Researchers at Brown
University have created the world’s first wireless brain-computer
interfaces, or computer control chips that can be applied directly
to your brain. These chip works by broadcasting brain activity as a
wireless broadband signal, similar to how a cellphone works.
The scientists tested a series of these 2.2-inch devices by
implanting them into the heads of three pigs and three rhesus
monkeys for nearly 16 months. The rechargeable wireless brain sensor
proved itself by relaying real-time activity from 100 neurons for up
to six hours.
Up until now, most of the brain-computer interfaces have been just
beneath the patient’s skin and required a wired connection.
The Brown team is working to further miniaturize the device while
bumping up the neural data transmission rate beyond 24 Mbps. It is
also working to improve the device’s safety and reliability so that
it can someday be used for clinical applications in people with
movement disabilities.