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A Swiss biocomputer startup has launched an online platform that provides remote access to computing a device of 16 human brain organelles. The FinalSpark neuroplatform is believed to be the world's first online platform providing access to biological neurons “in vitro”. The company claims that such bioprocessors consume a million times less energy than traditional ones.
A neural platform capable of learning and processing information, thanks to low power consumption, can reduce the impact of computers on the environment. In a recent research paper about their development, FinalSpark researchers claim that training an artificial intelligence language model like GPT-3 requires approximately 10 GWh—about 6,000 times more energy than the average European consumes in an entire year. Costs can be significantly reduced after the successful implementation of bioprocessors.
The work of the neural platform is currently based on an architecture that can be classified as wetware: a combination of hardware, software and biology. Neuroplatform's core innovation is the use of four multielectrode arrays (MEAs) that contain living tissue — organelles, which are three-dimensional cellular masses of brain tissue.
Each MEA contains four organelles connected by eight electrodes, which are used for both stimulation and recording. Data is transmitted through digital-to-analog converters (Intan RHS 32 controller) with a frequency of 30 kHz and a resolution of 16 bits. These key architectural features are supported by a microfluidic life support system for the MEA and monitoring cameras. Maintaining and reading data is supported by the corresponding software stack.
FinalSpark has provided access to its remote computing platform to nine institutions to help fuel bioprocessing research and development. Through collaboration with such institutions, the company hopes to create the world's first living processor. There are also already three dozen universities that are interested in access to the neural platform.
But there is one problem: biological processor organelles “live” for about 100 days, while silicon chips can last for decades. The neural structures that form bioprocessors are “suitable only for experiments that last several months.” At first they lived for several days, but now the life of the organoids has been significantly extended.
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