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Magnetic Computing Takes a Step Forward

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the stuck-together dept.

MaceyHW writes "PhysOrg.com reports a big step forward in the development of magnetic microchips. Since their initial creation of a magnetic logic gate in 2002, an international team of researchers from Durham University, Imperial College, London and the University of Sheffield 'team has created a number of further "logic gates" and created interconnecting structures using magnetic "nanowires," which can now reproduce the logic functions of a conventional computer.'"

4 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. Magnetic Computing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    You mean like the kind of magnetic computing that's easily destroyed by a fridge magnet or unshielded set of speakers?

    Is this really a move forward?

    1. Re:Magnetic Computing? by mr+i+want+to+go+home · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I guess that's why the article suggests applications in "disposable" computing. I don't really have a problem with this - it's much the same as saying paper is easily destroyed by a glass of water or red wine. You just know to keep things in the right environment.

  2. Two Questions: by Comatose51 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    1. Anyone know how high they can scale in terms of speed in the near future?

    2. It seems like magneticism is somewhat harder to contain than electricity, even though they're the same thing. What I mean is that we heard about leakage in processors as we get smaller and smaller dies. How is interference from other units controlled/mitigated in these chips?

    I am definitely NOT a physicists so these question might sound lame but this is the first time I've heard of these chips and the article don't say much. Maybe I'm getting way ahead right now. New computational technology is always very cool, which I hope these chips are in the literal sense as well.

    --
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  3. Like in the 60s? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
    In the 60s, people explored all SORTS of whacko physics to try to find better switching elements. Logic using ferrite cores is nothing new. I'm not talking memory here, but Boolean functions done by windings on a core. Hell, Voyager and Pioneer are full of 'em.


    If it's magnetic logic on an IC, that's something new, yes. The basic idea, is not.