BITS: A Neurochip for Studying Neural Networks In Vitro

EIA 0218767杰罗姆·派恩加州理工学院标题：用于体外研究神经网络的神经芯片哺乳动物的中枢神经系统具有巨大的信息处理、分析和产生适合各种任务的输出的能力。它远远超过了目前在人造硬件和软件方面所做的最大努力。详细了解真正的神经网络是如何运行的，有望指导改进人造系统的努力，或许还会展示革命性而不是进化性改进的方法。然而，对于体内系统来说，做到这一点是一项艰巨的任务，因为在体内系统中，大量神经元协同工作，而且对它们个体行为的完整细节观察远远超出了当前技术的能力。了解小型神经网络在体外的行为是一个潜在的有价值的开始，这里建议创建一种基于硅的系统，称为“神经芯片”，具有详细观察小型网络中每个神经元的行为的独特能力。每个神经元都将被放在一个包含用于记录和刺激的细胞内电极的外壳中。实验系统主要由商业组件构建。神经芯片本身正在使用新的方法制造，但这些方法可以在任何严肃的制造实验室复制。神经芯片的低温制造工艺可以在硅片上完成，这种硅片结合了CMOS电路，所以机载计算机可以成为系统的一部分。

EIA 0218767 Jerome Pine California Institute of Technology Title: A Neurochip for Studying Neural Networks in Vitro The mammalian central nervous system has enormous capabilities for information processing; analysis; and generation of appropriate outputs for a huge variety of task. It far surpasses current best efforts with man-made hardware and software. Learning in detail about how real neural networks function holds the promise of guiding efforts to improve man-made systems, and perhaps showing the way to revolutionary rather than evolutionary improvements. Yet doing this is a daunting task for in vivo systems, where huge numbers of neurons operate cooperatively, and observation of their individual behaviors in full detail is far beyond the capabilities of current technology. Understanding the behavior of small neural networks in vitro is a potentially valuable start, and it is proposed here to create a silicon-based system, called a "Neurochip", with unique capabilities for observing the behavior of every neuron of a small network in detail. Each neuron will be in an enclosure" which incorporates an intracellular electrode for recording and stimulation.The experimental system is being constructed mainly from commercial components. The neurochip itself is being fabricated using novel methods, but ones, which can be duplicated, in any serious fabrication laboratory. The low temperature fabrication process for the neurochip can be done on a silicon wafer, which incorporates CMOS circuitry, so an on-board computer could be made part of the system.