New Transistor Could Let Chips Interface With Living Systems

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New Transistor Could Let Chips Interface With Living Systems

Posted by Unknown on Tuesday September 20, 2011 @09:55AM from the we-have-the-technology dept.

An anonymous reader writes with a UW news item about a really neat new transistor design. From the release: "Human [sic, probably meant Electronic] devices, from light bulbs to iPods, send information using electrons. Human bodies and all other living things, on the other hand, send signals and perform work using ions or protons. Materials scientists at the University of Washington have built a novel transistor that uses protons, creating a key piece for devices that can communicate directly with living things. Among the many potential areas for application is that of prosthetic limbs." The paper's abstract is available, but the full paper is unfortunately paywalled. The Rolandi research group has a few other neat projects in related areas.

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Does "proton" have another meaning? by mark-t · 2011-09-20 10:04 · Score: 2

Because I always thought protons were the positively charged particles in the nucleus of an atom.
This article is clearly talking about something else... so either the article is using the wrong word or else proton has another meaning of which I was previously unaware.

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File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
1. Re:Does "proton" have another meaning? by Relic+of+the+Future · 2011-09-20 10:08 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  No, you're right. Now, what do you get if you take a hydrogen atom, and ionize it?
  
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  Those who fail to understand communication protocols, are doomed to repeat them over port 80.
2. Re:Does "proton" have another meaning? by Fned · 2011-09-20 10:14 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  First author Chao Zhong, a UW postdoctoral researcher, and second author Yingxin Deng, a UW graduate student, discovered that this form of chitosan works remarkably well at moving protons. The chitosan absorbs water and forms many hydrogen bonds; protons are then able to hop from one hydrogen bond to the next.
  No, they mean protons.
3. Re:Does "proton" have another meaning? by n5vb · 2011-09-20 10:30 · Score: 2
  
  Acid-base chemistry is based on proton and hydroxyl (OH) ion exchange. Protons are also known as hydrogen nuclei, and in a lot of wet chemistry where nuclei and electrons interact on a more or less constant basis, they're interchangeable for most practical conceptual purposes.
  
  I'm pretty sure, however, that the article was concentrating more on ionic transfer than on protons, specifically. A lot of ion flow through cell walls is heavier alkali metals like sodium and potassium. Communicating with *neurons*, in particular, is mostly activation and deactivation of surface proteins that open and close those ion channels. So .. maybe they can interact by altering the ion balance? Bit lost on the theory there ..
4. Re:Does "proton" have another meaning? by Relic+of+the+Future · 2011-09-20 12:27 · Score: 2
  
  Damnit. I knew that; stupid fingers. Where is it written that, every time you correct someone, you will make an obvious and stupid error?
  
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  Those who fail to understand communication protocols, are doomed to repeat them over port 80.
Re:Uses Protons... by Relic+of+the+Future · 2011-09-20 10:11 · Score: 2

My sarcasmometer is busted but: Yes smart guy, transistors currently contain protons. The difference is that, in this transistor, the protons are the "moving part", rather than electrons (and electron holes).

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Those who fail to understand communication protocols, are doomed to repeat them over port 80.
Re:Damn Mechanists Will Never See the Light! by BJ_Covert_Action · 2011-09-20 10:22 · Score: 2

Why must these wireheaded mechanists defile themselves with these electro-mechanical devices?
That's what I said! But my girlfriend insists they offer a better experience....

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Motorcycles, Robots, Space Gossip and More!
How does it help? by shutdown+-p+now · 2011-09-20 10:25 · Score: 2

How does it help to interface with living organisms? My initial impression is that it would be much easier to have the prosthetic implemented using conventional electronics, and have an interface adapter on the boundary with living tissue - sounds like that would be much easier.
And isn't the main problem with prosthetic limbs making them nimble and accurate enough, both mechanically and in terms of interpreting nerve signals?
Re:Uses Protons... by wierd_w · 2011-09-20 10:27 · Score: 2

Wouldnt that be a normal transistor?
Re:Extra charge? by Cosgrach · 2011-09-20 11:09 · Score: 2

The extra charge is placed into an escrow account and is then divided up to help pay for much needed social services.

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Why is it that most of the people that I encounter seem to have been shat from the Sphincter of Mediocrity?
Re:That's what I was missing! by EdZ · 2011-09-20 11:18 · Score: 3, Insightful

Well duh, Positronic Brains are for robots, not people!
Sort of like ... by PPH · 2011-09-20 15:35 · Score: 2

... installing an OnStar in your brain?
You'll get cheaper insurance if you do. Just don't think about the remote disable feature.

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Have gnu, will travel.