In a leap toward brain-like AI, researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have created artificial neurons that behave almost exactly like real brain cells—using ions instead of electrons to process information.
Unlike traditional chips that rely purely on digital signals, these ion-powered neurons imitate how the human brain communicates through chemical and electrical activity. The USC team achieved this breakthrough by allowing silver ions to move inside an oxide layer, generating electrical pulses that resemble how biological neurons fire in the brain.
Professor Joshua Yang, Director of the Center of Excellence on Neuromorphic Computing at USC, explained that the system’s success lies in its simplicity. “Even though our artificial neurons don’t use the same ions as human cells, the underlying physics are remarkably similar. This allows us to simulate brain-like functions using a straightforward structure.”
The team calls their invention a “diffusive memristor”—a device that processes information through ion motion rather than electron flow. The result is a tiny, energy-efficient circuit capable of learning and adapting much like the neurons inside the human brain.
Current AI hardware consumes massive power, but the brain runs on just 20 watts—less than a light bulb. The USC model moves the world a step closer to ultra-efficient neuromorphic computing, where machines could eventually match the brain’s speed, flexibility, and learning efficiency.
Still, challenges remain. Silver-ion technology isn’t yet compatible with standard semiconductor production, and building large-scale, self-learning networks from these neurons will require more breakthroughs.
GRY News Insight:
If scaled successfully, this discovery could revolutionize AI hardware and robotics, enabling edge devices—from drones to smart medical tools—to think independently without heavy cloud dependence. It also signals a shift from software-driven intelligence to hardware-native cognition.
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