Towards a neuro-mechanical memory element

本项目的目的是探索神经机械突触是否可以通过将神经元细胞与硅基底连接而形成。这是基于我们最近的发现，机械力施加在果蝇（果蝇）胚胎的神经肌肉突触产生神经元记忆。神经元的这种机械感知能力可能源于细胞进化上保守的特性。因此，它有可能适用于神经硅接口。实现这一目标的方法是：（1）研究使用硅探针在神经元上机械施加的张力是否可以转换为可以捕获的信息，例如，作为一个形象;（2）功能化探针以探索突触是否可以被工程化，以及（3）探索工程化突触是否可以获得使用依赖性力敏记忆。智力优点：这项研究将首次揭示大自然是否（以及如何）利用机械张力以模拟方式存储和处理信息。然后，它试图将知识转化为神经机械突触。如果这种可能性得以实现，将是将学习和记忆工程化到合成系统中的一个突破。更广泛的影响：这项研究将为创建合成细胞网络奠定基础，这些细胞可以学习和记忆模式，并与设备和传感器分享这些知识。这些知识将通过以下方式与教育相结合：（1）开发神经力学新课程;（2）学生研讨会;（3）在当地儿童学校实践教学模块。（4）网页制作。

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.