If thoughts are 'encoded' on our brain's neurons...

If thoughts are electrical impulses, but somehow being encoded onto our brain's neurons, can we ever create a mechanism to decode those neurons?

A computer's harddrive allows the encoding and decoding of data. Our brains work in the exact same way at least in principle. So can we ever create a device that enables us to read neurons? Or even artifically encode data onto neurons (as in "The Matrix" and other stories involving 'instant learning')

Could even use it for law enforcement with the recently murdered, read their most recent memories and see if they knew who murdered them.

And the application in education is itself a reason enough to try.