Engineering of Biomaterials for a High-Performance Optical Processor

This effort will develop a feasibility model of an optical planar processor system based on a biomaterial, bacteriorhodopsin (BR). Planar processing has the potential to perform certain types of computation algorithms thousands to tens of thousands timesfaster than traditional Von Neuman processors (e.g. Pentium). Image recognition/classification and speech recognition are two such areas where planar processing would offer major computational advantages. Optics is ideal for planar processing because ofits image nature. BR is a key enabling material to permit this form of optical processing due to its robust set of properties that are optically manipulated. BR has the advantage of being very sensitive, inexpensive to produce, has good dynamic range,and can be easily formed into many sizes and shapes. BR's parameters will be enhanced for various optical computing functions. A demonstration planar processor utilizing BR will be constructed and image recognition algorithms will be evaluated as part ofthe demonstrations.