OSMA provides an increase in the number of neurons that can be accessed in recording and stimulating applications of over two orders of magnitude compared to current technology. The short term use for this device will be to help understand the functioning of the brain. In the longer term, it may provide the basis for the next generation of neural prostheses such as cochlear and visual implants, pain relief, stimulation of muscles for control of arm and hand movement, posture, bladder control, etc.

We are also developing software to discern extremely subtle relationships between lists of neural firing events. This work is critical to understand the masses of neuroscience data that is being captured, but is also generally applicable to other large lists of events from other fields, such as sociology or market research.

Finally, we have developed one of the fastest software simulators of extremely large (10⁵ neurons), randomly-distributed, biologically-realistic neuronal networks. While this has obvious applications in neuroscience, for the first time we may be able to reach the holy grail of performing functions traditionally handled by artificial neural networks with networks of biologically realistic neurons using this simulator.

By incorporating Biotech with our other laboratories, we hope to achieve some synergism in the areas of micro- and nanotechnology, in microfabrication and assembly of microsensors and related opto-electronic technology, and in the general process of leveraging Schafer's capabilities, expertise and proprietary technology into commercial products and services.