Using Hydrogels as Scaffolding for Artificial Astrocytes in Artificial Neural Networks

For certain types of computations, neural networks that work according to the same principles as the human brain far outstrip any other type of computer. Depending on the type of computational work required, all types of processors including traditional CPUs, GPUs, optical processors, and artificial neuron-based computers each have their advantages. As the industry slowly sees an increase in usage of ASICs (not only for cryptocurrency mining) it has become clear that the most versatile computing devices will be those capable of performing calculations using more than one mode of operation, perhaps in concert with one another.

The structure of a hydrogel lends itself to the absorption of water, but once established, these fibers lend themselves naturally to facilitating the absorption of virtually any liquid including common semi-conductors provided that they are either molten or suspended in a liquid. A strategy built around developing hydrogels that can absorb molten semi-conductors may lead to the successful creation of semi-conductor clusters of astrocytes capable of a higher order of computational capabilities.

By applying molten dots of semi-conductor materials to the surface of a hydrogel, we may find that the metal, when in a molten state (but not so hot that it destroys the scaffolding of the hydrogel,) will adhere to the fibers that make up that gel and will spread along those pathways, which would form an astrocyte-like metallic structure.