The Fungal Future of Computing

Imagine a world where computers are powered by the humble shiitake mushroom.

TL;DR
• Scientists built a working computer memory out of shiitake mushrooms.
• The mycelium-based memristors have performance comparable to silicon-based chips.
• This technology could lead to low-cost, scalable, and environmentally friendly computer components.

Summary
Scientists have successfully developed a working computer memory using the mycelium of shiitake mushrooms, demonstrating a potential low-cost, scalable, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional memory hardware.

The researchers created memristors, circuitry elements that 'remember' their past electrical states, using the root-like mycelium of shiitake mushrooms. These memristors showed performance comparable to silicon-based chips, with a speed of 5,850 Hertz and an accuracy of 90 percent. The mycelial memristors were connected to a circuit and flooded with electrical currents, demonstrating promising results for future applications.

The development of computer components that mimic neural activity could lead to significant computational and economic advantages, particularly in terms of power consumption. The use of mycelial networks, which behave similarly to neural networks, could enable the creation of biodegradable and accessible computing components. Potential applications range from personal devices to aerospace, with the possibility of creating low-cost, fungal-based computers.

Key insights include:
• The use of mycelial networks as a potential alternative to traditional computer memory
• The development of memristors with performance comparable to silicon-based chips
• The potential for low-cost, scalable, and environmentally friendly computing components
• The possibility of creating biodegradable and accessible computing components for various applications

As the researchers note, 'The future of computing could be fungal.' What implications does this have for the tech industry and our daily lives?