Magnetics Business & Technology - July/August 2021 - 16

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Magnetism Plays Key Roles in DARPA Research to Develop Brain-Machine
Interface without Surgery
Some of the most exotic research involving magnetism is sponsored
by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency,
known as DARPA. One of their programs, literally, boggles the
mind as it delves into areas once considered the realm of science
fiction and could lead to new medical breakthroughs.
Under its Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology (N3)
program, scientists at prestigious research labs are exploring how
to make wearable brain-machine interfaces that could ultimately
enable diverse national security applications such as control of
active cyber defense systems and swarms of unmanned aerial
vehicles, or teaming with computer systems to multitask during
complex missions.
The agency recently awarded funding to six organizations for the
second phase of the program which began in 2018. Taking the
lead are Battelle Memorial Institute, Carnegie Mellon University,
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Palo Alto
Research Center (PARC), Rice University, and Teledyne Scientific
along with other institutions serving as collaborators.
Several of the projects are aligned closely with magnetism effects
and technology. We reached out to DARPA and the project teams
for details about two of them, particularly - Brainstorm project led
by Battelle and MOANA project let by Rice University.
" DARPA is preparing for a future in which a combination of unmanned
systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber operations may
cause conflicts to play out on timelines that are too short for humans
to effectively manage with current technology alone, " said
Al Emondi, the N3 program manager. " By creating a more accessible
brain-machine interface that doesn't require surgery to use,
DARPA could deliver tools that allow mission commanders to remain
meaningfully involved in dynamic operations that unfold at
rapid speed. "
For the military's primarily able-bodied population to benefit from
16 Magnetics Business & Technology * July/August 2021
The N3 teams are pursuing a range of approaches that use optics,
acoustics and electromagnetics to record neural activity and
send signals back to the brain at high speed and resolution. The
research is split between two tracks. Teams are pursuing either
completely noninvasive interfaces that are entirely external to the
body or minutely invasive interface systems that include nanotransducers
that can be temporarily and non-surgically delivered
to the brain to improve signal resolution.
Noninvasive neurotechnologies such as the electroencephalogram
and transcranial direct current stimulation already exist,
but do not offer the precision, signal resolution and portability required
for advanced applications by people working in real-world
settings. The envisioned N3 technology breaks through the limitations
of existing technology by delivering an integrated device
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neurotechnology, nonsurgical interfaces are required. Yet, in
fact, similar technology could greatly benefit clinical populations
as well. By removing the need for surgery, N3 systems seek to
expand the pool of patients who can access treatments such as
deep brain stimulation to manage neurological illnesses.
http://www.MagneticsMag.com
Magnetics Business & Technology - July/August 2021

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