Chinese scientists build world’s first AI chip made of carbon and it’s super fast
Chinese researchers have developed a chip that it could be a game-changer in modern computing
In a breakthrough that could redefine the future of computing, Chinese scientists have developed the world’s first carbon-based microchip capable of running artificial intelligence tasks using a novel ternary logic system, leapfrogging today’s binary-dependent technology.
The achievement, led by researchers from Peking University and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, marks a pivotal step towards next-generation semiconductors that could outperform silicon in speed, efficiency and scalability.
The team unveiled a carbon nanotube (CNT) transistor chip that processes data not just in ones and zeros, but also a third state, enabling computations to occur faster and with less energy. In experiments, the chip demonstrated flawless accuracy in image recognition tasks, a milestone detailed in the January issue of the journal Science Advances.
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CNTs are tiny tubes made from rolled-up sheets of graphene. They offer exceptional mechanical and electrical properties as well as excellent stability, and are mainly used as conductive additives in lithium-ion batteries.
However, due to their superior electrical characteristics and ultra-thin structure, CNTs are also a promising material for next-generation semiconductor technology. Compared to traditional silicon-based chips, CNTs offer higher carrier mobility, lower power consumption and the potential for even smaller transistor sizes – key advantages that could help overcome the limits of Moore’s Law, which predicts a doubling of semiconductor capacity every two years.
As early as 2009, CNTs were listed as a future technology option in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors.
Most modern electronic devices rely on binary logic systems, where all data is represented using zeros and ones. Therefore, introducing a third state could allow for more efficient data processing, enabling faster computations without increasing circuit complexity. This approach, known as ternary logic, improves information transmission efficiency within the same physical space.
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Chinese scientists build world’s first AI chip made of carbon and it’s super fast, source
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