NEURAL DUST: HOW IT WORKS
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Powered by ultrasound
Some medical implants are powered by radio waves, but they’re unsuitable for tiny implants due to their long wavelength. High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) have a much shorter wavelength, meaning they’re more likely to hit the dust motes. Piezoelectric crystals in the tiny, batteryless implants absorb these sound vibrations and convert them into electrical energy, providing power.
Brain dust
Neural dust motes could be implanted in the skull by traditional surgical means. Eventually, the motes might be made so small that they’re able to receive information from – or stimulate – individual neurons.
Spinal fluid
This could be a less invasive route into the brain via injections if the neural dust is small enough.
Peripheral ports
Motes could be installed in parts of the nervous system that talk directly to the brain, making risky brain surgeries unnecessary.
Wireless communication
Reflections from piezoelectric crystals carry info to the transceiver so the implants don’t need to generate their own signals, helping keep the devices low-power.
Transceiver
Provides link between dust motes and your computer, phone or fitness tracker. Could be placed just beneath the scalp or at a peripheral port.