Thermodynamic Computing: The next computer architecture

I believe I have found a useful analogy that can help explain the new approach of Thermodynamic Computing: Surfing. The surfer may surf for pleasure or competition, but whatever their purpose, they become one with the ocean, harnessing its raw power to surf. They do not bring gasoline engines or other power sources. They take advantage of the thermodynamic noise of the ocean and ride for free.

All matter and energy in the universe, like our oceans, obeys the laws of thermodynamics, which dictate how energy and heat behave in any system. These principles have inspired a new approach to computing—Thermodynamic Computing—where the natural fluctuations and noise of energy are harnessed to perform computations more efficiently.

Thermodynamic Computing is an exciting new architecture that holds the potential of dramatically improving our ability to leverage the most advanced AI models while reducing energy consumption by orders of magnitude.

Today’s computer architecture is digital. Whether it is a computer in your pocket or on your desktop or a server in the cloud, you are using a transistor based system. If you use a Computer Processor Unit (CPU), a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) or a Text Processing Unit (TPU), you are using a device made up of digital switches and digital memory.

New quantum-based architectures are also being developed which leverage the ability to engineer systems that operate on quantum mechanical properties (see our Executive’s Guide To Quantum Effects and Computing) These go beyond simple digital systems since they can exploit quantum effects like superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunneling.

Thermodynamic Computing is a third approach. It is not based on transistors or qubits. It is based on the ability to capture and use energy from the continuous motion and of all matter.

For more see: https://oodaloop.com/analysis/disruptive-technology/thermodynamic-computing-the-next-computer-architecture/