A team of researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and Sogang University in South Korea have made a pioneering breakthrough by creating artificial neurological junctions called synapses using a combination of water and salt. This innovation opens up new possibilities for the development of advanced computers that can replicate the functionality of the human brain.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that the basic ingredients used in the brain to create artificial brain cells can be replicated using water and dissolved salt particles called ions. The Iontronic memristor, which was created by scientists as part of this research, is an incredibly small device measuring just 150 by 200 micrometres. It contains water and salt inside and is shaped like a cone.
The Iontronic memristor works by remembering how much electrical charge has passed through it, with electrical impulses causing ions to move through the channel. Variations in electrical charge lead to changes in ion movement, making it possible to replicate neuronal behavior using the same medium as the brain.
This breakthrough has significant implications for scientific developments towards creating an artificial human brain. Scientists aiming to design energy-efficient and high-performance computers often draw inspiration from the workings of the human brain. However, current computer systems rely on solid materials for their function while brains utilize water and dissolved salt particles called ions as their medium.
Overall, this new research represents a significant step towards replicating neuronal behavior using a medium similar to that used by brains, opening up new possibilities for scientific advancements in artificial intelligence and computing.
