In the past 50 years there has been an explosion of interest in the development of technologies whose end goal is to connect the human brain and/or nervous system directly to computers. Once the subject of science fiction, the technologies necessary to accomplish this goal are rapidly becoming reality. In laboratories around the globe, research is being undertaken to restore function to the physically disabled, to replace areas of the brain damaged by disease or trauma and to augment human abilities. Building neural interfaces and neuro-prosthetics relies on a diverse array of disciplines such as neuroscience, engineering, medicine and microfabrication just to name a few. This book presents a short history of neural interfacing (N.I.) research and introduces the reader to some of the current efforts to develop neural prostheses. The book is intended as an introduction for the college freshman or others wishing to learn more about the field. A resource guide is included for students along with a list of laboratories conducting N.I. research and universities with N.I. related tracks of study. Table of Contents: Neural Interfaces Past and Present / Current Neuroprosthesis Research / Conclusion / Resources for Students

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A native of Virginia, Dr. Coates received her undergraduate degree in biology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1995, her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Pennsylvania State University in 2001, and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Kentucky's Center for Microelectrode Technology. She is presently a private research consultant who specializes in issues surrounding neural interface construction. Her Company (TC Design Group, LLC) is the sponsor of Neuropunk.Org (http://www.neuropunk.org), a nonprofit educational project dedicated to the free dissemination of quality information relating to neural engineering. When not building Cyborgs she enjoys exploring planet Earth, SCUBA diving, and pursuing her interests in music and art.