Credit: TED

Mice neurons rather than silicon circuit boards could be the key to an airport security computers according to one start-up. The Koniku Kore device is designed to sniff out explosives in the same way as a mammal.

The device is the work of Nigeria’s Oshi Agabi and is based around the idea that traditional computers and brains have differing strengths. While digital computing is all about speed and accuracy at crunching numbers, the neural networks in brains are ‘smarter’ when it comes to complex tasks, particularly ones that involved considering multiple options.

While some computer systems aim to replicate the neural network approach, Agabi believes that literally using neurons is a more effective approach. Exactly how far along Agabi is with turning mice neurons into usable technology isn’t clear, though the BBC reports he claims to have reached big-money deals with the security industry.

Agabi says the Koniku Kore device could eventually be built in to airports and remove the need for passengers to pass through security checkpoints.

While the fine details of the work are under wraps, Agabi says the biggest technological breakthrough is that the device can keep the mouse neurons alive for “a couple of months”, overcoming a natural problem with using biological components.