Engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created an artificial neuron that operates at a voltage comparable to human brain cells, opening new possibilities for energy efficient computing and direct interfaces with biological tissue. The device uses protein nanowires derived from the electricity producing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, allowing it to function at just 0.1 volts, a fraction of the power required by previous artificial neurons.
How It Works
The artificial neuron mimics the electrical signaling of biological neurons using a protein nanowire synthesized from Geobacter sulfurreducens bacteria. Unlike earlier designs that required ten times more voltage and substantial power amplification to connect with living systems, this approach operates at biological voltage levels. This low voltage capability enables direct communication with natural neurons without the need for bulky, power hungry amplifiers, making the device uniquely suited for integration with biological cells and tissues.
Impact and Scope
This breakthrough could lead to bio inspired computers that approach the energy efficiency of the human brain, which processes complex tasks using roughly 20 watts compared to the megawatts required by large language models. Applications extend to wearable electronics that could harvest energy from sweat or ambient humidity, sensors that detect disease markers without amplification, and medical devices that interface directly with the nervous system. The research, published in Nature Communications, was supported by the Army Research Office, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Source: Sciencedaily
