Using memristors to handle cell failures in flexible networks: From programmed cell death to zombies

Within a network, cells may fail in multiple ways. It is important that such cells be both identified and isolated from the network as a whole to both allow the failing cell's tasks to be reallocated and for the prevention of cascade failures where a malfunctioning cell causes other cells to fail. We present a novel, low-power approach using simple memristor-based electrical circuits that provides autonomic handling of clock sync issues as well as supporting cell isolation by either the cell or the network and cell resurrection by the network.