A team of scientists is presenting an unusual computing model based on the use of springs instead of electronic chips, in a move aimed at exploring more durable and less energy-intensive alternatives.
Scientists from St. Olaf College and Syracuse University in the United States have developed a mechanical computer system that operates without the need for an external power source, relying on the tension of springs and the movement of steel bars to perform calculations.
This system is based on the idea of "physical memory" found in some materials, where materials such as rubber or metals can retain traces of previous movement or deformation, which inspired the scientists' design.
Unlike traditional computers that rely on electrical signals, these devices use physical components to perform logic and memory functions, making them a potential alternative to electronic processors in some applications.
The project started from a simple observation regarding the behavior of materials in everyday life.
"We usually think of memory as residing in storage devices or in the brain, but many materials also retain a mechanical memory linked to their history of use, such as rubber, which remembers how much it has stretched or compressed," says Joe Paulsen, associate professor of physics at St. Olaf's College.
Paulsen added that the goal was to explore the possibility of transforming these physical properties into tools for processing information rather than simply storing it.
Based on this concept, the team designed three simple mechanical devices made up of springs and steel rods, performing different computational functions; one acts as a counter for movements, another as a logic gate that distinguishes between odd and even values, while the third retains a memory of the force applied to it.
These models show that information processing can be done through mechanical movement rather than electrical circuits, albeit within limited computational ranges.
Scientists believe this idea could open the door to future applications in harsh environments where traditional electronics cannot withstand difficult conditions.
For example, sensors could be developed inside jet engines that operate without batteries, or prosthetic limbs that respond directly to pressure and movement.
Paulsen asserts that these results represent a step towards developing "smart materials" capable of sensing the environment, making simple decisions, and interacting with it, which could have implications for fields such as medicine and interactive engineering.
The team continues to research how to expand these systems and link their components together to build more complex mechanical networks.
The study's findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.
