RMIT University researchers have mimicked the way the human brain processes information with the development of an electronic long-term memory cell.
Researchers at the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) have built the one of the world’s first electronic multi-state memory cell which mirrors the brain’s ability to simultaneously process and store multiple strands of information.
The development brings them closer to imitating key electronic aspects of the human brain – a vital step towards creating a bionic brain – which could help unlock successful treatments for common neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
The discovery was recently published in the prestigious materials science journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Project leader Dr Sharath Sriram, co-leader of the RMIT Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group, said the ground-breaking development imitates the way the brain uses long-term memory.
“This is the closest we have come to creating a brain-like system with memory that learns and stores analog information and is quick at retrieving this stored information,” Dr Sharath said.
“The human brain is an extremely complex analog computer… its evolution is based on its previous experiences, and up until now this functionality has not been able to be adequately reproduced with digital technology.”
The ability to create highly dense and ultra-fast analog memory cells paves the way for imitating highly sophisticated biological neural networks, he said.
The research builds on RMIT’s previous discovery where ultra-fast nano-scale memories were developed using a functional oxide material in the form of an ultra-thin film – 10,000 times thinner than a human hair.
Dr Hussein Nili, lead author of the study, said: “This new discovery is significant as it allows the multi-state cell to store and process information in the very same way that the brain does.
“Think of an old camera which could only take pictures in black and white. The same analogy applies here, rather than just black and white memories we now have memories in full color with shade, light and texture, it is a major step.”
While these new devices are able to store much more information than conventional digital memories (which store just 0s and 1s), it is their brain-like ability to remember and retain previous information that is exciting.
“We have now introduced controlled faults or defects in the oxide material along with the addition of metallic atoms, which unleashes the full potential of the ‘memristive’ effect – where the memory element’s behaviour is dependent on its past experiences,” Dr Nili said.
Nano-scale memories are precursors to the storage components of the complex artificial intelligence network needed to develop a bionic brain.
Dr Nili said the research had myriad practical applications including the potential for scientists to replicate the human brain outside of the body.
Read more: Nano memory cell can mimic the brain’s long-term memory
The Latest on: Nano memory cell
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Nano memory cell” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Nano memory cell
- Newly Developed Nanomaterial Mimics the Behavior of Proteinson April 26, 2024 at 7:48 am
A newly developed nanomaterial that mimics the behavior of proteins could be an effective tool for treating Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The nanomaterial alters the interaction ...
- Stellar Blade trophy guide: Full list of trophies and the Platinumon April 26, 2024 at 3:36 am
These are made up of 27 Bronze, 12 Silver, three Gold and one Platinum trophy. Two further Bronze trophies are available to collect as part of the day-one free DLC that adds New Game Plus - however, ...
- Nanomaterial that mimics proteins could be basis for new neurodegenerative disease treatmentson April 25, 2024 at 9:25 am
In 2022, the Johnsons and another group of collaborators found that increasing Nrf2 activity in a specific cell type in the brain, the astrocyte, helped protect neurons in mouse models of Alzheimer's ...
- NANOBIOTIX Provides Business Update and Reports Full Year 2023 Financial Resultson April 24, 2024 at 9:40 am
April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NANOBIOTIX (Euronext: NANO - NASDAQ: NBTX - the “Company”), a late-clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering physics-based approaches to expand treatment ...
- 3 Technologies to Challenge NAND Flash Dominance in AIon April 24, 2024 at 4:19 am
Artificial intelligence (AI) applications and platforms are growing like weeds. The arms race for AI superiority continues to be waged between the chip makers trying to chip away at Nvidia Co. (NASDAQ ...
- Nanotechnology Market to Surpass USD 53.51 Billion by 2031 | SkyQuest Technologyon April 23, 2024 at 8:43 am
SkyQuest projects that the nanotechnology market will attain a value of USD 53.51 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 36.4% over the forecast period (2024-2031). The increasing demand for nanotechnology ...
- Immune Cells Carry a Long-Lasting “Memory” of Early-Life Painon April 22, 2024 at 11:17 pm
Research in mice indicates that focusing on genetic alterations in macrophage cells could be beneficial. Recent research increasingly suggests that the human body can retain memories of pain from ...
- Nanosensor Diagnoses Disease in 30 Minutes by Monitoring Inflammationon April 20, 2024 at 10:21 am
The new sensor completes its task in just 30 minutes but also proves to be cost-effective. Promising for multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's treatments.
- ASUS 14-Inch Chromebook CM14 Unveiled With MediaTek Processor And All-Day Battery Lifeon April 19, 2024 at 9:33 am
ASUS has unveiled its latest addition to the Chromebook lineup, the 14-inch ASUS Chromebook CM14 (CM1402C), designed to enhance productivity ...
- The 7 best cell phones of 2024 go way, way beyond talking and textingon April 18, 2024 at 11:01 am
Display size and type: How easy is the phone to hold in your hand? The display size dictates the size of the smartphone and how much content you can see. The display type, refresh rate, and maximum ...
via Bing News