Page 139 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Harun Yahya

Scientists’ Attempt to Imitate the Eye

Amazed at the eye’s functioning, and Inner retina
seeking to duplicate its superior fea- Outer retina
tures in the technological field, scien-
tists have recently begun to examine Optic nerve
more closely the flawless mecha-
nisms of living things in nature. A
number of studies in biomimetics
have greatly accelerated progress in
the technological arena.

Iris
Computer Circuitry Imitates Nature
Cornea
The retinal cells in our eyes recognize and in-
terpret light, then send this information to other cells to which they are
connected. All these visual processes have inspired a new model for com-
puters.
The retina, consisting of nerve cells tightly linked to one another, is
not restricted to only perceiving light. Before signals from the retina are
transmitted to the brain, they undergo a huge number of processes. For
instance, cells that compose the retina process information to accentuate
the edges of objects, called "edge extraction," boost the power of the elec-
trical signal and carry out adjustments, depending on whether the ambi-
ent illumination is dark or bright. Yes, powerful modern computers are
capable of carrying out similar functions, but the retina’s neural network
uses a relatively much smaller amount of energy. 93
One research team, led by Carver Mead of the California Institute of
Technology, is looking into the secrets that allow the retina to carry out all
these processes so easily. Together with the Caltech biologist Misha
Mahowald, Mead designed electronic circuits containing light receptors

137