Scientists have created a computer model that shows that carbon nanotubes have the capacity to be utilized for the creation of artificial neurons. University of Southern California scientists have discovered that the unique electrical properties of carbon nanotubes could allow for the mimicry of real brain cells. This could even allow for the creation of an artificial brain that is composed of the synthetic artificial brain cells.
Carbon nanotubes are in reality extremely small structures that are only 1/50,000th the width of human hair. They are composed of a honeycomb pattern of carbon atoms arranged in a tube type of shape. Carbon nanotubes have the capacity to conduct electricity and have been utilized for a variety of new types of technologies.
In the very recent past, researchers have found that carbon nanotubes could serve as junction communication points between two different brain cells. This type of communication could allow signals to pass between the two neurons electrically. So the carbon nanotubes would basically act as a replacement artificial synapse connection.
The scientist who is working on this believes that carbon nanotubes are really ideal because of their specific properties. They can construct a 3-dimensional structure that could enable increased functional connectivity in practically any direction. A prosthesis constructed from this type of material would also be able to better interact with actual brain tissue.
Carbon nanotube artificial neurons could eventually be implanted directly within a person's existing brain. This kind of implant could concievably allow for the replacement of brain cells that had been damaged. A brain implant of this nature has the capacity to treat a host of different brain problems that are currently not very easily amenable to treatment.
DARPA, a government agency, is actually now carrying out new work that is similar to this artificial carbon nanotube neuron. DARPA is attempting to create a cat level AI using what is called neuromorphic engineering. Neuromorphic engineering describes the field that seeks to copy the functioning of the brain using a silicon computer type microchip.
Artificial neurons that are synthesized from carbon nanotubes may be able to be extremely computationally efficient and could be much smaller than an actual neuron. This would enable scientists to squeeze more power into a higher density area. That would allow an artificial synthetic brain to be much tinier than our actual brain.
It's probably a little too early to say for certain whether this research will actually lead to the development of artificial neurons that function in a similar manner that real brain cells do. There are a lot of complicated interactions that happen within the brain and it is still not clear whether this can be replicated with a chip. However, this scientific research has enormous potential for future medical development. - 15437
Carbon nanotubes are in reality extremely small structures that are only 1/50,000th the width of human hair. They are composed of a honeycomb pattern of carbon atoms arranged in a tube type of shape. Carbon nanotubes have the capacity to conduct electricity and have been utilized for a variety of new types of technologies.
In the very recent past, researchers have found that carbon nanotubes could serve as junction communication points between two different brain cells. This type of communication could allow signals to pass between the two neurons electrically. So the carbon nanotubes would basically act as a replacement artificial synapse connection.
The scientist who is working on this believes that carbon nanotubes are really ideal because of their specific properties. They can construct a 3-dimensional structure that could enable increased functional connectivity in practically any direction. A prosthesis constructed from this type of material would also be able to better interact with actual brain tissue.
Carbon nanotube artificial neurons could eventually be implanted directly within a person's existing brain. This kind of implant could concievably allow for the replacement of brain cells that had been damaged. A brain implant of this nature has the capacity to treat a host of different brain problems that are currently not very easily amenable to treatment.
DARPA, a government agency, is actually now carrying out new work that is similar to this artificial carbon nanotube neuron. DARPA is attempting to create a cat level AI using what is called neuromorphic engineering. Neuromorphic engineering describes the field that seeks to copy the functioning of the brain using a silicon computer type microchip.
Artificial neurons that are synthesized from carbon nanotubes may be able to be extremely computationally efficient and could be much smaller than an actual neuron. This would enable scientists to squeeze more power into a higher density area. That would allow an artificial synthetic brain to be much tinier than our actual brain.
It's probably a little too early to say for certain whether this research will actually lead to the development of artificial neurons that function in a similar manner that real brain cells do. There are a lot of complicated interactions that happen within the brain and it is still not clear whether this can be replicated with a chip. However, this scientific research has enormous potential for future medical development. - 15437
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New ways to enhance brain functioning are also discussed on my blog. Clinical trials for brain strokes are also mentioned.
