Is there any info about discrete memristors, will there ever be such things, or will all products be only integrated solutions? By discrete memristor I mean part comparable to an individual resistor or transistor. Something elementary, which the electronics-geek in me could play with.
According to Williams, you can't make big memristors - the effect is due to micro mechanisms. Given that, it doesn't make much sense to make "single" memristors.
Memristor-like components have existed since 1960 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADALINE). There is no demand for a discrete component so I doubt anyone would start making them. You could make an analogous device with a microcontroller, but that kind of defeats the purpose. Anyway its an elementary circuit element, so its behavior is fully described and not super exciting.
Weren't those super-expensive? You know, the reason resistors are basic elements is among others that they're cheap..
I think a simple SiO layer, which is what this newest memristor tech is based on, could be super cheap.
Even if you can't build "big memristors", you could just parallel thousands of them in a single package. Then, they would start being approachable.
Besides, tiny capacitance hasn't stopped anyone from using the likes of varicaps, and huge inductance never stopped anyone from using an inductor. They have their place.
I, for one, want to see a discrete Memristor in all shapes and sizes. If we don't try it, and don't experiment with it, we might be shutting out 1/4 of all electronics.
Luckily, a lot of electronics companies do feel their responsibility as educators. That's why we have samples (I'll teach you to use my chip, and if you become an important circuit designer you'll use my chips in your designs), that's why we have lots of antiquated chips still in production (stuff like OTAs which is of interest only to miniscule hobbyist groups), that's why we can still buy devices in units.
