The human brain has long been a source of inspiration for scientists seeking to create energy-efficient and high-performance computers. However, current advanced computer systems rely on solid materials, unlike the water and salt particles called ions that the brain uses as its medium. A team of researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and Sogang University in South Korea have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to significant progress in creating an artificial human brain.
Using ingredients similar to those used by the brain, the team created artificial brain cells called Iontronic memristors. These devices carry water and salt inside and are shaped like cones, measuring just 150 by 200 micrometers wide. The device remembers the amount of electrical charge that has passed through it, with variations in electrical charge leading to differences in ion movement.
Theoretical physicist Tim Kamsma from Utrecht University believes that this advancement is critical in creating computers that can mimic the communication patterns of the human brain using the same medium. This study demonstrates that complex information processing can be achieved using water and salt, replicating neuronal behavior using a system that employs the same medium as the brain.
This development paves the way for advancements in computing technology that can perform like a human brain. The results of this study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In conclusion, researchers have made a significant discovery by creating artificial neurological junctions known as synapses using a mixture of water and salt. This development paves the way for advancements in computing technology that can perform like a human brain, providing hope for new breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics.