There's a new idea to use light to switch superconducting signals with CMOS circuits. This could help in areas like quantum computing and sensors.
Using light for this switching can provide thermal isolation, which is a big advantage. It makes the connection between different technologies safer and more efficient.
Two methods to switch are discussed: thermal and non-thermal. Non-thermal switching might be better because it's more efficient, using light directly instead of heating things up.
Containerized missile systems aim to fit missiles into shipping containers for easy transport. This could help with quick deployment and keeping them hidden.
Most missiles are too tall for standard shipping containers, requiring them to be laid down horizontally. This makes launching them more complicated.
A new idea suggests using a small jump jet to lift and angle the missile for firing, making it faster and potentially cheaper than using a crane system.
Moore's Law shows that the number of transistors on chips grows, but the real limit to performance is how efficiently we can use power. Even if we add more transistors, we might not get better performance without better power management.
We need to consider the costs of power and cooling when designing chips, not just the cost of the hardware itself. Cooling efforts can be more complex and expensive as we push for higher performance.
New technologies and materials like photonics, 3D chip designs, and even concepts like spintronics might help enhance computing performance, especially for memory-related tasks, but there are many challenges to overcome.
Nvidia's GPUs are so good that even if competitors offered their chips for free, it's still not enough to beat Nvidia's performance. Overall, focusing only on GPU prices misses the bigger picture of total ownership costs.
Networking costs make up a large part of the expenses when using AI chip clusters. Even if you find a cheaper GPU, the added networking costs can make it more expensive overall.
AI chip startups need to consider the entire system's costs, not just the price of the chips themselves. If they don't, they may struggle to compete with Nvidia's established products.
Using the HyperX topology can be a good choice for connecting photonic wafer-scale systems, helping to improve efficiency and lower costs. It focuses on making connections quicker and cheaper in long-distance scenarios on wafers.
Photonic wafer-scale integration offers benefits like reduced energy use and lower latency compared to traditional electrical methods, but the right network setup has been a challenge. Finding a suitable layout is important for maximizing performance.
The HyperX design has advantages like fewer layers and a straightforward layout, which can help minimize complications in building these systems. It's a simple yet effective way to boost the performance of interconnects in photonic setups.
Nuclear aircraft need heavy shielding, which can make them less efficient. The idea is to separate the nuclear reactor from the passenger plane using a drone.
The drone would beam power to the airplane using lasers, which could reduce the need for heavy shielding and keep passengers safer.
This concept suggests that enough laser power can be delivered to make flying possible, but it's still just an idea and might not work out.