diff --git a/ngclearn/components/neurons/spiking/LIFCell.py b/ngclearn/components/neurons/spiking/LIFCell.py
index 9f1e69b4b..55986aed2 100644
--- a/ngclearn/components/neurons/spiking/LIFCell.py
+++ b/ngclearn/components/neurons/spiking/LIFCell.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 from ngclearn.components.jaxComponent import JaxComponent
 from ngclearn.utils.diffeq.ode_utils import get_integrator_code, \
                                             step_euler, step_rk2
+from ngclearn.utils.surrogate_fx import straight_through_estimator
 
 @jit
 def _update_times(t, s, tols):
@@ -235,6 +236,9 @@ def __init__(self, name, n_units, tau_m, resist_m=1., thr=-52., v_rest=-65.,
         self.batch_size = 1
         self.n_units = n_units
 
+        ## set up surrogate function for spike emission
+        self.spike_fx, self.d_spike_fx = straight_through_estimator()
+
         ## Compartment setup
         restVals = jnp.zeros((self.batch_size, self.n_units))
         thr0 = 0.
@@ -249,10 +253,11 @@ def __init__(self, name, n_units, tau_m, resist_m=1., thr=-52., v_rest=-65.,
         self.rfr = Compartment(restVals + self.refract_T)
         self.thr_theta = Compartment(restVals + thr0)
         self.tols = Compartment(restVals) ## time-of-last-spike
+        self.surrogate = Compartment(restVals + 1.)  ## surrogate signal
 
     @staticmethod
     def _advance_state(t, dt, tau_m, R_m, v_rest, v_reset, v_decay, refract_T,
-                       thr, tau_theta, theta_plus, one_spike, intgFlag,
+                       thr, tau_theta, theta_plus, one_spike, intgFlag, d_spike_fx,
                        key, j, v, s, rfr, thr_theta, tols):
         skey = None ## this is an empty dkey if single_spike mode turned off
         if one_spike: ## old code ~> if self.one_spike is False:
@@ -260,6 +265,7 @@ def _advance_state(t, dt, tau_m, R_m, v_rest, v_reset, v_decay, refract_T,
         ## run one integration step for neuronal dynamics
         #j = _modify_current(j, dt, tau_m, R_m) ## re-scale current in prep for volt ODE
         j = j * R_m
+        surrogate = d_spike_fx(j)
         v, s, raw_spikes, rfr = _run_cell(dt, j, v, thr, thr_theta, rfr, skey,
                                           tau_m, v_rest, v_reset, v_decay, refract_T,
                                           intgFlag)
@@ -268,10 +274,10 @@ def _advance_state(t, dt, tau_m, R_m, v_rest, v_reset, v_decay, refract_T,
             thr_theta = _update_theta(dt, thr_theta, raw_spikes, tau_theta, theta_plus)
         ## update tols
         tols = _update_times(t, s, tols)
-        return v, s, raw_spikes, rfr, thr_theta, tols, key
+        return v, s, raw_spikes, rfr, thr_theta, tols, key, surrogate
 
     @resolver(_advance_state)
-    def advance_state(self, v, s, s_raw, rfr, thr_theta, tols, key):
+    def advance_state(self, v, s, s_raw, rfr, thr_theta, tols, key, surrogate):
         self.v.set(v)
         self.s.set(s)
         self.s_raw.set(s_raw)
@@ -279,6 +285,7 @@ def advance_state(self, v, s, s_raw, rfr, thr_theta, tols, key):
         self.thr_theta.set(thr_theta)
         self.tols.set(tols)
         self.key.set(key)
+        self.surrogate.set(surrogate)
 
     @staticmethod
     def _reset(batch_size, n_units, v_rest, refract_T):
@@ -290,10 +297,11 @@ def _reset(batch_size, n_units, v_rest, refract_T):
         rfr = restVals + refract_T
         #thr_theta = restVals ## do not reset thr_theta
         tols = restVals #+ 0
-        return j, v, s, s_raw, rfr, tols
+        surrogate = restVals + 1.
+        return j, v, s, s_raw, rfr, tols, surrogate
 
     @resolver(_reset)
-    def reset(self, j, v, s, s_raw, rfr, tols):
+    def reset(self, j, v, s, s_raw, rfr, tols, surrogate):
         self.j.set(j)
         self.v.set(v)
         self.s.set(s)
@@ -301,6 +309,7 @@ def reset(self, j, v, s, s_raw, rfr, tols):
         self.rfr.set(rfr)
         #self.thr_theta.set(thr_theta)
         self.tols.set(tols)
+        self.surrogate.set(surrogate)
 
     def save(self, directory, **kwargs):
         file_name = directory + "/" + self.name + ".npz"