sasp@venus.lerc.nasa.gov (James Fincannon) (12/29/90)
I came across an interesting article that struck me as being applicable to virtual reality implementation. The article [Biological Function as Influenced by Low-Power Modulated RF Energy, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. MTT-19, No2,Feb 1971,pg 153-170] describes how sounds and physical effects can be induced upon people (even deaf) using EM fields at safe power levels. It was suggested that the neurons are being stimulated directly (i.e. tooth fillings, electric stimulation of the skin or induced skin vibrations were ruled out). The auditory effect was pinpointed to the temporal lobe which happens to be were the hearing neurons are located. Of course, the article is rather old, so I will have to look up more recent references to this phenomena, but has anyone in this group heard of recent work on the subject? Obviously, if you really can directly stimulate neurons/neuron groups this way, you may be able to simplify the various virtual reality interfaces (assuming good RF pointing, detailed brain map, understanding of needed RF coding/modulation). The author of that 1971 article was Allan H. Frey.