A researcher at the USC Center for Neural Engineering is creating a silicon chip implant that mimics the hippocampus. It could replace its biological counterpart, enabling people who suffer from memory disorders to regain the ability to store new memories.
During the 20th century, science unlocked the secrets of the atom, created the computer and unravelled the molecule of life, DNA. That puts us on the threshold of a shift from an age of discovery to an age of mastery, according to physicist Professor Michio Kaku.
Scientists have successfully demonstrated the technology for controlling a computer by thought alone, raising hopes and fears about the potential for brain-machine interfaces.
Rats equipped with radios that transmit their brainwaves could soon be helping to locate earthquake survivors buried in the wreckage of collapsed buildings.
Brain implants have been used to "read the minds" of monkeys to predict what they are about to do and even how enthusiastic they are about doing it.
Economists are using brain imaging technology to investigate the interplay of fear, anger, greed and altruism that are activated each time we make an economic decision.
What used to be confined to speculative fiction is fast becoming scientific fact. Brain boosting, or "neural enhancement," is already being done - and much more powerful techniques are on the way. Some observers say we're rushing into this brain-gain revolution without sufficient thought or preparation.
Brief discussion of the potential of brain-machine interface technologies.
Bruce Sterling reports from a conference of "robo-ethicists" who are tackling the tough ethical questions of autonomous weapons and brain-machine interfaces.
"Nueromarketing" researchers are using MRI brain imaging technologies to map how individuals respond to political advertisements.