Brain Inspired Computing, a talk by Dr Stephen Lynch FIMA SFHEA (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Abstract
The average human brain consists of about 100 billion neurons connected by around a thousand trillion synapses – it is the most powerful computer known and yet only consumes about 25 Watts of power. It has been estimated that a transistor-based supercomputer running for 48 hours from a 20-Megawatt power station would have an energy bill of over £100,000. Two mathematicians from Manchester Metropolitan University have invented a way to perform conventional computing using brain dynamics. The invention has potential applications in two scientific fields. In Computing, it could lead to the building of the world’s most powerful supercomputer. In Biology, it could provide an assay (test circuit) for cell degradation to help with drug testing for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Epilepsy. Stephen will be disclosing some recent exciting developments.
About the Speaker
Stephen Lynch is a Reader in the Department of Computing and Mathematics at Manchester Metropolitan University, a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and Chair of the North West Branch of the IMA. He won a National Teaching Fellowship in 2022. He has been programming in his teaching and research for over 30 years and has published books on Python, Maple, MATLAB and Mathematica. He has recently started running virtual one-day Python workshops for teachers and pupils of A-Level Mathematics in the UK.
Event Information
Non-members welcome, no charge is made to attend the talk.
Parking in North East multi-storey car park is free after 6.00 pm. Access is via Pritchatts Road (Sat Nav B15 2SA).
This event will take place in person at the University of Birmingham, and will also be broadcast online via Zoom. There is no need for in-person attendees to register. If you wish to join the event via Zoom, please contact Gemma Reeves by 4.00pm on the day of the talk.
After the talk, you are welcome to join the branch committee and speaker for a meal.



