uni.news

» Published on 29. Juli 2013

Chips that mimic the brain

Researcher from Bielefeld University involved in new development

Novel microchips imitate the brain’s information processing in real time. The neuroinformatics Junior Professor Dr. Elisabetta Chicca from the Center of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University together with colleagues from Zurich University, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), and the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt am Main have shown, how complex cognitive abilities can be incorporated into electronic systems made with so-called neuromorphic chips: They show how to assemble and configure these electronic systems to function in a way similar to an actual brain. The researchers published their results online on Monday 22 July 2013 in the online edition of the renowned journal ‘PNAS’.

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» Published on 17. Juli 2013

Using bacteria batteries to make electricity

Bielefeld students take part in iGEM competition

Their idea is state of the art: Ten Bielefeld students have set their sights on constructing a bio-battery. They want to make use of the bacteria Escherichia coli to convert glucose into energy. With this project, they are taking part in this year’s ‘international Genetically Engineered Machine competition’ (iGEM) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, USA. Since May, they have been spending a lot of their free time in the laboratory in order to realise their idea. Now that the first test results are available, the project enters an important phase.

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» Published on 8. Juli 2013

Measuring molecules in their undistorted form

New core facility at Bielefeld University

Using a special electron beam apparatus, scientists at Bielefeld University can determine the precise three-dimensional structure of gaseous molecules. To do this, Professor Dr Norbert Mitzel’s research team analyses the molecules in their gaseous state. Bielefeld University is the only institution in the European Union suitably equipped to conduct such gas-phase analyses. External research facilities are now able to use the device to have their substances analysed. The German Research Foundation (DFG) is providing 550,000 euros over a period of three years to fund the new Core Facility, which has been opened on 3 July, in the presence of international guests.

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