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Tag: logic

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    Building a Water-Based Computer

    Having previously tackled the “greedy” self-starting siphon, Steve Mould set out to build a water-based computer capable of adding simple numbers. To do this, he had to build logic gates capable of distinguishing concepts like AND and exclusive OR (XOR); the self-starting siphon was critical for this, diverting water down one output or another depending on the TRUE or FALSE result. With a series of water logic gates, he built a simple computer capable of adding numbers in binary. Check out the video to see it all in action! (Video and image credit: S. Mould)

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    Liquid Logic Gates

    Researchers have built logic gates–a physical implementation of Boolean logic–using droplets on a superhydrophobic surface.  The video above demonstrates their flip-flop memory gate.  Incoming droplets travel on a single track, striking a stationary “memory droplet” which then goes into one of the two output tracks according to its memory state. The memory state of the droplet relies on its position; the droplet sits on an infinity-shaped depression.  When the incoming droplet strikes the sitting one, the droplet will exit via the track closest to its depression.  The droplet that struck it will, as a result of the momentum transfer of the collision, rebound the opposite direction into the other depression, thereby storing the opposite memory state. See here for videos demonstrating other logic gates. (Video credit: H. Mertaniemi et al.; submitted by L. Buss)