Towards a neuro-mechanical memory element

走向神经机械记忆元件这个项目的目标是探索能否通过将神经元细胞与硅衬底相连接来形成神经机械突触。这是基于我们最近的发现，施加在果蝇(果蝇)胚胎的神经肌肉突触上的机械力可以产生神经记忆。神经元的这种机械感知能力可能植根于细胞在进化上保守的特性。因此，它有可能应用于神经-硅胶接口。实现这一目标的方法是：(1)研究使用硅探针对神经元施加的机械张力是否可以转换为可以捕获的信息，例如，作为图像；(2)使探针功能化，以探索突触是否可以被工程化；以及(3)探索工程突触是否可以获得使用依赖力敏感记忆。智力优势：这项研究将首次揭示自然界是否(以及如何)使用机械张力以模拟的方式存储和处理信息。然后，它试图将这些知识转化为神经机械突触。如果这一可能性成为现实，这将是将学习和记忆工程转化为合成系统的一个突破。广泛的影响：这项研究将为创建能够学习和记忆模式并与设备和传感器共享知识的合成细胞网络奠定基础。这些知识将通过(1)开发一门新的神经力学课程(2)学生研讨会，(3)在当地的S儿童科学馆实践教学模块，以及(4)网页开发，将这些知识与教育相结合。

Towards a neuro-mechanical memory elementAbstractThe objective of this project is to explore whether a neuro-mechanical synapse can be formed by interfacing a neuron cell with a silicon substrate. It is based on our recent finding that mechanical force applied at a neuromuscular synapse of Drosophila (fruit fly) embryos produces neuronal memory. This mechano-sensing ability of neurons is likely rooted in evolutionarily conserved properties of cells. It has thus the potential to apply to neuro-silico interfaces. The approach to this goal are: (1) investigate whether mechanically applied tension on a neuron using a silicon probe can be transduced into information that can be captured, e.g., as an image; (2) functionalize the probe to explore whether synapse can be engineered, and (3) explore whether engineered synapse can attain usage dependent force sensitive memory. Intellectual merit: The study will shed light, for the first time, on whether (and how) nature employs mechanical tension to store and process information in an analogue fashion. It then attempts to translate the knowledge to engineer a neuro-mechanical synapse. If this possibility is realized, it will be a breakthrough in the engineering of learning and memory into synthetic systems.Broader impact: This study will lay the foundation for creating networks of synthetic cells that could learn and remember patterns and share that knowledge with devices and sensors. The knowledge will be integrated with education through (1) development of a new course on neuro-mechanics (2) student seminars, (3) hands on teaching modules at the local Children?s Science Museum, and (4) web page development.