Shiitake mushrooms used as living processors
Shiitake mushrooms function as living processors, offering eco-friendly computing solutions.
Why it matters
- Eco-friendly computing: Mushrooms offer a sustainable alternative to traditional semiconductor chips.
- Energy efficiency: These living processors could reduce power consumption in standby mode.
By the numbers
- 90% accuracy at high frequencies (up to 5,850 signals per second).
- 95% accuracy at low frequencies.
The big picture
- Fungi-based computing could lead to low-cost, environmentally friendly electronic components.
- Mycelium networks mimic neural activity, offering potential for scalable, self-repairing systems.
What they're saying
- Excitement about the potential to reduce reliance on rare-earth minerals.
- Humorous remarks about the sci-fi-like nature of the technology.
Caveats
- Early-stage research; real-world applications are still in development.
- Performance drops at higher frequencies but can be improved by adding more fungi to the circuit.
What’s next
- Researchers plan to explore ways to shrink the devices for practical use.
- Potential applications in batteries and electricity generation.