DARPA is leading the development of an improved neural implant for connecting the brain to computers, using advances neuroscience, synthetic biology, low-power electronics, photonics and medical manufacturing. Their goal is to to dramatically enhance neurotechnology research capabilities and provide a foundation for new therapies.
The Neural Engineering System Design program aims to produce a miniaturized brain implant, smaller than one cubic centimeter in size, to improve data transfer. The device would translate between digital systems and the electrochemical “language” of the brain for more efficient communication.
NESD is part of the BRAIN initiative and is led by Phillip Alvelda, who is “upgrading tools to really open the channel between the human brain and modern electronics.”
Current neural interfaces use approximately 100 channels, each aggregating signals from tens of thousands of neurons. The NESD program aims to develop technology to communicate directly with one million individual neurons in a brain region.
Initial applications will include devices for those with sight or hearing impairments. The system could feed digital auditory or visual information to the brain with greater resolution and clarity than current technology.
Phillip Alveda will discuss this and other DARPA initiatives at ApplySci’s NeuroTech San Francisco conference on April 6th.
Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center
NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center
Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences
NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences