Copy and paste in the human brain. “Samsung” is close to the dream of memory chips

The initial goal was to simulate this structure and function of neural networks on a silicon chip.

Over 40 years later, Samsung has shared a new vision that brings the world closer to making neural chips that can mimic the brain better.

The vision, devised by senior engineers and researchers at the company and at Harvard University, was published as a research paper titled Copy-and-paste Neuroelectronics in the journal Nature Electronics.

The essence of the authors’ vision is best summed up in two words, “copy” and “paste”.

The article proposes a method to copy a map of the neural connectivity of the brain using an advanced nanoelectrode array and paste this map onto a high-density 3D solid-state memory array, a technology developed by Samsung around the world.

Copy and paste approach

With this cut-and-paste approach, the authors envision creating a memory chip that approximates the brain’s unique computational characteristics – low power, easy learning, adaptability, autonomy, and cognition – that were otherwise beyond the reach of current technology.

The brain is made up of a large number of neurons, and the map of their sons is responsible for the functions of the brain. Knowing the map is therefore the key to reverse engineering the brain.

While the initial goal of neural engineering, launched in the 1980s, was to simulate such a structure and function of neural networks via a silicon chip.

And that has proven difficult because, so far, little is known about how large numbers of neurons are connected together to create higher brain functions.

Thus, the goal of designing neural shapes to design a brain-inspired chip rather than precisely imitating it was facilitated.

Neuromodulation for reverse engineering of the brain

This article offers a way to return to the original goal of neural modulation for reverse engineering of the brain. The nanoelectrode array can effectively penetrate a large number of neurons so that they can record their electrical signals with high sensitivity.

Develop brain type chips

These massively parallel recordings teach intracellular neural wiring. This indicates where neurons communicate with each other and how strong those connections are. Therefore, from these excitatory recordings, a map of the neural wiring can be extracted or transcribed.

The copied neural map can then be pasted over a network such as commercial flash drives in an SSD, or as resistive random access memory (RRAM). This is done by programming each memory so that its connection represents the strength of each neural connection in the copied card.

One step forward

The article takes a step forward and proposes a strategy for quickly pasting a map of neural threads onto a memory network. Because the human brain contains around 100 billion neurons with synapses a thousand times the size. An ideal neural chip would require 100,000 billion units of memory.

The integration of such a large number of memories on a single chip is possible thanks to the integration of 3D memory. It is a technology led by Samsung.

In addition and using its pioneering experience in the manufacture of pads. Samsung plans to continue research in neuroengineering. This is to extend its leadership in the field of the next generation of artificial intelligence semiconductors.