Neural dust is a hypothetical class of nanometer-sized devices operated as wirelessly powered nerve sensors; it is a type of brain–computer interface.
[1] The design for neural dust was first proposed in a 2011 presentation[2] by Jan Rabaey from the University of California, Berkeley Wireless Research Center and was subsequently demonstrated by graduate students in his lab.
Neural dust sensors can use a multitude of mechanisms for powering and communication, including traditional RF [3] as well as ultrasonics.
An ultrasound based neural dust motes consist of a pair of recording electrodes, a custom transistor, and a piezoelectric sensor.
[2] Some examples of neural prostheses include cochlear implants that can aid in restoring hearing,[10] artificial silicon retina microchips that have shown to be effective in treating retinal degeneration from retinitis pigmentosa,[11] and even motor prostheses that could offer the capability for movement in those affected with quadriplegia or disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
While methods of electrical stimulation of nerves and brain tissue have already been employed for some time, the size and wireless nature of neural dust allows for advancement in clinical applications of the technique.
While these risks are not a factor in the use of neural dust, the challenge of applying sufficient electrical current to the sensor node, is still present.