vanadium dioxide

  • Are synchronized ‘wacky oxide’ chips the key to brain-like computers? May 15, 2014 at 11:07 am

    Researchers at Penn State have created a new kind of computer chip that could be the key to creating neuromorphic (brain-like) computers that can solve incredibly complex problems while consuming just 1% of the power of current chips. These new chips contain a special “wacky oxide” (that’s the scientific term) material that oscillates at certain frequency, and synchronizes with other nearby wacky chips — much in the same way that nearby neurons often fire in synchrony.

  • Super-material could create robot muscles with 1000x human strength December 23, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    A new application for an old super-material has allowed researchers to start building real artificial muscles, though they can be several thousands of times stronger than any human!