The Future of Computing Depends on Making It Reversible (2017)

The Future of Computing Depends on Making It Reversible (2017)

This idea of reversible computing goes to the very heart of thermo­dynamics and information theory, and indeed it is the only possible way within the laws of physics that we might be able to keep improving the cost and energy efficiency of general-purpose computing far into the future. Landauer’s reasoning can be understood by observing that the most fundamental laws of physics are reversible, meaning that if you had complete knowledge of the state of a closed system at some time, you could always—at least in principle—run the laws of physics in reverse and determine the system’s exact state at any previous time. Back to the Future

Reversible computing is based on reversible physics, where no energy is lost to friction

 

Illustration: James Provost

TWO IDEAL BALLS, perfectly elastic and free of internal friction, are dropped from different heights.

Source: spectrum.ieee.org