Researchers in a recent breakthrough have developed printed artificial neurons that can directly communicate with real brain cells.
By using aerosol jet printing on flexible polymers, the team created “memristive” networks that generate complex spiking patterns and tested on mouse brain slices.
As a result, these artificial neurons made from molybdenum disulfide and graphene, successfully triggered responses in real neurons proving their compatibility.
As per findings published in the Nature Nanotechnology, the artificial neurons operate at the exact temporal speed and signal shape required to activate biological tissue.
During its manufacturing, the researchers use innovative materials like printable inks made of nanosheets. Instead of removing the polymer binding, they partially decomposed it to create conductive filaments, allowing a single device to produce complex signals that usually require a large network of transistors.
The additive printing process also proved low-cost, producing less waste, and using fewer materials than traditional semiconductor fabrication.
According to Northwestern’s Mark C. Hersam, who led the study, “Other labs have tried to make artificial neurons with organic materials, and they spiked too slowly. Or they used metal oxides, which are too fast. We are within a temporal range that was not previously demonstrated for artificial neurons. You can see the living neurons respond to our artificial neurons. So, we’ve demonstrated signals that are not only the right timescale but also the right spike shape to interact directly with living neurons.”
The technology can be practically used in two fields: neuroprosthetics and neuromorphic computing. In neuroprosthetics, it can be used to develop implants to restore vision, hearing, or motor function by interfacing directly with the nervous system.
Neuromorphic computing involves creating a new generation of computers that learn and adapt like a biological brain rather than following fixed, pre-fabricated paths.
