Making computers a million times faster: new efforts to work with superconductors

Article Abstract:

In the 1980s, American companies scaled back or dropped research efforts to develop computers using superconducting devices. Now researchers advocate renewed efforts. Americans who contemplate re-entering the field find themselves trailing the Japanese. Once again, questions are raised about long-range research in the United States. A report by the National Commission on Superconductivity, which advises Congress on superconductor industrial development, calls for greater effort in superconducting computers. There is particular interest in 'high temperature' superconductors, and researchers are exploring a technique called flux quantum logic. The report by the National Commission on Superconductivity envisions supercomputing processors arranged in parallel that could be used in a 'petaflops' computer, or one capable of performing one million billion operations per second.

Electronic computers, Semiconductor devices, Computer industry, Electronic components, International competition (Economics), Performance improvement (Computers), column, Semiconductor Device, Japanese Competition, Performance Improvement

---

New grids, rails and sensors: perfect conductors

Article Abstract:

Superconducting devices provide a great potential for the 1990s in areas such as transportation, medicine and energy. Superconductors are materials that pose no resistance to electricity and have traditionally been metal alloys frozen at near 460 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, or absolute zero. Certain ceramic materials have been discovered that become superconducting at about 235 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, which makes superconducting more practical. Superconductor devices allow electricity to flow along power lines with no resistance and make it possible to build powerful electromagnets that would allow trains to float above tracks. Superconductor devices are currently used magnetic resonance imaging, a technology that allows doctors to examine the human body in new ways.

Trends

---

U.S. is urged to make major computer effort

Article Abstract:

The executive summary of a report completed by the National Commission of Superconductivity says the United States should undertake a major effort to develop superconducting computers. The report will be given to the President. The commission does not recommend an increase in federal financing for research projects, nor does it recommend starting a research project to build a superconducting railway system. Instead the report focuses on building a supercomputer capable of performing in the 'petaflop' range, some million billion floating point operations a second. The report also recommends developing the technology to make wires made of high temperature superconducting material.

Product development, Industrial research, Supercomputers, Supercomputer, Computer science, Research and Development, National Commission of Superconductivity

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: 'Micros' vs. supercomputers. Export restrictions fail to halt spread of supercomputers. U.S. debates selling supercomputers to 3 nations
• Abstracts: Learning ecology from an illustrated data base, with sound effects. Seeing branches on the data tree
• Abstracts: Creating a giant computer highway; Robert Kahn's vision of a national network of information begins to take hold
• Abstracts: More home workers and more machines in their offices. An 'early adopter' and superfast thrills
• Abstracts: I.B.M. and Dell stake out the little picture in PC's. NEC aims to become major U.S. player, too. The PC surge in West Europe

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.