The California Institute of Technology has created a computer- generated image illustrating their experiment to attempt to link brains to machines. This has enabled volunteers to make screen images appear and fade away simply by thinking.

The experiment, conducted in the US, involved 12 epilepsy patients surgically implanted with brain electrodes to locate the source of their seizures.

Neuroscientists used the electrodes to connect individual neurons deep inside the brain to images on a screen.

With practice, the volunteers were able to control the appearance of ‘hybrid’ images consisting of one picture superimposed on another.

On cue they could quickly make a particular image, such as Marilyn Monroe or former US president George Bush, ‘fade in’ or ‘fade out’.

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