Researchers at the University of Bath in the UK have developed silicon chips that mimic the electrical activity of neurons. The artificial neurons on silicon chips – a first-of-its-kind achievement [1] with enormous scope for medical devices to cure chronic diseases, such as heart failure, Alzheimer’s and other diseases of neuronal degeneration.

Critically the artificial neurons not only behave just like biological neurons but only need one billionth the power of a microprocessor, making them figure 1 shown below ideally suited for use in medical implants and other bio-electronic devices.

Figure 1: Artificial neurons on silicon chips

The research team, led by the University of Bath and including researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Zurich and Auckland, describe the artificial neurons in a study published in Nature Communications.

Artificial neurons on silicon chips that behave just like the real thing have been invented by scientists - a first-of-its-kind achievement with enormous scope for medical devices to cure [2] chronic diseases, such as heart failure, Alzheimer's, and other diseases of neuronal degeneration.

Critically the artificial neurons not only behave just like biological neurons but only need one billionth the power of a microprocessor, making them ideally suited for use in medical implants and other bio-electronic devices.

Designing artificial neurons that respond to electrical signals from the nervous system like real neurons has been a major goal in medicine for decades, as it [3] opens up the possibility of curing conditions where neurons are not working properly, have had their processes severed as in spinal cord injury, or have died. Artificial neurons could repair diseased bio-circuits by replicating their healthy function and responding adequately to biological feedback to restore bodily function.

In heart failure for example, neurons in the base of the brain do not respond properly to nervous system feedback, they in turn do not send the right signals to the heart, which then does not pump as hard as it should.

Other possible applications could be in the treatment of conditions like Alzheimer’s and neuronal degenerative diseases more generally, Nogaret suggested. “Our approach combines several breakthroughs. We can very [4] accurately estimate the precise parameters that control any neurons behavior with high certainty. We have created physical models of the hardware and demonstrated its ability to successfully mimic the behavior of real living neurons. Our third breakthrough is the versatility of our model which allows for the inclusion of different types and functions of a range of complex mammalian neurons.”

Study co-author Giacomo Indiveri, PhD, from the University of Zurich and ETF Zurich, commented, this work opens new horizons for neuromorphic chip design thanks to its unique approach to identifying crucial analog circuit parameters.

References:

1. https://www.medgadget.com/2019/12/silicon-chips-as-artificial-neurons.html
2. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20191203/Scientists-develop-artificial-neurons-on-silicon-chips.aspx
3. https://scienceinfo.net/the-worlds-first-artificial-neuron-was-developed-on-a-silicon-chip.html
4. https://www.genengnews.com/news/artificial-neurons-on-a-chip-developed-to-treat-chronic-diseases/

Cite this article:

Nandhinidwaraka, S (2021) The Artificial Neurons on Silicon Chips, Anatechmaz, pp. 43