By tapping into the enigmatic theory of how neurons transmit signals, scientists have proven they can one day build computer chips with near-zero electrical resistance.
Researchers created conditions at the "edge of chaos," a transition point between order and disorder that allows for rapid information transmission, in an electronic device.
It allowed the scientists to amplify a signal transmitted across a wire without using a separate amplifier — overcoming any signal loss due to electrical resistance. Such a transmission line, which mimics the behavior of superconductors, could make future computer chips simpler and more efficient, the team reported Sept. 11 in the journal Nature.
A computer chip operating at the edge of chaos sounds like it might break down at any moment. But many researchers have theorized that the human brain operates on a similar principle.
Consider a neuron, or nerve cell. Each neuron has an axon, a cable-like appendage that transmits electrical signals to nearby neurons. Those electrical signals help your brain perceive your surroundings and control your body.