At the University of the West of England’s unconventional computing lab, a highly original solution has been presented – a motherboard that uses fungal cultures as elements of a computing system.

To be more precise, mycelium is used, which is the vegetative body of fungi. Studies have shown that fungi can communicate with each other using electrical signals through the mycelium, that is, it can be used as a conductor. This is similar to how neurons in the brain “communicate”. Additionally, the mycelium can remember data, similar to the brain’s habit-forming principle.

Of course, such systems cannot compete with ordinary computers in terms of performance, but among their advantages we note increased resistance to failures, low energy consumption, as well as the possibility of growth and development.

“At the moment, these are just technical and economic studies. We simply show that with the help of mycelium you can do calculations, implement basic logic circuits and basic electronic circuits. “We will be able to grow more advanced computers and control devices on the mycelium in the future,” said Andrew Adamatzky, head of the laboratory. This is the principle according to the scientists. may lead to the creation of new neuromorphic information processing systems.