One of the greatest challenges facing artificial intelligence development is understanding the human brain and figuring out how to mimic it. Now, one group reports in ACS Nano that they have developed an artificial synapse capable of simulating a fundamental function of our nervous system — the release of inhibitory and stimulatory signals from the same “pre-synaptic” terminal.
The human nervous system is made up of over 100 trillion synapses, structures that allow neurons to pass electrical and chemical signals to one another. In mammals, these synapses can initiate and inhibit biological messages. Many synapses just relay one type of signal, whereas others can convey both types simultaneously or can switch between the two. To develop artificial intelligence systems that better mimic human learning, cognition and image recognition, researchers are imitating synapses in the lab with electronic components. Most current artificial synapses, however, are only capable of delivering one type of signal. So, Han Wang, Jing Guo and colleagues sought to create an artificial synapse that can reconfigurably send stimulatory and inhibitory signals.
The researchers developed a synaptic device that can reconfigure itself based on voltages applied at the input terminal of the device. A junction made of black phosphorus and tin selenide enables switching between the excitatory and inhibitory signals. This new device is flexible and versatile, which is highly desirable in artificial neural networks. In addition, the artificial synapses may simplify the design and functions of nervous system simulations.
Learn more: Hacking the human brain – lab-made synapses for artificial intelligence
The Latest on: Artificial synapses
[google_news title=”” keyword=”artificial synapses” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
- The Protocol: Meme Coins (and Pepe's Best Friend) Swarm Coinbase Layer 2 Chainon March 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm
The meme coin frenzy that drove up activity – and failed transactions – on Solana appears to have quickly migrated to Base, Coinbase's six-month-old layer-2 blockchain. Who is the blue-faced creature ...
- Round 1 starts for Tampa Bay Inno Madness, a bracket-style startup competitionon March 26, 2024 at 9:30 am
After weeks of fielding nominations and reporting, Tampa Bay Inn put together the first round of the annual competition Inno Madness.
- Ford Focus STon March 26, 2024 at 5:31 am
Expectations are high for Ford’s latest family-sized hot hatch. Can it live up to them?
- Artificial nanofluidic synapses can store computational memoryon March 25, 2024 at 1:48 pm
In a step toward nanofluidic-based neuromorphic -- or brain-inspired -- computing, engineers have succeeded in executing a logic operation by connecting two chips that use ions, rather than electrons, ...
- PSVR 2 future looks pretty bleak — is this the next Vita?on March 23, 2024 at 5:35 am
The PSVR 2 is a fantastic VR headset. I’ve written about that in the past, and I still believe it now. But it’s starting to draw unwelcome parallels to the PlayStation Vita, another excellent piece of ...
- Plano Business Briefs: Plano Chamber of Commerce to hold State of AI event; Synapse ITS to open new HQ in Planoon March 21, 2024 at 6:00 am
The Plano Chamber of Commerce is set to hold its State of AI event from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 28 at Marriott at Legacy Town Center, 7121 Bishop Road.
- Cognizant To Use Google's Gemini AI Chatbot For Software Development Productivityon March 21, 2024 at 5:07 am
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (CTSH) announced an expansion of its artificial intelligence or AI partnership with Google Cloud ...
- Intel CEO: ‘Our goal is to have at least 50% of the world’s advanced semiconductors produced in the U.S. and Europe by the end of the decade’on March 20, 2024 at 7:23 am
The CHIPS Act is an important milestone but this is not the end and it is not even the beginning of the end, writes Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger.
- Flexible artificial intelligence optoelectronic sensors towards health monitoringon March 15, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) have developed a flexible paper-based sensor composed of nanocellulose and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles that operate like the human eyes and brain.
- Aging And Schizophrenia Share Striking Similarities in 2 Types of Brain Cellson March 13, 2024 at 7:43 pm
The scientists named these synchronized changes – involved in 'communication hubs' called synapses – the Synaptic Neuron and ... used single-nucleus RNA sequencing and trained an artificial ...
via Google News and Bing News