Artificial intelligence is increasingly "hungry" for computing power, but current silicon-based technology is starting to show its limits, especially in terms of energy consumption. If we really want advanced yet sustainable AI, we need to change our approach. The solution, according to Oxford scientists, could come... from rust! Exactly, you understood correctly, precisely from that substance that devours iron. Indeed, from its "vortices". I'll explain.
Super powerful and very fast magnetic vortices
A team from the University of Oxford has discovered that tiny ultra-powerful magnetic vortices are hidden in iron oxide, the main component of rust. These vortices, somewhat similar to tiny hurricanes, are capable of transporting information at very high speed (hundreds of billions of cycles per second) and with minimal energy consumption.
Are you also thinking what I'm thinking too? These "magnetic hurricanes" could represent a real revolution in the world of information technology. The researchers are convinced that they can be used to build the next generation of processors inspired by the functioning of the human brain, much more efficient and faster than current ones.
A similar technology would open up immense scenarios
The fields of application of magnetic vortices are truly many. Certainly more than I can think of right now, namely:
- Artificial intelligence: AI would become faster, more performing and less dependent on large amounts of energy.
- Standalone devices: robots, drones and self-piloting systems could perform complex operations with a much smaller, lighter and more efficient electronic brain. Here too, consuming less.
- Green computing: this is an obvious consequence. The energy saved would have a huge impact on the environment, helping us in the fight against climate change.
And now?
Oxford researchers are facing the next challenge, that of designing devices capable of making the most of the speed and efficiency of these structures. It's not science fiction, it's chemistry meets advanced physics (with a pinch of inspiration from nature). Rust could truly become the high-tech material of the future! Who would have thought.
Source:
- Study “Robust and tunable family of spin textures in free-standing membranes of the antiferromagnetic alpha-Fe2O3”: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-25294-z
