrating biological components into electronic circuits.