Brain-Inspired Computing Tackles Complex Equations, Paving Way for Energy-Efficient Supercomputers
Computers designed to mimic the structure of the human brain are demonstrating an unexpected capability: solving complex mathematical equations that traditionally require the immense processing power of supercomputers. This breakthrough, detailed in a study published in Nature Machine Intelligence, could lead to a new generation of energy-efficient computing systems with significant implications for national security and scientific research.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories, Brad Theilman and Brad Aimone, developed a novel algorithm that allows neuromorphic hardware to solve partial differential equations (PDEs). PDEs are the mathematical foundation for modeling a wide range of phenomena, including fluid dynamics, electromagnetic fields, and structural mechanics. Traditionally, solving these equations demands substantial computational resources.
“We’re just starting to have computational systems that can exhibit intelligent-like behavior. But they look nothing like the brain, and the amount of resources that they require is ridiculous, frankly,” said Theilman.
From Pattern Recognition to Rigorous Math
For years, neuromorphic computing – an approach to computer engineering that uses elements of biology – has been primarily explored for tasks like pattern recognition and accelerating artificial neural networks. The ability to handle mathematically rigorous problems like PDEs was not widely anticipated. The Sandia team’s work challenges that assumption.
Theilman and Aimone weren’t surprised by their results, arguing that the human brain is constantly performing complex calculations, often without conscious awareness. “Pick any sort of motor control task – like hitting a tennis ball or swinging a bat at a baseball,” Aimone explained. “These are very sophisticated computations. They are exascale-level problems that our brains are capable of doing very cheaply.”
The algorithm developed by the researchers closely mirrors the structure and behavior of cortical networks within the brain. “We based our circuit on a relatively well-known model in the computational neuroscience world,” Theilman said. “We’ve shown the model has a natural but non-obvious link to PDEs, and that link hasn’t been made until now — 12 years after the model was introduced.”
National Security Implications and Energy Efficiency
The potential impact of this research is particularly significant for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversees the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission. Supercomputers used within the nuclear weapons complex consume vast amounts of energy simulating the physics of nuclear systems and other critical scenarios. Neuromorphic computing offers a potential pathway to drastically reduce energy consumption while maintaining computational performance.
By solving PDEs in a brain-inspired manner, these systems suggest that large-scale simulations could be run using significantly less power than conventional supercomputers require. “You can solve real physics problems with brain-like computation,” Aimone said. “That’s something you wouldn’t expect because people’s intuition goes the opposite way. And in fact, that intuition is often wrong.”
The team envisions a future where neuromorphic supercomputers become central to Sandia’s mission of protecting national security.
Beyond Engineering: Unlocking Brain Function
The research extends beyond engineering advancements, touching on fundamental questions about intelligence and how the brain processes information. The findings could help connect neuroscience with applied mathematics, offering new insights into how the brain performs calculations.
“Diseases of the brain could be diseases of computation,” Aimone suggested. “But we don’t have a solid grasp on how the brain performs computations yet.” If a deeper understanding of brain computation is achieved, it could potentially contribute to better understanding and treatment of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The Path Forward
Neuromorphic computing remains an emerging field, but the Sandia team’s work represents a crucial step forward. The researchers hope their results will encourage collaboration between mathematicians, neuroscientists, and engineers to further expand the capabilities of this technology.
“If we’ve already shown that One can import this relatively basic but fundamental applied math algorithm into neuromorphic — is there a corresponding neuromorphic formulation for even more advanced applied math techniques?” Theilman asked, outlining potential future research directions.
The researchers express optimism about the future of neuromorphic computing. “We have a foot in the door for understanding the scientific questions, but also we have something that solves a real problem,” Theilman concluded.
