Next Generation 2D Computer Chip: Does It Work Like a Neuron?

EPFL engineers have invented a new computer chip that can store and process data within a single circuit, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.

Composed of a 2D material known as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), the next-generation computer chip opens the door to energy-efficient electronics on a smaller scale than ever.

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The 2D material allows next generation computer chips to store and process data simultaneously

Typically, computers process data in one region, the CPU, and then transmit it to a different area, such as the solid-state drive or hard drive for storage, New Atlas reports. But while this system has remained standard for decades, it’s not the most efficient way to make a computer work.

For example, our brains, the most powerful computers in the world, use neurons to process and store information at the same time. And in recent years, engineers have attempted to mimic this dual function with chips using the architecture of in-memory logic, also known as a “memristor”.

The idea with this type of chip is to eliminate the need to move data enough to make devices that are smaller and faster – those that require less power than typical chips.

The new 2D computer chip opens the door to smaller and more powerful devices

The new EPFL study brings us a few steps closer to this idea. The company’s Logic in Memory chip is the first ever to be composed of a 2D material, consisting of a single MoS2 layer and with only three atoms thick. Additionally, the ultra-thinness of this material is ideal for shrinking devices and creating a wonderful semiconductor at the same time, New Atlas reports.

The new computer chip is technically known as a floating gate field effect transistor (FGFET) and is typically used for flash memory systems such as SD cards. Such transistors are typically great for holding an electrical charge for long periods. MoS2 is particularly sensitive to stored charges, which means it can perform both memory and logic functions.

“Our circuit design has several advantages,” said study lead author Andras Kis. “It can reduce the energy loss associated with transferring data between memory units and processors, reduce the amount of time required for processing operations, and reduce the amount of space required. This opens the door to smaller, more powerful and more energy efficient. “

As the fourth industrial revolution approaches, it’s worth taking a step back and imagining the future ahead. Quantum computers with processing power capable of dwarfing today’s most advanced processors, on a small enough scale to enable new applications that we have yet to imagine. While this is a scary time to be alive, it is also the most exciting.