title: Towards a 'siliconeural computer': technological successes and challenges.
abstract: Electronic signals govern the function of both nervous systems and computers, albeit in different ways. As such, hybridizing both systems to create an iono-electric brain-computer interface is a realistic goal; and one that promises exciting advances in both heterotic computing and neuroprosthetics capable of circumventing devastating neuropathology. 'Neural networks' were, in the 1980s, viewed naively as a potential panacea for all computational problems that did not fit well with conventional computing. The field bifurcated during the 1990s into a highly successful and much more realistic machine learning community and an equally pragmatic, biologically oriented 'neuromorphic computing' community. Algorithms found in nature that use the non-synchronous, spiking nature of neuronal signals have been found to be (i) implementable efficiently in silicon and (ii) computationally useful. As a result, interest has grown in techniques that could create mixed 'siliconeural' computers. Here, we discuss potential approaches and focus on one particular platform using parylene-patterned silicon dioxide.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Centre for Integrative Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XDUK.
authors.forename: Mike J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shipston
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK alan.murray@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alan F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003201:Computers; D004581:Electronics; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D014992:Xylenes / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D014992:Xylenes; C011055:parylene; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012825:Silicon
keywords: brain–computer interface; heterotic computing; neuronal networks