Scimex: RMIT University researchers have mimicked the way the human brain
processes information with the development of an electronic long-term
memory cell. Researchers at the MicroNano Research Facility
(MNRF) have built the one of the world's first electronic multi-state
memory cell which mirrors the brain's ability to simultaneously process
and store multiple strands of information. The development brings
them closer to imitating key electronic aspects of the human brain – a
vital step towards creating a bionic brain – which could help unlock
successful treatments for common neurological conditions such as
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The discovery was recently published in the prestigious materials science journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Project
leader Dr Sharath Sriram, co-leader of the RMIT Functional Materials
and Microsystems Research Group, said the ground-breaking development
imitates the way the brain uses long-term memory.
"This is the
closest we have come to creating a brain-like system with memory that
learns and stores analog information and is quick at retrieving this
stored information," Dr Sharath said.
"The human brain is an
extremely complex analog computer… its evolution is based on its
previous experiences, and up until now this functionality has not been
able to be adequately reproduced with digital technology."
The
ability to create highly dense and ultra-fast analog memory cells paves
the way for imitating highly sophisticated biological neural networks,
he said.
The research builds on RMIT's previous discovery where
ultra-fast nano-scale memories were developed using a functional oxide
material in the form of an ultra-thin film - 10,000 times thinner than a
human hair.
Dr Hussein Nili, lead author of the study, said:
"This new discovery is significant as it allows the multi-state cell to
store and process information in the very same way that the brain does.
"Think
of an old camera which could only take pictures in black and white. The
same analogy applies here, rather than just black and white memories we
now have memories in full color with shade, light and texture, it is a
major step."
While these new devices are able to store much more
information than conventional digital memories (which store just 0s and
1s), it is their brain-like ability to remember and retain previous
information that is exciting.
"We have now introduced controlled
faults or defects in the oxide material along with the addition of
metallic atoms, which unleashes the full potential of the 'memristive'
effect – where the memory element's behaviour is dependent on its past
experiences," Dr Nili said.
Nano-scale memories are precursors to
the storage components of the complex artificial intelligence network
needed to develop a bionic brain.
Dr Nili said the research had
myriad practical applications including the potential for scientists to
replicate the human brain outside of the body.
"If you could
replicate a brain outside the body, it would minimise ethical issues
involved in treating and experimenting on the brain which can lead to
better understanding of neurological conditions," Dr Nili said.
The research,
supported by the Australian Research Council, was conducted in
collaboration with the University of California Santa Barbara.