source: sciencedaily ai: brain-inspired chip runs near absolute zero and could transform quantum computing
level: technical
researchers at the university of hong kong built a neuromorphic chip that operates at temperatures down to 10 millikelvin, just above absolute zero. the chip uses a standard silicon carbide mosfet in a new way to produce negative differential resistance, making a single transistor behave like a biological neuron. this spiking activity is driven by electron-donor impact ionization, a mechanism tied to the material's atomic properties rather than heat, so it remains stable and repeatable across manufacturing batches.
the device consumes thousands of times less power than conventional silicon electronics, reducing the thermal load on cryogenic systems. this allows the control circuitry to be placed directly alongside quantum processors, cutting the long wiring that currently limits qubit scaling. the team also showed that these artificial neurons can be cascaded into networks, enabling local data processing at low temperatures for tasks like quantum error correction and real-time control.
beyond quantum computing, the chip's ability to function in extreme cold makes it suitable for deep-space missions, where electronics must endure harsh conditions on the moon or in the outer solar system. because silicon carbide is already mass-produced for electric vehicles and power grids, the approach can leverage existing 300-mm wafer foundries, offering a scalable path to manufacturing.
why it matters: this hardware could make large-scale quantum computers practical by solving the wiring and heat problems that currently hold them back, while also enabling smarter electronics for space exploration.
source: sciencedaily ai: brain-inspired chip runs near absolute zero and could transform quantum computing