The human brain runs on computer chip.
Inspired by research in neuroscience, scientists are building a ‘neural’ computer that will work just like the brain but on a much smaller scale.
The human brain is like a computer, but it differs from everyday computers in three significant ways: it consumes very little power, it works well even if components fail, and it seems to work without any software.
The FACCTS groups which makes this possible. A team within FACETS is completing an exhaustive study of brain cells – neurons – to find out exactly how they work, how they connect to each other and how the network can ‘learn’ to do new things.
Mapping brain cells
Colleagues of Heidelberg University are recording data from neural tissues describing the neurons and synapses and their connectivity. This is being done almost on an industrial scale, recording data from many, many neural cells and putting them in databases.
Meanwhile, another FACETS group is developing simplified mathematical models that will accurately describe the complex behaviour that is being uncovered. Although the neurons could be modelled in detail, they would be far too complicated to implement either in software or hardware.
The aim is to use these models to build a ‘neural computer’ which emulates the brain. The first effort is a network of 300 neurons and half a million synapses on a single chip. The team used analogue electronics to represent the neurons and digital electronics to represent communications between them. It’s a unique combination. This system runs 100,000 times faster than the biological equivalent and 10 million times faster than a software simulation. The network is already being used by FACETS researchers to do experiments over the internet without needing to travel to Heidelberg.
Newer type of computing
But this ‘stage 1’ network was designed before the results came in from the mapping and modelling work. Now the teams are working on stage 2, a network of 200,000 neurons and 50 million synapses that will incorporate all the neuroscience discoveries made so far.
To build it, the team is creating its network on a single 20cm silicon disk, a ‘wafer’, of the type normally used to mass-produce chips before they are cut out of the wafer and packaged. This approach will make for a more compact device.
It’s so large so that circuit will certainly have manufacturing flaws.
The chip have faults but they are each likely to affect only a single synapse or a single connection in the network,”
How could we use a neural computer? Meier of Heidelberg University stresses that digital computers are built on principles that simply do not apply to devices modelled on the brain. To make them work requires a completely new theory of computing.
Ones you understand basic principles then you can create hardware also.
Ahead of the mind?
Now the question might arise in your mind that Can natural computer go ahead of the mind?
To do this The first step could be a little add-on to your computer at home, a device to handle very complex input data and to provide a simple decision, It can be an internet search.
The FACETS project, which is supported by the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme for research, is due to end in August 2009 but the partners have agreed to continue working together for another year. They eventually hope to secure a follow-on project with support from both the European Commission and national agencies.
Meanwhile, the consortium has just obtained funding from the EU’s Marie Curie initiative to set up a four-year Initial Training Network to train PhD students in the interdisciplinary skills needed for research in this area.
Meier points out that neural computing, with its low-power demands and tolerance of faults, may make it possible to reduce components to molecular size.
The human brain is like a computer, but it differs from everyday computers in three significant ways: it consumes very little power, it works well even if components fail, and it seems to work without any software.
The FACCTS groups which makes this possible. A team within FACETS is completing an exhaustive study of brain cells – neurons – to find out exactly how they work, how they connect to each other and how the network can ‘learn’ to do new things.
Mapping brain cells
Colleagues of Heidelberg University are recording data from neural tissues describing the neurons and synapses and their connectivity. This is being done almost on an industrial scale, recording data from many, many neural cells and putting them in databases.
Meanwhile, another FACETS group is developing simplified mathematical models that will accurately describe the complex behaviour that is being uncovered. Although the neurons could be modelled in detail, they would be far too complicated to implement either in software or hardware.
The aim is to use these models to build a ‘neural computer’ which emulates the brain. The first effort is a network of 300 neurons and half a million synapses on a single chip. The team used analogue electronics to represent the neurons and digital electronics to represent communications between them. It’s a unique combination. This system runs 100,000 times faster than the biological equivalent and 10 million times faster than a software simulation. The network is already being used by FACETS researchers to do experiments over the internet without needing to travel to Heidelberg.
Newer type of computing
But this ‘stage 1’ network was designed before the results came in from the mapping and modelling work. Now the teams are working on stage 2, a network of 200,000 neurons and 50 million synapses that will incorporate all the neuroscience discoveries made so far.
To build it, the team is creating its network on a single 20cm silicon disk, a ‘wafer’, of the type normally used to mass-produce chips before they are cut out of the wafer and packaged. This approach will make for a more compact device.
It’s so large so that circuit will certainly have manufacturing flaws.
The chip have faults but they are each likely to affect only a single synapse or a single connection in the network,”
How could we use a neural computer? Meier of Heidelberg University stresses that digital computers are built on principles that simply do not apply to devices modelled on the brain. To make them work requires a completely new theory of computing.
Ones you understand basic principles then you can create hardware also.
Ahead of the mind?
Now the question might arise in your mind that Can natural computer go ahead of the mind?
To do this The first step could be a little add-on to your computer at home, a device to handle very complex input data and to provide a simple decision, It can be an internet search.
The FACETS project, which is supported by the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme for research, is due to end in August 2009 but the partners have agreed to continue working together for another year. They eventually hope to secure a follow-on project with support from both the European Commission and national agencies.
Meanwhile, the consortium has just obtained funding from the EU’s Marie Curie initiative to set up a four-year Initial Training Network to train PhD students in the interdisciplinary skills needed for research in this area.
Meier points out that neural computing, with its low-power demands and tolerance of faults, may make it possible to reduce components to molecular size.
posted by Pranav Rana @ 6:28 PM
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