Nano memory development brings bionic brain closer: Australian scientists

Australian scientists have imitated the way the human brain processes information with the development of a nano memory cell, continuing the path to a bionic brain.

Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne announced on Tuesday the device, that is 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, could mimic the brain's complex engineering.

The cell is the world's first electronic multi-state memory cell and mirrors the brain's ability to simultaneously process and store multiple strands of information.

It is hoped the development could increase treatment options for common neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Lead researcher Dr Hussein Nili told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday that nano memory was the first step in building artificial neuron networks.

"The development of these nano memory cells is a prerequisite for building these artificial neuron networks that are capable of matching the performance and functionality of their biological counterparts," he said.

Nili said the difference between nano memory and conventional digital data storage, such as a USB flash memory stick, was that nano memory was analogue.

It completely changed the options available, as with a dimmer control on a light switch.

"Having a dimmer switch actually gives you much more flexibility in terms of how much light you're using," he said. "So the analogue memory is kind of like that, compared to the digital memory.

"It can give you much more flexibility in terms of what information you store and what functionality you get."

The study's co-author, Dr Sumeet Walia, said the cell could be used to develop artificial intelligence.

"Once we are capable of storing and remembering and recalling the past events, from there we can actually start working on developing it as a storage component for [the] full area of artificial intelligence networks," Walia told the ABC. Endi