Memtransistor makes computers more like a brain

Researchers at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering created a so-called "memtransistor". This is a type of electronic device that works a bit like a brain, it can both store information in memory and process information. Perhaps it could one-day lead to smarter and more human-like devices. Potential applications include neural networks and brain-computer interfaces.

The combined transistor and memory resistor work more like a neuron and purports to make computing more brain-like. The new "memtransistor" would use less energy than digital computers and eliminate the need to run memory and processing as separate functions while also being more brain-like. Lead researcher Mark C. Hersam clarified the brain-like efficacy of the memtransistor: "...in the brain, we don't usually have one neuron connected to only one other neuron. Instead, one neuron is connected to multiple other neurons to form a network. Our device structure allows multiple contacts, which is similar to the multiple synapses in neurons... [but] making dozens of devices, as we have done in our paper, is different than making a billion, which is done with conventional transistor technology today." Hersam reported no barriers to scaling up to billions of devices.

Via: Slashdot