Art and Technology » Lassi Haaranen http://artandtech.aalto.fi study module at Aalto University Mon, 16 Feb 2015 08:32:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.7.39 Project plan: Computing 101 http://artandtech.aalto.fi/?p=677 http://artandtech.aalto.fi/?p=677#comments Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:54:31 +0000 http://artandtech.aalto.fi/?p=677 Continue reading →]]> This work plans to bring neuronal cells, the basis of mammalian and thus human computation, to the foreground. There are about 1011 neurons in the brain which are connected by 1014 to 1015 synapses. Through their interaction we are enabled to coordinate movement, speech, remember, plan and express ourselves. The connections neurons form differ in each of us – they are the basis of our individuality.

Inspiration is drawn from the works of Spanish histologist Santiago Ramón y Cajal(1852-1934) who today is revered as the father of modern neuroscience. With Golgi’s silver nitrate preparation technique he examined cells in the central nervous system and using only a microscope, drew them with amazing detail in ink, displaying even smallest structures.

This project aims to connect the work of Santiago Ramon y Cajal, whose work spawned the fast growing field of neuroscience, with materials we today have at our disposal such as optical cable and embedded processors. To show the communication between individual neurons and thus express the flow of information through the brain optical cable will be used. The plan is to have multiple neurons since they are the only cells in the body that, on their own, do not fulfill any kind of function. Multiple neurons have to connect and work together, form a network if you so will, to perform tasks.

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