A New Silicon Chip Might One Day Replace Damaged Brain Cells

The chip responds to electrical activity just like real neurons do.

By Alex Orlando
Dec 3, 2019 6:25 PMDec 3, 2019 8:38 PM
neuron chip
Scientists created a silicon chip that reproduces the electrical activity of neurons. (Credit: University of Bath)

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Step aside, Six Million Dollar Man. Since the first artificial pacemaker was implanted half a century ago, and arguably before, humans have worked to create technology that can repair and replace our own body parts. In some cases, these devices work by mimicking human biology.  

Now, scientists have managed to reproduce a particularly enigmatic biological process: the electrical activity of neurons, which include brain cells. Neurons send information throughout the body in the form of electrical signals.

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