On September 27, engineers at Purdue University unveiled a groundbreaking wireless brain implant, smaller than a dime, designed to detect neural impulses and transmit data wirelessly to devices.
This innovative implant uses a method called biphasic quasi-static brain communication. This technique allows the device to transmit signals slowly, minimizing power consumption compared to conventional methods.
What sets this implant apart from its predecessors is its ability to function without any physical connections to external devices. The wireless nature of the device opens up an exciting prospect: controlling smart devices and accessing the internet merely by thinking.
While the primary application foreseen is in the realm of consumer electronics, allowing people to connect with their smart devices and the internet seamlessly, the implications for medical science are profound. The technology holds promise for advancing our understanding of neural disorders like Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and depression.
However, it’s not only Purdue University that’s making strides in the field of brain-computer interfaces. The Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center is delving deep into the potential of brain implants to restore functions in paralyzed people. There’s a clear race between scientists and tech companies to harness the capabilities of the human brain and interface it with technology.