Brain-Inspired Computer Made From Duroquinone

hasu notes that scientists at the National Institute for Materials Science at Tsukuba in Japan have created a device, consisting of 17 duroquinone molecules on a gold surface, that can in theory encode 4.3 billion outcomes. The "device" does not constitute a practical computer, since it requires both a scanning tunneling microscope and operation near absolute zero. A single duroquinone is surrounded by sixteen others, and weak chemical bonds allow a pulse to the central molecule to shift all seventeen molecules in a variety of ways. Each duroquinone has four different "settings," so a single pulse can have 4^16 possible outcomes. As a demonstration the researchers docked 8 other nano-devices to their 17-molecule computer. It is unclear how well they have characterized the inputs that result in 4.3 billion different outputs. They are working on a 3D design that would have 1,024 duroquinone molecules surrounding a central one.

But...

[BrunoBigfoot]

will it run Linux?

So it can store an integer up to 4.3 billion?

[CrazyJim1]

Doesn't sound like impressive computing. But hey, anyone doing research is at least doing something with their time.

Re:Elaboration Please

[stuporglue]

It will only work when run in a super cold freezer or, possibly, in Canada.

Really cold : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_zero [wikipedia.org]

Re:But...

[Anonymous Coward]

If you mean KDE with shinyness, heck no.
Command line, maybe.

I'd go with IceWM, considering the temperature requirements.

So, how's it not practical?

[Anonymous Coward]

The "device" does not constitute a practical computer, since it requires both a scanning tunneling microscope and operation near absolute zero.

I'm failing to see how that's practical. Surely a mother-in-law's nagging works as the microscope, and the region of her body associated with a heart in most people would suffice for the temperature.

State of the art??!??

[EmbeddedJanitor]

I thought the state of the art way to make brains involved copulaton.

Re:So it can store an integer Expressive...

[davidsyes]

It's EXpressive: Mathematical AND artistic.

But, if they use it in bugs, and they abandon their masters, it will give a new meaning to "buggin out". If they emerge from a wig-wearing woman, then we literally have "wiggin out".

But, as for expressionism.... do you want IMpressionism?

Some kind of robot or battlesuit, right?

[spun]

I thought the state of the art way to make brains involved copulaton.

Ah, Copulaton, my favorite Autobot. Or was it a Gundam?

Re:Wow, 4.3 billion states?

[eggfoolr]

Imagine how long the primary elections would take with that many States!

Hilary might just have a chance.

Re:Nano

[Ardeaem]

Nanotechnology? That's so early 2000's, we're onto picotechnology now!

Only lamers use picotechnology. I prefer emacstechnology myself.

Make a great D&D Number Generator

[Quiet_Desperation]

I heard on the first test it rolled a 20.

Re:But... What would it do for Brock's Spain in

[JLF65]

Clearly, but every funny man needs a straight man. :D