The Future of Computing could be Magnetic. Levoodoo, CC BY-NC

The Future of Computing could be Magnetic

Magnetic-based spintronic computers could match the raw computing power of quantum computers, without the need for electricity.

Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an innovative new circuit that allows for precise computing without the need for electricity. The novel design instead relies on magnetic waves — an advance that makes a significant step towards magnetic devices. Dubbed ‘spintronics’ these devices have the potential to be more powerful and efficient than electronics.

Classical computers which depend on the consumption of massive amounts of electricity generate a huge amount of wasted heat. In contrast to this, spintronic devices use very little electricity in comparison and thus, generate far less heat — practically none, in fact.

An MIT-invented circuit uses only a nanometer-wide “magnetic domain wall” to modulate the phase and magnitude of a spin-wave, which could enable practical magnetic-based computing — using little to no electricity. (MIT)

Spintronic devices use a particular property of electrons on a quantum-level called the spin-wave in magnetic materials in a lattice-like arrangement. The process involves utilising modulation of this spin-wave to produce a measurable output correlated to computing.