Researchers hope that the world's first "living processor" will lead to energy-efficient computing power

Researchers develop a 'living processor' using human brain organoids for energy-efficient computing.

: Researchers have developed the first 'living processor' by using human brain organoids, aiming to create energy-efficient computing power. This innovation by the Swiss startup FinalSpark allows remote access to experiments on these organoids through an online platform. The living processor consumes significantly less energy than traditional digital processors and is ideal for sustainable large neural network operations.

In an exciting development in computing, researchers have created the world's first 'living processor' using human brain organoids. This groundbreaking processor, developed by the Swiss biocomputing startup FinalSpark, can be accessed remotely for scientific experiments through an online platform. The processor harnesses biological neurons to potentially revolutionize computing by significantly reducing the energy required for powering large artificial neural networks, commonly used in advanced machine learning applications.

FinalSpark's platform allows for long-term electrophysical experiments on biological neural networks (BNNs), enabling the recording and manipulation of neural activity. With an advanced setup that includes microelectrode arrays and microfluidics, researchers can stimulate and monitor the organoids, programming them to complete specific computational tasks. This process mimics the training of artificial neural networks but with potentially enormous energy savings, using up to a million times less power than traditional silicone-based processors.

Despite these advancements, the technology is still in its early stages, requiring international collaboration and further research to fully realize its potential. The organoids, derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, contain various neuron types and support structures, mimicking aspects of human brain activity. The challenge now is to scale this technology efficiently and refine the longevity and stability of these biological systems to make them viable for broader practical applications. The aim is not only to enhance computational efficiency but also to significantly contribute to sustainability in the tech industry.

living processorenergy-efficient computinghuman brain organoids