Transistor-less Chips in Ten Years?

[scuzzman]

In a paper published in the Journal of Applied Physics, three members of HP Labs' Quantum Science Research (QSR) group demonstrated a "crossbar latch," which provides the signal restoration and inversion required for general computing without the need for transistors.

"We are re-inventing the computer at the molecular scale," said Stan Williams, HP Senior Fellow and QSR director, and one of the authors of the paper. "The crossbar latch provides a key element needed for building a computer using nanometer-sized devices that are relatively inexpensive and easy to build."

Original story here.

[andsome]

We like potato chips, no transistors needed

[doug]

Are we going back to thermionics, you know diodes and triodes. Possibly with a couple of pentodes thrown in? :D

[-pops-]

I was reminded of the "organic computers" that were mooted as the next best thing as few years ago. I thought at the time the organic computer already existed and was usually called a brain but this was, apparently, something different.

It must always be remembered that there is a physical barrier to the maximum speed of any computer which is related to Einsteinian principles and the speed of light. Unless, of course, one goes into the realm of sub-sub-atomic physics where the normal rules of the Universe, which we may know, are not followed.

[andsome]

Are we going back to thermionics, you know diodes and triodes. Possibly with a couple of pentodes thrown in? :D

You forgot the nematodes

[Scarecrow Man]

I was reminded of the "organic computers" that were mooted as the next best thing as few years ago. I thought at the time the organic computer already existed and was usually called a brain but this was, apparently, something different.

It must always be remembered that there is a physical barrier to the maximum speed of any computer which is related to Einsteinian principles and the speed of light. Unless, of course, one goes into the realm of sub-sub-atomic physics where the normal rules of the Universe, which we may know, are not followed.

:blink:

Organic computers... Sub-sub-atomic physics...

English please!