US Patent 7751220 - Associative memory with magnetic nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7751220.html

Usually artificial neural networks and other forms of artificial intelligence are implemented using computer software. However, software lacks the real-time responsiveness necessary for several A.I. applications. Developments in nanomaterials have led to several suggestions for using components such as nanoparticles or memristors to implement physical neural networks which may avoid some of the problems of software. This patent represents a new suggestion for associative memory based on magnetic nanoparticles. Claim 1 reads:

1. An associative memory device comprising

a magnetically responsive layer adapted to store a representation of a pattern, the magnetically responsive layer comprising magnetic nanoparticles as a magnetically active component,

the associative memory device characterized by that the magnetic nanoparticles are dispersed in a solvent with variable viscosity, and

wherein the magnetically responsive layer is a layer of ferrofluid.