Skip to Content

Magnetic Chip

Computers process data electronically and store data magnetically; but what if you could make a magnetic processor? A microchip made of magnetic semiconductor material would have unique properties; for example, it could store information while simultaneously performing computations. To make a magnetic chip behave like an electronic one, researchers have tried to control the spin of electrons, with clockwise and counterclockwise movements representing the zeroes and ones of a digital system. Previous attempts have required extremely low temperatures, making them costly and impractical, but materials scientists at North Carolina State University recently built a prototype that functions at a range of 38 to 75 C. The researchers accomplished their goal by “adding manganese to gallium nitride,” says electrical engineering professor Salah M. Bedair. The rest of the recipe is a secret while the group’s patent is pending. One potential application: a laser or LED that can be tuned to different wavelengths by adjusting a magnetic field. Such a device could be valuable for fiber-optic communications. -C. Conti

Keep Reading

Most Popular

DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.

“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.

What to know about this autumn’s covid vaccines

New variants will pose a challenge, but early signs suggest the shots will still boost antibody responses.

Human-plus-AI solutions mitigate security threats

With the right human oversight, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can help keep business and customer data secure

Next slide, please: A brief history of the corporate presentation

From million-dollar slide shows to Steve Jobs’s introduction of the iPhone, a bit of show business never hurt plain old business.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.