Non-silicon cpu, mit researchers produce first of its kind

One of the most important factors that have fueled the advancement of computers has undoubtedly been silicon chips. However, even today, it is still a very difficult technology to implement. While improvements are possible (particularly with smaller node designs), it is costing companies insane amounts of money to produce them. You don't have to be an expert in the market, for example, to see how difficult it has been for Intel to leave behind the 14nm chips.

They have produced a CPU that does not use silicon

MIT researchers have claimed that they have made a breakthrough in creating chips with new materials. They have produced a CPU that does not use silicon.

The processor is based on the RISC-V architecture and has been created using carbon nanotubes. Known as the RV16X Nano, the chip itself is not particularly powerful and can currently only run a very basic program, and it also only supports RAM speeds of up to 10MHz.

However, each new innovation has to start at some point, and the potential within this design is arguably more interesting (and probably more profitable in the long run) than the continuing fight for low-nm silicon processor designs.

Visit our guide on the best processors on the market

Although this might not be too impressive right now, the potential on offer here is very interesting. Many believed that the design of a CPU was uniquely tied to silicon. As such, this design demonstrates that (at a minimum) there are alternative options in processor manufacturing for the future.

This RX16X Nano chip could be well remembered for years to come, being the first processor not to use silicon. Although we are still far from seeing a business model, this is a very important first advance.

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