Preparing for the Intelligence Era From: Mechanical Engineering - 11/2010 - page 24 By: Ahmed K. Noor From Your Brain to the Machine Recent advances in cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging technologies are enabling a direct interface with the human brain. Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) provide a direct communication pathway between a human brain and a machine. The device is purely controlled by brain waves, which correspond to certain thoughts. BMIs tie directly to the brain’s neural system, and are often used to assist, augment, or repair human cognitive or sensory-motor functions. BMIs can be invasive, partially invasive, or non-invasive. The first category uses neuroprosthetic devices implanted within the motor cortex (the grey area) of the brain to restore damaged hearing, sight, and movement. The second category includes the devices implanted inside the skull, but outside the brain. Read the entire article at: http://memagazine.asme.org/Articles/2010/November/Preparing_Intelligence_Era.cfm Link to related information: Intelligent Digital Engineering EcoSystems http://www.aee.odu.edu/inteldigitalengecosys/