What and how many could be it ?
Well, Here's the first one - Quantum Computing
A quantum computer is a theoretical device that would make use of the properties of quantum mechanics, the realm of physics that deals with energy and matter at atomic scales. In a quantum computer data is not processed by electrons passing through transistors, as is the case in today's computers, but by caged atoms known as quantum bits or Qubits. A bit is a simple unit of information that is represented by a "1" or a "0" in a conventional electronic computer. A qubit can also represent a "1" or a "0" but crucially can be both at the same time - known as a superposition. This allows a quantum computer to work through many problems and arrive at their solutions simultaneously. "It is like massively parallel processing but in one piece of hardware," said Professor Artur Ekert of the University of Oxford. Further he said,
"They will not be used in run-of-the-mill desktop applications but specialist uses such as searching vast databases, creating uncrackable ciphers or simulating the atomic structures of substances. "
Now how about Light Computing -
"We are dissipating huge amounts of power in chips right now," said Professor Stan Williams of computer firm Hewlett Packard. And the problem will get worse as the components become smaller, making chips even more inefficient, he said. "If we could find new ways of moving information around a chip, we could significantly reduce the amount of power that is dissipated."
A potential solution would be to use particles of light - photons - instead of electrons to move information around and between chips. "Electrons will still be doing the computing but photons will be doing the communicating," he said. It is similar to the technology that is used to move data around the internet today but at a much smaller scale. The technology could be key for transferring data between massively multiple core chips - devices with several linked computing engines.
A potential solution would be to use particles of light - photons - instead of electrons to move information around and between chips. "Electrons will still be doing the computing but photons will be doing the communicating," he said. It is similar to the technology that is used to move data around the internet today but at a much smaller scale. The technology could be key for transferring data between massively multiple core chips - devices with several linked computing engines.
Next comes Spin Computing
Spintronics, also known as magnetoelectronics, is a technology that harnesses the spin of particles, a property ignored by conventional electronics. By using the spin of particles - detected as a weak magnetic force - scientists believe they can unlock almost infinite computing power.
"An electron always has spin and it can be spinning one of two different ways: up or down."said Mr Roche. These two different states can be used to represent a "1" or a "0" - the bits of information used by all computers. Basic spintronic devices are already used in today's computers. For example, most hard drives today use a "spin valve", a device that reads information off the individual disks or platters that make up a hard drive. But researchers at firms such as Intel and IBM are hoping to take this one stage further. "We are hoping to use it to store data, to transmit data; to do all the things we do now with charge but to use the spin property of the electron instead," said Mr Roche. Chips exploiting spintronics would in theory be able to transmit data with spin using a lot less charge.
"An electron always has spin and it can be spinning one of two different ways: up or down."said Mr Roche. These two different states can be used to represent a "1" or a "0" - the bits of information used by all computers. Basic spintronic devices are already used in today's computers. For example, most hard drives today use a "spin valve", a device that reads information off the individual disks or platters that make up a hard drive. But researchers at firms such as Intel and IBM are hoping to take this one stage further. "We are hoping to use it to store data, to transmit data; to do all the things we do now with charge but to use the spin property of the electron instead," said Mr Roche. Chips exploiting spintronics would in theory be able to transmit data with spin using a lot less charge.
Well its enough for one post...there are other three remaining >>>
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