Information Processor: Computer and the Brain

Professor Hsiu-Hau Lin from Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University

@ Room 104, CCMS-New Physics Building

Abstract:

Information may sound abstract to most physicists, except its confusing application to entropy in thermos statistics. Skipping the technical details, an effective information processor should contain two key functions: computation and storage. In this presentation, I would start with our recent breakthrough in magnetic random access memory (MRAM), explaining how spin current opens up brand new opportunity for the next- generation MRAM. Then, I would switch gear to discuss how our brains, presumably effective information processors, handle massive information from everyday life. Comparing similarities and differences between computers and our brains, it provides intriguing insights for building computers fed on information training and understanding our brains as well.

Brief Bio:

Prof. Hsiu-Hau Lin received Ph.D. degree at UC Santa Barbara in 1998 and joined the faculty at National Tsing Hua University in 2000. In the past two decides, he has applied statistical-field techniques to various research topics including spintronics, quantum magnetism, superconductivity, evolutionary dynamics and neurosciences. He was awarded Ta-You Wu Fellow at National Center for Theoretical Sciences in 2003 and selected as Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2006. Prof. Lin also devotes himself in education, receiving the prestigious ACE Awards (2013, 2014) from Open Courseware Consortium. He is currently holding distinguished professorship at NTHU, working hard on information processing mechanism in both physical and biological systems.

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