Novel computer components inspired by brain cells

Researchers at Empa, ETH Zurich and the "Politecnico di Milano" are developing a new type of computer component that is more powerful and easier to manufacture than its predecessors. Inspired by the human brain, it is designed to process large amounts of data fast and in an energy-efficient way. In many respects, the human brain is still superior to modern computers. Although most people can't do math as fast as a computer, we can effortlessly process complex sensory information and learn from experiences, while a computer cannot - at least not yet. And, the brain does all this by consuming less than half as much energy as a laptop. One of the reasons for the brain's energy efficiency is its structure. The individual brain cells - the neurons and their connections, the synapses - can both store and process information.