Singaporean smart chip could enable next-gen wireless neural implants

Smart chip--Courtesy of Nanyang Technological University

Researchers at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University have developed a smart chip that could enable the next generation of wireless neural implants.

The chip can interpret the brain's signal to the hands and fingers with 95% accuracy, at least in animal models.

Unlike other wireless implants, the chip transmits only a limited amount of information produced by a neural implant to its external receiver; this selectivity is key to its energy efficiency, according to a university release.

"It is about a hundred times more efficient than current processing chips on the market. It will lead to more compact medical wearable devices, such as portable ECG monitoring devices and neural implants, since we no longer need large batteries to power them," NTU Assistant Professor Arindam Basu said in the release.

It has nonmedical applications as well. NTU says the chip could enable the Internet of Things by connecting electronic devices to each other, such as video cameras that send certain information to servers.

The chip's dimensions are 5 millimeters by 5 millimeters. It can be licensed from NTU's commercialization arm, NTUitive.

- read the release from Nanyang Technological University