Nano memory stores data like a human brain

Australian scientists, including one of Indian origin, have developed nano memory capable of storing information in a way similar to a human brain -- a significant step towards the creation of a bionic brain, Australian media reported.

The device, 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, imitates the complex engineering of the brain with its twisted mass of nerve pathways, according to the team from RMIT University in Melbourne that created it.

"The development of these nano memory cells is a prerequisite for building these artificial neuron networks that are capable of matching the performance and functionality of their biological counterparts," research leader Hussein Nili told ABC TV.

Unlike digital storage devices that record data in binary streams, a nano memory cell can store information in multiple states because it is analogue.

He compared the difference to a power switch that can turn lights on and off with one fitted with a dimmer that can adjust the intensity.

"It can give you much more flexibility in terms of what information you store and what functionality you get," he added.

The ability to experiment with a bionic brain could contribute to better understanding of diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and ultimately to replacing damaged parts of the brain.

Indian-origin Sumeet Walia, co-author of the study published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, believes the cell could be used to develop artificial intelligence that can store, recall and remember past events.