Carbon micro-threads connect brain with electronic circuits

We know that using computer keyboard efficiently is not everyone's cup of tea and the voice recognition technologies are yet to mature to recognise all the commands and accents. Engineers are already busy developing technology for the lazy ones so that you can command your computers and robots just by thinking of actions. The #-Link-Snipped-# has been one of the topics of interest for engineers. The latest discovery of carbon micro-threads is a significant step in this direction. Researchers at the University Of Pittsburg have developed what they call "stealthy neural interface" from a single carbon fiber which is delicate enough to shake hands with the neurons and resilient enough to last for several decades (~70 years).



These newly developed carbon micro-threads are 7 micro-meters thick (approximately 100 times thinner than the electrodes that were used to perform experiments with animals). These threads are wrapped with a protein layer so the body doesn't reject them right away. Each of this micro-thread pairs with each neuron and can control the pulses.

The researchers mention that they aren't planning to wire the brain left and right just yet; but whenever they are ready these tiny electrodes will come in very handy.

Via: #-Link-Snipped-#