Shiitake Mushroom – Next Generation of Brain-Like Computers
In an incredible scientific breakthrough, mycelium from shiitake mushrooms has been used to create functional memory devices such as computers, a type of gadget that can “remember” past electrical states. As Science Alert explains, this could spell nothing less than a complete transformation in computing, offering a low-cost, bio-based alternative to traditional hardware made from materials like silicon or titanium dioxide.
The finding supports the development of brain-like computers, which would need parts that mimic the structure of the brain, especially synapse-like memristors that regulate information flow between neurons.
“You don’t need much power in standby or when the machine isn’t being used because one can design microchips that mimic real neural activity.” That can be a huge potential computational and economic advantage, according to Ohio State University psychiatrist John LaRocco.
For a long time, mycelial networks have fascinated scientists with their ability to carry electrical and chemical signals to computers similar to those in human brains. It has proved difficult to use such biological characteristics for computing.
Because the shiitake mushroom is stable and resilient, the researchers wanted to explore this possibility. To allow full expression of the mycelium, nine samples were grown in a controlled environment on petri dishes. Once mature, they were carefully dried in a well-ventilated area in direct sunlight, to preserve them for use at a later date.
After preparation, the dried shiitake mushroom mycelium was incorporated into specially designed circuits and subjected to electrical currents in order to evaluate its computational capacity.
We would attach electrical wires and probes at various locations on the mushroom, because different parts have different electrical properties. LaRocco explained, “We were seeing different performances depending on voltage and connectivity.”
The group obtained an accuracy of about 90% and a remarkable switching speed of 5,850 Hertz. That means the so-called “mushristor” could switch signals every 170 microseconds. Although this performance is slower than even the most basic commercial memristors, which operate almost twice as fast, the results are very encouraging for an early-stage biological prototype.
It’s interesting to note that the researchers found the mushrooms performed poorly at higher voltages. By adding more shiitake mushrooms to the circuit, they were able to work around this limitation and greatly expand functionality.
While your smartphone won’t be replaced by a mycelium-powered computer anytime soon, this research provides an interesting starting point for the development of sustainable, organic computing in the future. Shiitake Mushroom paves the way for environmentally friendly microchips that can, at some point, perform complex computations using minimal energy, akin to the human brain. More than just a scientific novelty, this combination of biology and technology offers a vision of the future in which living materials may revolutionize how computers learn, think, and develop.
