How are mushrooms changing the world of tech?
Scientists at the Unconventional Computing Laboratory at the University of the West of England have been experimenting with mushrooms and their potential applications in computer architecture. They’ve actually managed to develop a ‘living PC’ using mushrooms.
Now, before you start imagining your office filled with mushroom-shaped computers, let’s clarify what this means exactly.
The researchers are harnessing the unique properties of fungi to create biodegradable alternatives to some plastics used in batteries and computer chips. The idea is to build a sustainable future where tech doesn’t contribute to the growing problem of e-waste.
But let’s pause for a moment… Mushrooms? Computers? Does this ring a bell with any of you gamers out there?
If you’re a fan of the TV series, ‘The Last of Us’, you might be feeling a little uneasy right now. For those who haven’t seen it, let’s just say that the show presents a post-apocalyptic world where a certain type of fungus (cordyceps) has some rather unpleasant effects on humanity.
But don’t worry, we’re not about to witness a real-life version of ‘The Last of Us’. The scientists are using cordyceps in their experiments, but they are far from creating mushroom-zombies. Their work is focused on exploring the feasibility of using fungi in computing, and so far, the results are promising.
So, how does this impact you? Well, imagine a world where your tech hardware is not only functional but also sustainable. Imagine contributing to a cleaner planet every time you upgrade your office computers. Sounds like a win-win situation, doesn’t it?
As we move towards a greener future, innovations like these could play a crucial role. So, next time you look at a mushroom, remember, it’s not just a tasty ingredient, it could also be the future of computing,
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https://www.techspot.com/news/97836-scientist-have-developed-living-pc-made-mushrooms.html