Breakthrough Artificial Neurons Revolutionize Low-Power Brain-Machine Interfaces with Protein Nanowires
October 13, 2025
Researchers have developed artificial neurons based on protein nanowires produced by the bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens, which naturally conduct electricity and are highly stable in natural environments.
This innovation significantly reduces power consumption, requiring only one-tenth of the voltage and one-hundredth of the power of traditional artificial neurons, making it ideal for low-power and implantable devices.
The core breakthrough involves a memristor built from these bio-synthesized nanowires, which greatly lowers voltage and energy needs compared to previous models.
Such advancements open new possibilities for brain-machine interfaces, neural monitoring, and medical technologies that can seamlessly integrate with human neural systems.
Experimental tests have shown the artificial neuron can connect to living human heart cells, successfully reading and responding to cellular activity, demonstrating its potential for medical applications.
The device has been used to monitor physiological changes in real-time, such as detecting increased activity in cardiac tissue after norepinephrine administration.
This technology holds promise for wearable electronics, prosthetics, personalized medicine, and biohybrid systems, enabling devices that can learn and adapt like living tissues.
Designed to communicate via chemical and electrical signals similar to natural neurons, these artificial neurons could directly interact with human brains to repair neural circuits damaged by diseases like Alzheimer's.
The low-voltage operation reduces the need for signal amplification in neural interfaces, facilitating more efficient, real-time brain-machine communication.
Built around a memristor in a resistor-capacitor circuit, the artificial neuron can perform key neural functions such as charge integration, depolarization, and repolarization, mimicking real neural activity.
These neurons respond to biochemical signals and generate action potentials by simulating ion flow and filament formation, enabling interaction with living tissue such as cardiac cells.
Operating at 0.1 volts, these synthetic neurons match natural neuronal signals, preventing overload and signal distortion, and addressing previous issues of high power consumption.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources

IEEE Spectrum • Oct 13, 2025
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Indian Defence Review • Oct 13, 2025
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SSBCrack News • Oct 13, 2025
Synthetic Neurons Approach Biological Precision, Transforming Neuromorphic Engineering - SSBCrack News