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That won't save us. Not unless you know how to build it in the next 5 years. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36836722 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id

That won't save us. Not unless you know how to build it in the next 5 years. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36836722 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36836722

pcdoodle 3y ago
^Soyjacks pointing^ Joking aside, besides power transmission, what other obvious things can this tech be used for?
- MayeulC 3y ago
  I'm just going to link the comment I wrote above :) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36867709 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36867709 Needless to say, this would be game-changing. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence etc, let's be cautiously optimistic here.
  - pcdoodle 3y ago
    Thank bro! are we talking like no heat loss in the traces on the motherboard type a deal or also on a wafer level internal to the CPU?
    - MayeulC 3y ago
      Probably both? At least the first. For integrated circuits, I think lead is a hard pass (for now), and the deposition process needs to be worked out. Ideally, this could be useful for the hottest paths: clock tree, high-speed buses, as well as the power supplies. There are a few hurdles though: high-speed voltage changes create changing currents, which creates variable magnetic fields, which IIRC may be a problem depending on the superconductor's characteristics. Processors also work at low voltages, which means that they need huge currents. Both magnetic fields and large current (as well as high temperatures) can break down superconductivity. So it's challenging, but probably doable. There are also superconducting structures that could replace transistors, see applications of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephson_effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephson_effect
      - pcdoodle 3y ago
        Appreciate the follow up. This could be really cool!
slashdev 3y ago
Even if you were right, it behooves us to act as if our actions mattered. Otherwise, what’s the point. I don’t think you’re right, for the record.
- Paul-Craft 3y ago
  You're right. But, we should also do things that matter. This wouldn't. Right now, our horizon is literally 5 years. Anything that doesn't help in the next 5 years needs to get in line, because we've got 50 years of inaction to make up for. OTOH, I am also not sure what we as a species can do in the next 5 years that actually will matter.

That won't save us. Not unless you know how to build it in the next 5 years. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36836722 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36836722

pcdoodle 3y ago

^Soyjacks pointing^ Joking aside, besides power transmission, what other obvious things can this tech be used for?

MayeulC 3y ago
I'm just going to link the comment I wrote above :) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36867709 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36867709 Needless to say, this would be game-changing. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence etc, let's be cautiously optimistic here.
- pcdoodle 3y ago
  Thank bro! are we talking like no heat loss in the traces on the motherboard type a deal or also on a wafer level internal to the CPU?
  - MayeulC 3y ago
    Probably both? At least the first. For integrated circuits, I think lead is a hard pass (for now), and the deposition process needs to be worked out. Ideally, this could be useful for the hottest paths: clock tree, high-speed buses, as well as the power supplies. There are a few hurdles though: high-speed voltage changes create changing currents, which creates variable magnetic fields, which IIRC may be a problem depending on the superconductor's characteristics. Processors also work at low voltages, which means that they need huge currents. Both magnetic fields and large current (as well as high temperatures) can break down superconductivity. So it's challenging, but probably doable. There are also superconducting structures that could replace transistors, see applications of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephson_effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephson_effect
    - pcdoodle 3y ago
      Appreciate the follow up. This could be really cool!

slashdev 3y ago

Even if you were right, it behooves us to act as if our actions mattered. Otherwise, what’s the point. I don’t think you’re right, for the record.

Paul-Craft 3y ago
You're right. But, we should also do things that matter. This wouldn't. Right now, our horizon is literally 5 years. Anything that doesn't help in the next 5 years needs to get in line, because we've got 50 years of inaction to make up for. OTOH, I am also not sure what we as a species can do in the next 5 years that actually will matter.