Moscow Polytech Develops Thermal Memory Prototype as an Alternative to Electronic Chips
Scientists at Moscow Polytechnic University have created a prototype memory device that transmits and stores information using heat flow instead of electrical signals. The technology can operate under extreme temperatures, high radiation levels, and in aggressive environments where conventional electronics fail.
The thermal memory represents a volatile random-access memory based on a silicon-aluminum system. Information is written and read by changing the temperature of a metal film when current pulses pass through it. The university has assembled a diagnostic setup for the thermal memory element with an OLED display to monitor device operation.
Beyond memory storage, researchers have developed thermal equivalents of diodes and transistors—the fundamental components of all electronics. They have also created a prototype thermal calculator that performs arithmetic operations by converting decimal numbers into binary thermal code.
The research is conducted at the Department of "Dynamics, Machine Strength and Materials Science" in collaboration with the "Optoelectronics" Research and Technology Center. The work is supervised by Department Head Arkady Skvortsov, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, and Vladimir Nikolaev, Head of the "Optoelectronics" RTC.
The technology is based on the thermal memory effect in metallization systems—a crucial component of micro- and nanoelectronics. Researchers use test structures consisting of metal film on a semiconductor substrate, through which current pulses are transmitted. The system records the distribution and changes in temperature across the structure's surface.
"Thermal memory and other thermotronic elements enable new approaches to creating logic and control systems. Their key advantage is the ability to function at high temperatures, in aggressive environments, and under strong radiation where conventional electronics rapidly fail," notes Arkady Skvortsov.
Thermal signals possess a significant advantage—they remain unaffected by electromagnetic radiation and radio interference. Thermal radiation can transmit signals through various media, including dielectrics, vacuum, or thin films, which is particularly important for micro- and nanoelectronics.
However, the technology faces substantial limitations. Heat propagation occurs significantly slower than electrical signal transmission, reducing operational speed. Controlling heat flow direction presents challenges since thermal energy dissipates in all directions. Moreover, maintaining and transmitting thermal signals requires more energy compared to electrical signals with equivalent information capacity.
To address temperature dependency and low switching frequency issues, researchers have developed a "floating zero" algorithm that enables the device to adapt to changing temperature conditions.
The complexity of integrating thermal channels into modern microchips, due to scaling limitations and necessary thermal insulation, currently restricts widespread implementation of such systems. Nevertheless, the development of thermal diodes, transistors, and memory structures is driving innovation in thermoelectronics and nanotechnology.
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