February 1, 2015
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmBuilding New Computers That Function Like Brains [Video]
A computer scientist explains new electronic components that could create giant leaps forward in computer speed and energy efficiency
By Josh Fischman
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Modern computers, from supercomputers to the smartphone in your pocket, all use a computing unit that does calculation and a separate memory unit that holds programs. Shuttling information back and forth between these two places takes lots of energy and time. A new idea, memcomputing, relies on components that works much more like the human brain, where the computing and storing units—neurons—are physically the same. This could mean a giant leap forward in computer speed and efficiency, and scientists are starting to experiment with memcomputing components to learn the best ways to use them. Massimiliano Di Ventra, a professor in the department of physics at the University of California, San Diego, and co-author of "Just Add Memory" in the February issue of Scientific American, explains how he envisions building a truly brainlike computer in this video.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
