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The '''positronic brain''' is an extremely sophisticated [[computer|computation device]] capable of artificial sentience, created by [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Noonien Soong]]. This device consists of an [[AI|artificial neural network]], designed to imitate the [[humanoid]] [[brain]]. The construction of a [[positronic]] brain is extremely complex, and Dr. Soong is the only scientist to have done so successfully - on at least seven occasions: three unspecified [[prototype]]s, [[B-4]], [[Lore]], [[Data]] and [[Juliana Soong]] (although the latter three were the only truly stable units).
 
The '''positronic brain''' is an extremely sophisticated [[computer|computation device]] capable of artificial sentience, created by [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Noonien Soong]]. This device consists of an [[AI|artificial neural network]], designed to imitate the [[humanoid]] [[brain]]. The construction of a [[positronic]] brain is extremely complex, and Dr. Soong is the only scientist to have done so successfully - on at least seven occasions: three unspecified [[prototype]]s, [[B-4]], [[Lore]], [[Data]] and [[Juliana Soong]] (although the latter three were the only truly stable units).
   
In early [[2366]], Data allowed [[nanite]]s to enter his neural network in order to communicate verbally with the crew of the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS ''Enterprise''-D]]. ([[TNG]]: "[[Evolution (episode)|Evolution]]")
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In early [[2366]], Data allowed [[nanite]]s to enter his neural network in order to communicate verbally with the crew of the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS ''Enterprise''-D]]. ({{TNG|Evolution}})
   
Later that year, Soong's creation, [[Data]], attempted to emulate his father's work, and created the [[android]] [[Lal]]. However, Lal's positronic net suffered a [[cascade failure]], and ceased functioning. ([[TNG]]: "[[The Offspring]]")
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Later that year, Soong's creation, [[Data]], attempted to emulate his father's work, and created the [[android]] [[Lal]]. However, Lal's positronic net suffered a [[cascade failure]], and ceased functioning. ({{TNG|The Offspring}})
   
On [[Omicron Theta]], Dr. Soong experimented with scanning the [[synaptic pattern]]s of the colonists' [[temporal lobe]]s and programmed them into Data's neural nets. ([[TNG]]: "[[Silicon Avatar]]")
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On [[Omicron Theta]], Dr. Soong experimented with scanning the [[synaptic pattern]]s of the colonists' [[temporal lobe]]s and programmed them into Data's neural nets. ({{TNG|Silicon Avatar}})
   
In early [[2368]], Data's [[positronic link]]s were severed, cutting off his brain from the rest of his body. ([[TNG]]: "[[The Game]]")
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In early [[2368]], Data's [[positronic link]]s were severed, cutting off his brain from the rest of his body. ({{TNG|The Game}})
   
A [[plasma shock]] was enough to overload Data's neural net. ([[TNG]]: "[[Power Play]]")
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A [[plasma shock]] was enough to overload Data's neural net. ({{TNG|Power Play}})
   
 
==Medical Uses==
 
==Medical Uses==
   
Dr. [[Julian Bashir]] implanted [[Bareil Antos]] with a positronic matrix to keep him alive after part of his brain stopped functioning. Bareil awoke but said that the sensations he was experiencing did not seem real and seemed like a distant memory. Later, when other parts of Bariel's brain stopped functioning, Bashir chose to let Bariel die rather than replace the rest of his brain with positronic implants. ([[DS9]]: "[[Life Support]]")
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Dr. [[Julian Bashir]] implanted [[Bareil Antos]] with a positronic matrix to keep him alive after part of his brain stopped functioning. Bareil awoke but said that the sensations he was experiencing did not seem real and seemed like a distant memory. Later, when other parts of Bariel's brain stopped functioning, Bashir chose to let Bariel die rather than replace the rest of his brain with positronic implants. ({{DS9|Life Support}})
   
 
:''It is not mentioned whether this technology is the same technology used in Data's brain, although this seems likely.''
 
:''It is not mentioned whether this technology is the same technology used in Data's brain, although this seems likely.''

Revision as of 11:51, 7 February 2007

File:Positronicbrain.jpg

A positronic brain

The positronic brain is an extremely sophisticated computation device capable of artificial sentience, created by Dr. Noonien Soong. This device consists of an artificial neural network, designed to imitate the humanoid brain. The construction of a positronic brain is extremely complex, and Dr. Soong is the only scientist to have done so successfully - on at least seven occasions: three unspecified prototypes, B-4, Lore, Data and Juliana Soong (although the latter three were the only truly stable units).

In early 2366, Data allowed nanites to enter his neural network in order to communicate verbally with the crew of the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "Evolution")

Later that year, Soong's creation, Data, attempted to emulate his father's work, and created the android Lal. However, Lal's positronic net suffered a cascade failure, and ceased functioning. (TNG: "The Offspring")

On Omicron Theta, Dr. Soong experimented with scanning the synaptic patterns of the colonists' temporal lobes and programmed them into Data's neural nets. (TNG: "Silicon Avatar")

In early 2368, Data's positronic links were severed, cutting off his brain from the rest of his body. (TNG: "The Game")

A plasma shock was enough to overload Data's neural net. (TNG: "Power Play")

Medical Uses

Dr. Julian Bashir implanted Bareil Antos with a positronic matrix to keep him alive after part of his brain stopped functioning. Bareil awoke but said that the sensations he was experiencing did not seem real and seemed like a distant memory. Later, when other parts of Bariel's brain stopped functioning, Bashir chose to let Bariel die rather than replace the rest of his brain with positronic implants. (DS9: "Life Support")

It is not mentioned whether this technology is the same technology used in Data's brain, although this seems likely.

Origins

The term 'positronic brain' was coined by Isaac Asimov.