Lifeboat Foundation

Optical computing aims to replace electricity with light to achieve faster, energy-saving computing.

Researchers have now developed an optical programmable logic array (PLA) that overcomes key hurdles, running advanced logic operations like Conway’s Game of Life. This breakthrough showcases optical computing’s future potential.

For years, researchers have explored ways to use light for computing, seeking faster speeds and reduced energy consumption compared to conventional electronic systems. Optical computing, which relies on light instead of electricity for calculations, offers promising advantages like high parallelism and efficiency. However, implementing complex logic functions with light has been challenging, limiting its practical applications.

As the rivalry between quantum and classical computing intensifies, scientists are making unexpected discoveries about quantum systems.

Classical computers outperformed a quantum computer in simulations of a two-dimensional quantum magnet system, showing unexpected confinement phenomena. This discovery by Flatiron Institute researchers redefines the practical limits of quantum computing and enhances understanding of quantum-classical computational boundaries.

Classical computer triumphs over quantum advantage.

Mimicking high-level abstraction of the brain to achieve energy advantages is a fundamental issue in neuromorphic computing. Here, the authors fabricate an asynchronous chip and demonstrate a high-accuracy neuromorphic system with power consumption of 0.7mW.

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Once relegated to theory, a newly discovered quantum object could be used to create new devices that will outpace modern electronics.

A new kind of quantum object called orbital angular momentum monopole has been identified that could revolutionize the emerging field of orbitronics, which leverages the rotational quantum states of electrons for next-generation computing devices that are faster, more efficient, and with dramatically lower power consumption.

As a result, orbitronics is seen as a potential successor to traditional electronics, where data is stored, transferred, and manipulated by controlling electric currents within transistors. As transistor sizes approach the atomic scale in order to fit more components onto a single computer ship, there will eventually be a limit where a transistor cannot become any smaller.

Trillium, the sixth generation of our custom-designed chip known as the Tensor Processing Unit, or TPU. But what exactly *is* a TPU, and how is it different from a CPU or GPU? A Google expert explains ↓

Learn more from a Google expert about CPUs, GPUs and TPUs — and Google latest TPU, Trillium.

Chip-based tractor beam Integrated optical tweezers use an intensely focused beam of light to capture and manipulate biological particles without damaging the cells.

Optical manipulation techniques are garnering increased interest for biological applications.

Optical manipulation techniques are garnering increased interest for biological applications. Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have now developed a miniature, chip-based optical trap that acts as a “tractor beam” for studying DNA, classifying cells and investigating disease mechanisms. The device – which is small enough to fit in your hand – is made from a silicon-photonics chip and can manipulate particles up to 5 mm away from the chip surface, while maintaining a sterile environment for cells.

Continue reading “Chip-based optical tweezers manipulate microparticles and cells from a distance” »

Researchers have long sought to harness the power of light for computing, aiming to achieve higher speeds and lower energy consumption compared to traditional electronic systems. Optical computing, which uses light instead of electricity to perform calculations, promises significant advantages, including high parallelism and efficiency. However, implementing complex logic operations optically has been a challenge, limiting the practical…

👁️🔍 Scientists have developed a transparent camera using see-through technology, paving the way for hidden eye tracking devices in everyday objects. #InvisibleInnovation

The problem is that placing a camera in front of the eyes tends to block the view. And mounting them further away makes them less accurate, more bulky and often more power hungry because of the extra data processing they require. This has limited their utility in many situations.

What eye trackers need is a way of hiding light sensitive pixels in plain sight.

Continue reading “Transparent Camera Built With See-Through Photoarray” »