Fairfax Co. students create light-powered super chip, impacting data center industry

[Anonymous]

A group of teenagers in Fairfax County have created a supercomputer chip with the goal of reinventing the computer.

“We used to skip lunch,” said Sathvik Redrrouthu. “Make little structures out of popsicle sticks.”


Redrrouthu is one of the founders of Procyon, a company he started with his friends aimed at reinventing the computer, allowing them to on laser light rather than electricity. The group has been coming up and brainstorming ideas since their elementary school days.

“Random products like just coming up with new things and figuring out how we can make it work,” described Pranav Vadde.

There was a machine that provided a different way to enter a password. Then there was this theoretical device.

These days, these high schoolers are still working on the technology of the future. But this time, they have an actual prototype. Their latest invention is a supercomputer chip powered by light.

“The light coming out your light bulb is insanely fast. It's the fastest thing in the world,” explained Redrrouthu. “So we were like, what if you just replace all that electricity with just with light? So they're like small lasers like inside the chip.”

With this chip, information would travel faster and it allows computers to run a lot more efficiently.
Plus there’s the potential to make a positive impact on the environment too, something that’s been a major concern around data centers.

“The benefit of light is that it expels minimal heat,” said Pranav Velleleth. “So you don't need to have the same cooling infrastructure to cool your servers It's better for the environment. Doesn’t use as much water.”

They’ve traveled the world pitching their ideas, attending conferences and more, even getting funding from Silicon Valley investors.

“Our parents were supportive of us going and missing a week of school and that's overall a good experience,” said Velleleth.

While other students may be looking at colleges, they’re considering taking a gap year to fully focus on this.

“We're just really excited to see where this goes in the future,” said Maddipatla. “We're going to just keep working on it. We don't plan on stopping anytime soon.”

Their advice? Don’t be afraid to try and fail. There’s been a lot of ideas over the years, and they’re pretty proud of this one.

https://wjla.com/news/local/tj-high-school-fairfax-county-students-create-solar-computer-chip-procyon-data-center-industry-thomas-jefferson-powered-light-efficiently-silcon-valley-virginia-education

[Anonymous]

Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

No, I've heard of the idea but so far it hasn't been useful. Getting some young minds working on it is a good thing. The world is changing and so is computing. Computers aren't getting faster anymore, they are getting more efficient, or smaller, or more unconventional.

[Anonymous]

I wonder why the News Article does not say which HS the students attend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

No, I've heard of the idea but so far it hasn't been useful. Getting some young minds working on it is a good thing. The world is changing and so is computing. Computers aren't getting faster anymore, they are getting more efficient, or smaller, or more unconventional.

I'm sure those kids are making strides above Intel's dedicated lab https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1555/intel-labs-announces-integrated-photonics-research

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

No, I've heard of the idea but so far it hasn't been useful. Getting some young minds working on it is a good thing. The world is changing and so is computing. Computers aren't getting faster anymore, they are getting more efficient, or smaller, or more unconventional.

I'm sure those kids are making strides above Intel's dedicated lab https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1555/intel-labs-announces-integrated-photonics-research

So you're agreeing that it's good to see innovation, which comes from young minds - whether they have been hired yet or not.

[Anonymous]

Very cool!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

No, I've heard of the idea but so far it hasn't been useful. Getting some young minds working on it is a good thing. The world is changing and so is computing. Computers aren't getting faster anymore, they are getting more efficient, or smaller, or more unconventional.

I'm sure those kids are making strides above Intel's dedicated lab https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1555/intel-labs-announces-integrated-photonics-research

So you're agreeing that it's good to see innovation, which comes from young minds - whether they have been hired yet or not.

I think this is a particularly good parental resume pad. There is zero chance that those kids have access to the kind of labs to actually make the kind of progress they're claiming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

IBM has been working on this for 30+ yeers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

No, I've heard of the idea but so far it hasn't been useful. Getting some young minds working on it is a good thing. The world is changing and so is computing. Computers aren't getting faster anymore, they are getting more efficient, or smaller, or more unconventional.

I'm sure those kids are making strides above Intel's dedicated lab https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1555/intel-labs-announces-integrated-photonics-research

So you're agreeing that it's good to see innovation, which comes from young minds - whether they have been hired yet or not.

I think this is a particularly good parental resume pad. There is zero chance that those kids have access to the kind of labs to actually make the kind of progress they're claiming.

You are the smart one, arent you. Never mind, the 1517 founders fund that's backing their company.

Dont be a j@rk! learn to appreciate kids initiatives and efforts.

[Anonymous]

Good job boys!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea. They need to pitch it to the innovators, IBM and some other tech companies.

This isn't as unique as the local talk radio station implies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_computing

IBM has been working on this for 30+ yeers.

Who cares. IBM hasnt been successful in a lot of initiatives either. Grandpas talk about how it was once the only company in computer industry. Looks like you have lost touch with tech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why the News Article does not say which HS the students attend?

It does. It's just embedded into the picture caption (TJ)

[Anonymous]

*big eye roll* I don't deny that these kids are smart and entrepreneurial, but the marketing hype is just cringy.