The neuristor

The NEURlSTOR, derived from neuron, is a term assigned to a class of structures that exhibits attenuationless signal propagation, as in the attenuationless propagation of the chemical burning zone along a simple fuse, or the attenuationless propagation of the ionic discharge along the axon of a nerve fiber. Totally distributed, one-dimensional electronic lines, exhibiting such a propagation mode, can also be realized. Attenuationless propagation represents no violation of energy conservation since, as the signal propagates, energy flows transversely into the line. A line consists essentially of a distributed, triggerable active element arranged so that when any portion of line is triggered, some or all of the locally available energy is converted into a form suitable for triggering the neighboring section of line. Thus, in a chemical fuse, if the temperature at any point passes threshold the resulting combustion generates a local temperature rise sufficient to activate the adjacent section of line. Although a fuse is a one-time device, the axon heals after each discharge and can be used an indefinite number of times. In conformity with the terminology of neurophysiologists, the period of healing, or recovery, is referred to as the refractory period.