Devices that mimic synapses – the junctions between neurons – could help us to produce more powerful computers
What is the idea behind creating an artificial synapse?
Dr Mike Schneider: When you have a connection between two neurons, whether or not one triggers the next is determined by the synapse. This mechanism is believed to be responsible for things like memory. Lots of neurons are connected and the strength of their connection is varied by synapses. We wanted to see if we could make physical devices that match that, as opposed to the transistors and switches used in traditional computing architecture. If you look to the human brain for inspiration for computing, it’s very impressive: you have 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion synapses, and yet it consumes just 20 watts of power. And it excels at tasks that our modern computers, which are fantastic at multiplying and dividing numbers, don’t do very well.
Denne historien er fra April 2019-utgaven av Skyways.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2019-utgaven av Skyways.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Fit For Purpose
Changing legislation offers a range of opportunities in the health sector
Good For Grinches
Finally! A holiday season Scrooge himself can invest in
A Paradise In The Wilderness
Visitors find freedom at Treedom on the Garden Route
Do It For The Kids
Parenting styles play an important role in helping children develop through the pandemic and beyond
Trekking With Teens
Travelling with adolescents comes with a unique set of challenges
Know Your Mind
Our brain uses shortcuts to think quickly but, sometimes, these mental timesavers let us down. Dr Pragya Agarwal discusses the science of cognitive biases, and why it’s more important than ever to understand how they hold sway over our views
Infected With The Travel Bug Again
As tourism-related establishments up their game to ensure visitor health and safety, it’s possible to feel positive about travelling again
Star attraction
Greater Kruger lodge makes a spectacular first impression
Palala position
The effect of the past on the present is positively felt in a luxury Waterberg lodge
Can the spam!
Irrelevant advertising will almost certainly turn consumers against your product
