The Nanomechanical Computer

eldavojohn writes "The BBC is reporting on a newly proposed type of nanomechanical computer that mimics J. H. Müller & Charles Babbage's work on mechanical computational devices — just on a much smaller scale. The paper is published today in the New Journal of Physics and cites three reasons to build a computer with nanomechanical transistors over bipolar-junction or field-effect transistors: '(i) mechanical elements are more robust to electromagnetic shocks than current dynamic random access memory based purely on complimentary metal oxide semiconductor technology, (ii) the power dissipated can be orders of magnitude below CMOS, and (iii) the operating temperature of such an NMC can be an order of magnitude above that of conventional CMOS.'"

Comments

Re:order of magnitude?

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah it doesn't make sense. In another context if something operates at 50C instead of -50C, would they claim log_10(-1) = i*pi/log(10) orders of magnitude?

Re:You don't need our permission

[Harmonious Botch]

And even when they do build one they will be turning their crank in public.

Re:"Pulling a Babbage"

[RuBLed]

I now have a string of unfinished projects to my name that certainly eclipses what Babbage did.

You must be renting a warehouse or something, I'm having trouble fitting a difference engine in our basement..

I, for one,

[Tu-Ply]

welcome our Nanomechanical overlords...

Re:Don't disagree

[Arimus]

Given the average ability of people to move their car correctly in two dimensions I, for one, am glad that flying cars are still not available...

Re:You don't need our permission

[Futile Rhetoric]

I'm with you, man. How dare this lazy asshole release an idea to the scientific community to criticise, or, God forbid, improve upon. Lazy fucking cunt.

Re:You don't need our permission

[Nullav]

Well, for what it's worth, communists think you have a really nice butt.