Within the broader scope of engineering, I aim to take my skills into biological engineering, particularly neural engineering. Currently, in the subfield of brain-machine interfacing, there is a gap between what is theoretically possible, and what has been physically achieved. There are cases of successful animal experiments and some clinical successes, but by and large it is a challenge to decode neuronal signals into definitively understood messages, and to encode computer-originating commands into neural signals. Much of the work takes place in an academic research setting, and progress is documented in scientific journal publications.
One avenue of study and human application in this discipline is neuroprosthetics, or artificial devices that are used to repair, replace, or augment biological function, often as part of a therapy for those suffering from an illness or disability. Simple device examples include cochlear implants that repair hearing function, or prosthetic limbs that have basic functions controllable by the individual’s intentions of movement. Though the discipline has come a long way in a short period of time, there are still many hurdles to cross, including reducing device invasiveness and power consumption, improving range of functions devices are able to restore function to, and integrating devices into biological materials to convert “cyborg”-type treatments into more biologically natural alternatives.
Those struggling with neural tissue damage or loss of sensory/motor function number in the dozens of millions worldwide, suffering from diseases and disorders including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, conditions of partial or total paralysis or limb loss, a number of speech deficits, natural decline of sensory and cognitive function with age, among many others. Those working in this medical engineering discipline strive to restore normal function to people suffering from a neural-related deficit, primarily through experimental techniques in academic research and clinical research settings. Academic research investigates novel techniques, technologies, and therapies, and clinical research investigates their efficacy with real patients. Through these careful investigations, often funded by large research foundations like the National Science Foundation or the National Institutes of Health and clinically regulated by the FDA, engineers and scientists attempt to find and develop practical treatments.
Beyond restoration of function, organizations like DARPA fund research into neural augmentation, often for military applications, that allow direct interfacing between tactical technologies and personnel (usually military). One such application of the technology is integrating an individual’s neuromotor commands with the power system for exoskeletal/mechanical suits that augment the strength and weight-bearing capabilities of military personnel, thus allowing for natural mental control of the suits. The most cutting-edge work in this sector of the discipline is often rarely seen in detail by the public eye due to the classified nature of the technology, but public information is published similarly in scientific journals.
Ultimately, neural engineering is a new and rapidly developing industry with medical, military, and eventually, consumer quality-of-life applications, for which the possibilities for its use are nearly endless (restoration of function, sensory augmentation, information transfer/storage, cognitive enhancement, direct neural interfacing with devices and other people, etc.).
