Fire on the Electrical Neuron

Overview

Objectives/Goals To build an electrical circuit model of an integrate-and-fire neuron, and test its function: More specifically, to find out how integrate-and-fire neurons work, how to construct simple electrical circuits, measure voltage and current, and how to change the operations of the circuit. I also wanted to find out if this circuit could improve the processing speed of robots, computers, and other electronics. Methods/Materials First I researched and learned about integrate-and-fire neurons. Then I learned about electricity and basic circuit components. Then I constructed a circuit model of an integrate-and-fire neuron. I did some basic measurements on the model, like voltage across the integrating capacitors, and current through it. The materials I used: 1 Maxitonix Electonics Lab with wires, 6 AA batteries, 1 4.7K, 1 10K, 1 47K, 1 100K, 1 220K,1 470K resistors,1 relay, 1 meter, 2 NPN Transistors, 2 100uF capacitors, 2 10uF Capacitors 1 switch,2 light emitting diodes, wires, a voltage regulator, a millisecond timer, and a voltage meter Results My results have been that I have a working electronic circuit model of an integrate-and-fire neuron. Through measurements I verified the proper operation of this model. I also managed to change the firing time of the neuron model. For example, when I decreased the value of the input resistor the firing time reduced, and when I increased the value of the input resistor the firing time became longer. Conclusions/Discussion My conclusion is yes, I have an electrical circuit model of an integrate-and-fire neuron. The firing rate and charging rate, of the model can be controlled, by adjusting the input resistor on the circuit. It can collect and release charges like a neuron can with chemicals. I can also slow down or speed up the input like a neuron. I would like to have more different amounts of input resistance next time. Also I would like to have a circuit board dedicated to just that circuit. I would like to build a duplicate circuit and connect the two together to show basic processing. I would like to learn about the mathematical models of this type of circuits and develop some of my own. I would also like to figure out how this type of processor is applicable for robots, such as with their decision-making and sensing.

Competition history

• CSEF 2007 Electronics & Electromagnetics · Entry J0804

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

Related projects

Closest projects by meaning, across every fair and year in the corpus.

Browse more like this

• All Physics and Astronomy projects
• CSEF Physics and Astronomy projects
• Every CSEF 2007 project