Computer Chip Which Mimics Human Brain Cells Developed At MIT
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Oct 18, 2024
Oct 18, 2024
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Inching closer to a computer chip mimicking human brain cells, scientists at MIT have successfully developed a cell which can be called to be its close copy. Humans are more adept at getting used to latest facts and can do a job better than other animals. In other words, human brain has 'plasticity'. Â The team of researchers is trying to know more about the plasticity exhibited by brain in processing new information.
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Fabricated analog very-large-scale integration (VLSI) chip used to mimic neuronal processes involved in memory and learning. | Image Credit: Guy Rachmuth.
A paper which talked about this chip published in November 14 issue of #-Link-Snipped-#. The research dwells deeper in to the learning and memory aspect of brain cells resulted in development of a silicon chip. The chip consists of about 400 transistors which co-ordinate in transmitting information from one neuron to the other in much similar fashion as the actual process happens. This relation is called a synapse and will help neurologists get a deeper insight into the working of human brain.
While working practically, a synapse is a gap between a single neuron with many other neurons. As per an estimate, an average human brain consists of 100 billion of such neurons. In neuron-neuron communicating the first neuron also called as presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters which bind the receptors on the post-synaptic cell membrane. This action results in activation of ion channel involving potential difference. The team of researchers has designed the chips so that the transistors can copy this action and work similar to a human brain. The electric channel circuit of these transistors can be altered to resemble the working of brain's ion channels.
The team feels that apart from understanding the functioning of brain, the research will have many potential applications. MIT researchers are also talking about machine-biological interface. The chip may also eventually become a basic building block of artificial intelligence. Hence taking robotics and computing closer to human capabilities than present.
#-Link-Snipped-#
Fabricated analog very-large-scale integration (VLSI) chip used to mimic neuronal processes involved in memory and learning. | Image Credit: Guy Rachmuth.
A paper which talked about this chip published in November 14 issue of #-Link-Snipped-#. The research dwells deeper in to the learning and memory aspect of brain cells resulted in development of a silicon chip. The chip consists of about 400 transistors which co-ordinate in transmitting information from one neuron to the other in much similar fashion as the actual process happens. This relation is called a synapse and will help neurologists get a deeper insight into the working of human brain.
While working practically, a synapse is a gap between a single neuron with many other neurons. As per an estimate, an average human brain consists of 100 billion of such neurons. In neuron-neuron communicating the first neuron also called as presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters which bind the receptors on the post-synaptic cell membrane. This action results in activation of ion channel involving potential difference. The team of researchers has designed the chips so that the transistors can copy this action and work similar to a human brain. The electric channel circuit of these transistors can be altered to resemble the working of brain's ion channels.
The team feels that apart from understanding the functioning of brain, the research will have many potential applications. MIT researchers are also talking about machine-biological interface. The chip may also eventually become a basic building block of artificial intelligence. Hence taking robotics and computing closer to human capabilities than present.