New "Wet Computer" To Mimic Neurons In the Brain 132
A new type of "wet computer" that mimics the actions of neurons in the brain is slated to be built thanks to a €1.8M EU emerging technologies program. The goal of the project is to explore new computing environments rather than to build a computer that surpasses current performance of conventional computers. "The group's approach hinges on two critical ideas. First, individual 'cells' are surrounded by a wall made up of so-called lipids that spontaneously encapsulate the liquid innards of the cell. Recent work has shown that when two such lipid layers encounter each other as the cells come into contact, a protein can form a passage between them, allowing chemical signaling molecules to pass. Second, the cells' interiors will play host to what is known as a Belousov-Zhabotinsky or B-Z chemical reaction. Simply put, reactions of this type can be initiated by changing the concentration of the element bromine by a certain threshold amount."
Eureka! (Score:2, Funny)
Puts a new spin on computer viruses ...
Re:If anything comes of this... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:If anything comes of this... (Score:3, Funny)
Is it really a computer still though?
great, boffins (Score:2, Funny)
Re:If anything comes of this... (Score:5, Funny)
Then you'll get computers with chemical imbalances. In other words suffering from depression. It gives the phrase "the computer is down" a whole new meaning.
As a preemptive strike:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_the_Paranoid_Android [wikipedia.org]
Research Implications: (Score:1, Funny)
Heuristics is expected to make a big come back in Artificial Intelligence research, as the machine represents everything in terms of bromides [etymonline.com].
Is it always wet? (Score:2, Funny)
Doctor in the House? (Score:2, Funny)
Redundant? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:If anything comes of this... (Score:3, Funny)