Researcher Develops Chemical Circuit Using Ion Transistors 27
cylonlover writes news of ion based logic gates. From the article: "While the silicon chips found in the electronic devices that we rely on every day are built around the flow of electrons through circuits, with the development of an 'integrated chemical chip,' a doctoral student in Organic Electronics at Sweden's Linköping University has created the basis for an entirely new circuit technology based on the transmission of ions and molecules. Like silicon-based chips, the integrated chemical chip contains logic gates, such as NAND gates, that form the basis of digital electronics by allowing for the construction of all logical functions."
Nice -- a bespoke neuron. (Score:5, Interesting)
This is the sort of thing we need to see real progress in neural integration.
Re:Nice -- a bespoke neuron. (Score:5, Interesting)
We're going to need a LOT more knowledge about how neurons, axions, and other brain components work first. Just because the circuit is based on ions doesn't mean it's anything at all like an animal's brain works. Note that TFS says "Like silicon-based chips, the integrated chemical chip contains logic gates, such as NAND gates, that form the basis of digital electronics by allowing for the construction of all logical functions."
Your brain contains no digital circutry. The brain is analog, not binary.
However, if you're referring to cybernetic implants to help those suffering from brain damage, then perhaps. I don't know enough about the brain or these ionic logic gates to be able to tell. I'm pretty sure there's going to need a hell of a lot more research on the brain to find out.
I've always wondered why they haven't studied insect brains. Flies do way more complex things than any robot so far invented, and would surely be easier to understand than the workings of a mammal brain.
Wrong path? (Score:5, Interesting)