Arkenlight and Axorus have teamed up to prototype the first artificial neuron powered by a diamond beta-voltaic battery from nuclear waste. The goal is to develop medical-grade implants with power sources that will last for decades.
Arkenlight was founded by researchers at the University of Bristol who developed a take pieces of radioactive waste from nuclear power plants and turn them into diamonds capable of collecting high-energy electrons.or beta particles, and convert them into usable electricity.
These beta batteries will generate power for a long time: some can be calculated for decades, others for thousands of years, depending on the half-life of the particular isotope they use.
And although they are made from radioactive nuclear waste, Arkenlight states that they are very safe to use near or even inside the human body as this type of beta radiation does not penetrate tissue very well.and the exceptional hardness of the diamond structure makes it nearly impossible to break.
Arkenlight is working with the French company Axorus to study the possibility of using beta-galvanic microbatteries to power artificial neurons that they are being developed.
These artificial neurons are designed to fit into the patient’s nervous system and perform a range of functions based on their ability to communicate with biological neurons“listening” for signals sent by other neurons and sending their own signals when necessary.
“This is CMOS“, explains the company, “up to 1000 times more energy efficient and up to 10 times smaller than a biological neuron. Its very high sensitivity makes it ideal for medical implants.“.
The company is currently developing an artificial retina, which combines an array of artificial neurons with photodiodes, creating an array of “pixels” that can read incoming light and send an electrical signal to the brain via the optic nerve.
Designed for patients with age-related macular degeneration, seeks to return to people the central part of his visionthough originally only black and white.
These artificial retinas will be powered by ambient light.but Axorus is looking for solutions to feed them at night, and the company has other applications in mind for its artificial neurons in the brain, endocrine system, gut, and urinary system.
A tiny safe beta electric battery that will last for decades could be perfect for these devices, so Axorus and Arkenlight teamed up to create a proof of concept: the first artificial neuron powered by a microgenerator of tritium radioelectric energy.
The company remains hopeful that it will be able to commercialize something before 2024.
Source: Computer Hoy
I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.
