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A robot hand makes contact with a human finger on a dark blue background.
Fine Tuning Muscle Control with Light
By leveraging optogenetic stimulation for more precise muscle activation, scientists hope to advance neuroprosthetic technology.
Fine Tuning Muscle Control with Light
Fine Tuning Muscle Control with Light

By leveraging optogenetic stimulation for more precise muscle activation, scientists hope to advance neuroprosthetic technology.

By leveraging optogenetic stimulation for more precise muscle activation, scientists hope to advance neuroprosthetic technology.

neuroprosthetics

Patients Try Most Intuitive Hand Prosthetics Yet in Pilot Trial
Abby Olena, PhD | Mar 5, 2020 | 5 min read
Researchers and clinicians make small muscle grafts into the arms of amputees to amplify the signals from their peripheral nerves, which then direct the movement of a robotic hand.
an illustration of a person's head rendered in 1s and 0s
AI Decodes Speech and Hearing Based on Brain Activity
Shawna Williams | Jul 30, 2019 | 2 min read
The proof-of-concept study could be a step toward better assisted communication devices for paralyzed people.
Zapping the Olfactory Bulb Produces Phantom Smells
Shawna Williams | Nov 27, 2018 | 2 min read
Researchers envision a cochlear implant–like device for the nose to give people with impaired olfaction a sense of smell.
Modern Prosthesis
The Scientist | Sep 26, 2018 | 1 min read
See amputee Amanda Kitts manipulate objects using nervous impulses to control an early prototype of her advanced artificial limb.
Artificial Nerve Senses Pressure, Moves Cockroach Leg
Shawna Williams | May 31, 2018 | 4 min read
The device could one day help enable prosthetics deliver richer touch information to users.
Paralyzed Man Moves Arm with Neuroprosthetic
Jef Akst | Mar 30, 2017 | 2 min read
Two chips implanted in a quadriplegic patient’s motor cortex and 36 electrodes in his right arm allow the man to control the movement of his right arm and hand.
Artificial Ion Pump Mimics Neuronal Speed, Precision
Ben Andrew Henry | Nov 2, 2016 | 1 min read
Researchers create an artificial nerve that could be the forerunner of neural prosthetics.
Artificial Touch Enabled
Jef Akst | Oct 13, 2016 | 2 min read
A quadriplegic 28-year-old man senses touch via stimulation of electrodes implanted in his somatosensory cortex.
Opinion: Acquiring Extra Senses
Bernd Fritzsch | Sep 1, 2016 | 3 min read
Animals’ diverse sensory abilities will guide a technology-based revolution that gives humans perception beyond our natural senses.
Artificial Skin Communicates with Neurons
Jef Akst | Oct 19, 2015 | 2 min read
A new flexible sensor can detect touch and generate electrical pulses that signal intensity of pressure to mouse neurons in vitro.
Bionic Eye Success
Jef Akst | Jul 23, 2015 | 2 min read
An 80-year-old man with age-related vision loss receives a retinal implant that allows him to see basic shapes.
Three Monkey Brains, One Robotic Arm
Jef Akst | Jul 10, 2015 | 2 min read
Researchers network the brains of three monkeys to create a “living computer” that can steer an image of a robotic arm toward a target.
Retinal Film Detects Light
Jef Akst | Nov 13, 2014 | 1 min read
A new light-sensitive nanotube-based film could pave the way to more flexible and durable retinal implants.
Contributors
Molly Sharlach | Nov 1, 2014 | 3 min read
Meet some of the people featured in the November 2014 issue of The Scientist.
Cerebral Sleuths
Mary Beth Aberlin | Nov 1, 2014 | 3 min read
For neuroscientists, experimental results converge to help crack the case of how the brain functions.
Neuroprosthetics
Eric C. Leuthardt, Jarod L. Roland, and Wilson Z. Ray | Nov 1, 2014 | 10+ min read
Linking the human nervous system to computers is providing unprecedented control of artificial limbs and restoring lost sensory function.
Smarter Prostheses
Kerry Grens | Oct 10, 2014 | 2 min read
Artificial limbs and their wearers achieve more sensitive communication thanks to engineering advances.
The Bionic Eye
Various Researchers | Oct 1, 2014 | 10+ min read
Using the latest technologies, researchers are constructing novel prosthetic devices to restore vision in the blind.
Robo Retina
Daniel Palanker | Sep 30, 2014 | 1 min read
Learn about the photovoltaic retinal prosthesis from one of its developers, Daniel Palanker of Stanford University.
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