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Getting wired: restoring movement and sensation through a brain-computer interface (Taste of Science @ Baderbrau)
The Taste of Science Festival continues at The Beer Bistro. Come nosh on tasty science bites, being served up in your favorite bars!
University of Chicago associate professor Sliman Bensmaia, PhD will discuss “Biological and bionic hands: Natural neural coding and artificial perception.”
Our ability to manipulate objects dexterously relies fundamentally on sensory signals originating from the hand. To restore motor function with upper-limb neuroprostheses requires that somatosensory feedback be provided to the tetraplegic patient or amputee. To this end, we develop approaches to intuitively convey sensory information that is critical for object manipulation through electrical stimulation of the sensory areas of the brain.
Northwestern professor Lee Miller, PhD will discuss “We zap the body electric: Restoring movement following paralysis with brain-controlled functional electrical stimulation.”
Spinal cord injury is devastating, and there is currently no real treatment. Ultimately we’d want to regrow the spinal cord, but in the meantime, it is now possible to literally reconnect the brain and muscles electronically. I will describe experiments in which we eavesdrop directly on signals in a monkey’s brain, translate them into appropriate control signals, and send them to an electrical stimulator that causes muscles to contract, thereby allowing voluntary control of paralyzed muscles.
Event information:
- This event is open to all ages
- Drinks and food will be available for purchase
- Tickets are free, $5.00 suggested donation at the door