OSU researchers investigate new nanocrystals
Summary
"The extraordinary switching and memory capabilities of these nanocrystals may one day become integral to optical computing -- a way to rapidly process and store information using light particles, which travel faster than anything in the universe," explained Artiom Skripka, Assistant Professor in the OSU College of Science. The low-power switching capabilities of the nanocrystals align with the global effort to reduce the amount of energy consumed by power-hungry applications like artificial intelligence, data centres and electronic devices. AI applications not only demand substantial computational power, but they can often be constrained by limitations associated with existing hardware, a situation this research has the potential to address. "It could also mean more-efficient light-based devices of the type used in fields like telecommunications, medical imaging, environmental sensing, and interconnects for optical and quantum computers." Additionally, Skripka added, the study complements existing efforts to develop powerful, general-purpose optical computers, which are based on the behaviour of light and matter at the nanoscale, and underscores the importance of fundamental research in driving innovation and economic growth.