Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Voxx on 21/04/2012 18:22:25

Title: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: Voxx on 21/04/2012 18:22:25

Now I know this is science fiction, but I would like some of your theory's on the matter.

I believe most of you are more educated than me and would have some theory's based on what I depict.

A device that can read and send signals to the brain via brain waves.  They would of course be software designed as a GUI that would interact with your visual spectrum.  It would also be able to connect to a global network (Web) in a WiFi like manner or maybe even satellite.  The hardest thing I'm trying to work around is an electromagnetic field that surrounds it.

Just to not keep people from the full picture and give a depiction of what i'm trying to do:
I am writing a book about Espers and have a character that has a natural Electromagnetic field surrounding their body.  They can reduce and weaken the field, but can not get rid of it completely.  How would you work around such a dilemma, would there be any solution you could come up with so the EMI does not interfere?

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: syhprum on 21/04/2012 19:54:34

The brain generates some magnetic activity but it is very weak and can only be detected by quantum devices in a very well shieled enviroment, I do not think as yet it has been possible to do more than the simplest thought reading from these emissions.

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: RD on 21/04/2012 21:14:40

read ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fVhggGSjXVg

send ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_magnetic_stimulation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_brain_stimulator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroprosthetics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: syhprum on 21/04/2012 22:58:02

The references to MEG would seem to be the area upon which I commented, ScFi writers often talk about the magnetic fields of one brain influencing another this of course could not happen but no doubt with the amplified "squid" signals being used to feed electromagnets near a recipients head some sort of communication might be possible but it could only be done in a very shielded area and does not seem very useful.

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: Voxx on 22/04/2012 00:35:43

Quote from: RD on 21/04/2012 21:14:40

read ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fVhggGSjXVg

send ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_magnetic_stimulation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_brain_stimulator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroprosthetics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy

This was positively fascinating, I had no idea such technology was already in development and I am very appreciative for your help RD.

 Back to the post, what I was trying to reach before was (What If) the technology was out.  With what you already know about the technology could you imagine beyond and tell me what steps you would take to bypass this kind of obstacle.

I also thank syhprum for your input.

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: CliffordK on 22/04/2012 02:50:55

Excellent links.
I liked the YouTube video.

For Input, also see the Cochlear Implant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implant), one of the most successful neuroprostetics. 

If you wish to consider the extraordinary flexibility of the brain, you might consider echolocation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_echolocation) 

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: Voxx on 27/04/2012 06:06:52

Interesting, but let me clarify further why I've created these posts.

The  main purpose of this post is for me to gain a better understanding of a character i'm writing about in a book.

I've created a character (Esper), which has Electrokinesis and Magnokinesis.  She can manipulate, enhance, and control; magnetic, electromagnetic fields, and electrons.

So could she manipulate the wave lengths around her and hear radio signals, maybe even change the frequency so she could hear far off noises?  Not changing her pysiology whatsoever, but changing the frequency rate?  Though I don't have a clear understanding of what i'm saying.  xx(

With the Echolocation could she expand her electromagnetic field or send electromagnetic pulses and read the signals like a bat?  Even though with bats they read it once it returns or bounces back.

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: syhprum on 27/04/2012 20:07:50

I wonder if our sercurity forces have considered direct access of brain waves as a means of "enhanced interrogation" I rememeber reading in a 1940's sc fi comic of the use of such a machine.

Title: Re: Is external communication with the brain using brain waves feasible?
Post by: Voxx on 27/04/2012 21:38:30

Quote from: syhprum on 27/04/2012 20:07:50

I wonder if our sercurity forces have considered direct access of brain waves as a means of "enhanced interrogation" I rememeber reading in a 1940's sc fi comic of the use of such a machine.

Do you think with her abilities she could do such a thing?  I would think what you have stated above would involve an Esper with Telepathy, but I'm not the expert in brain waves so I cant be sure an "Electro-Master" could do such a thing?

(Electro-Master is what i call the combination between Electrokinesis and Magnokinesis)  Do you have a better name perhaps?