crisscrossing Science Episode 042: Super Cold Computers for a Super Cool Future

In this episode, Chris Gaiser (professor of biology at Linfield College) and Mike Crosser (professor of physics at Linfield College) sit down with Norman Birge, a professor of physics from Michigan State University. Dr. Birge discusses his research into building computers with superconducting components. He has demonstrated, in principle, that these types of computers could be much more efficient than traditional computers because superconducting components will not generate heat. A lot of energy is used for computers currently in order to keep them from overheating during use (for instance, this is why your laptop has a built-in fan). A superconducting computer may solve this issue.