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Discovery News on a new chip pinging rat nerve - "A rat nerve cell attached to a semiconductor chip has exchanged a signal with the chip, an achievement that could lead to organic computers that process information like a brain, say researchers. In the long term, the technology also could lead to prosthetic limbs that are controlled by a person's brain and nerves. " - Link.
Pictured here, Rat Nerve on Chip - Peter Fromherz - This image shows the rat neuron on a transistor. Scientists registered communication between the chip and the neuron, bringing thinking computers and brain-controlled artificial limbs closer to reality.
I have a friend who works on rat brains, reading patterns in reponse to stimuli and studying patterns etc. when i asked about how they interface to the preimplanted sensors in their brains, he mentioned that that they all have 9 pin serial ports wired to them. While this was a pretty amusing image, I just couldn't resist asking: "you guys got any usb mice?"
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this is really exciting...i keep envisioning 'ghost in the shell' type scenarios. never mind cell phones with video cameras and mp3 players; give me a cyberbrain and enhanced strength and dexterity. maybe a hot-swappable prosthetic tool arm.
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