Singapore researchers have built a prototype server rack that uses living human brain cells for computing. The setup at the National University of Singapore’s Life Sciences Institute combines work from NUS Medicine, data-centre firm DayOne and Australian company Cortical Labs. It holds 20 CL1 units, each with about 800,000 lab-grown human neurons, for roughly 16 million cells in total. The neurons sit on silicon platforms with electrodes that send and receive electrical signals. Software creates a feedback loop so the cells can process information and adapt. The living cells need constant care. Technicians feed them every three days and supply gases to keep them alive for up to six months. The main goal is energy efficiency, since biological neurons use far less power than traditional chips. Possible later uses include adaptive learning tasks and medical research.
Singapore researchers have built a prototype server rack that uses living human brain cells for computing. The setup at the National University of Singapore’s Life Sciences Institute combines work from NUS Medicine, data-centre firm DayOne and Australian company Cortical Labs. It holds 20 CL1 units, each with about 800,000 lab-grown human neurons, for roughly 16 million cells in total. The neurons sit on silicon platforms with electrodes that send and receive electrical signals. Software creates a feedback loop so the cells can process information and adapt. The living cells need constant care. Technicians feed them every three days and supply gases to keep them alive for up to six months. The main goal is energy efficiency, since biological neurons use far less power than traditional chips. Possible later uses include adaptive learning tasks and medical research.