Human Cells and Electronics Linked Together

sacremon writes "There is an article in the New Scientist about research in Germany that has human cells able to produce a electrical signal large enough to be detected by a semiconductor that the cells are growing atop of. This could eventually lead to more tightly linked cell-to-electronics interfaces, like prosthetics. Cyberdecks anyone?"

Cochlear implants

[Eccles]

Cochlear implants work in the reverse direction: electric charges stimulate the auditory nerves.

One step closer to . . .

[slurry47]

my cyborg body.

Step One: bionic eye

Human "software" and "protection"

[BobGregg]

You know that at some point, after human "electronics" start coming into vogue, that they will start being affected by the same issues that all other electronic devices are going through right now. To wit: how much are you going to enjoy your ocular implants after the manufacturer starts installing DRM protection on them? And you thought all that hard drive encryption crap was going to be bad....

Maybe this time, before we go all gaga over the latest techno whiz-bang, we ought to think out these issues before committing to their use. I shudder to think about the possible abuses of sensory perception on a subscription basis.

assimilation

[ChristTrekker]

I am Locutus of Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. You will become one with the Borg.

blow a fuse

[bluelip]

What happens when your bodygets hot or cold? Does this affect the silicon's ability to detect the signal? Will my new eyes not work when I'm at the beach checking on the "secenery"? What happens when I sneeze at the electronic impulses go funky for a split second? Will I accidently flip someone the bird? Do these connections deteriorate over time?

Why are the most basic questions never answerred in these articles? I dislike it when writers treat us as someone who only needs a tiny bit of information. What not tell us as much as possible? Isn't this especially true in electronic publishing? Electrons are going very cheaply these days.

Re:blow a fuse

[WhyCause]

Do these connections deteriorate over time?

Yes, the body tends to encapsulate anything it can't break down inside a fibrous collagen-based capusle. Eventually (if it's close enough to the surface of the body) the offending piece will be exvaginated (i.e., it'll pop right out). This happens with things like BBs all the time. Unfortunately, this capsule stops electrical connections dead, so all the research up to this point has generally ended in eventual failure (it takes a few weeks for the electrode to be completely sealed off). The thing to do is to modify the surface of the electrode with something the cells love to stick to, making them WANT to connect with the outside world. I wouldn't be surprised if the electrodes discussed in the article were surface-modified for biocompatibility.

Of course!!!

[TWX_the_Linux_Zealot]

Of course human cells and electronics have been linked together... if there are any geeks like me in California (which there are no doubt), then one has to have been in his computer room and gotten assimilated by falling computer parts while the ground was shaking...

"Titanic was 3hr and 17min long. They could have lost 3hr and 17min from that."

I knew it!

[HeavenlyDestructor]

It would be mad German scientists, wouldn't it. Oh well.

Re:blow a fuse

[Yazeran]

Well normal human bodies usually experinces noly minor temperature changes (core body temperature is +- 2 degrees from the normal 37C) This does not change the behaviour of normal semiconductors as GaAs or Si Modern CPU's can tolerate rather extreme temperatures without failing (0C to 60C) is normally not a problem

I do not know which type of semiconductor was used, but i suspect it was the usual type (either Si-based or GaAs-based)

As to the sneezing part, your guess is as good as mine.. :-) As to the deterioration with time, one might suspect this, as human cells require water and oxygen. Both these substances is rather bad news for most semiconductors. Si-based ones develop SiO2 (or quartz, although microcrystaline to amorphous) which is a good inslator. I do not kow how the other types of semiconductors react, but i suspect most of tem will oxidize if subjected to oxygen and water.