As artificial intelligence and data centers drive up demand for electricity, an <a href="https://bitcomme.com/austin-startup-looks-to-move-chip-data-at-the-speed-of-light-2/” title=”Austin startup looks to move chip data at the speed of light”>Austin startup is working on a new way to help computers handle information: with light. (Photo: CBS Austin)
AUSTIN, Texas —As artificial intelligence and data centers drive up demand for electricity, an Austin startup is working on a new way to help computers handle information: with light.
La Luce Cristallina grows ultra-thin crystal layers on silicon wafers. Chipmakers could use the material to build photonic devices, which move data using light instead of electrical signals.
“The main idea is the material allows you to make photonic devices which are much smaller and consume much less power,” said Alex Demkov, the company’s CEO.
Demkov said the material could eventually enable devices that use “probably 100 times less power.” That is a potential future benefit, he said, if the technology is developed successfully.
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The company grew out of research at the University of Texas. Faster communication between chips could help computers process information more quickly, including when responding to requests from AI tools.
“It’s faster communication between chips, which means lower energy cost, which means faster compute and faster responses when you ask your AI agent to do something,” said Roger Bonnecaze, dean of UT’s Cockrell School of Engineering.
La Luce Cristallina’s opening adds to Central Texas’ growing semiconductor industry. Austin already has multiple chip companies, and Samsung is building a major manufacturing facility in Williamson County.
Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela said the startup’s work could complement the region’s existing chip industry and other economic development projects.
“It’s very exciting, and it dovetails with a lot of the other economic development initiatives that are happening, not just in Austin, but in the area,” Vela said. “Samsung is bringing one of the largest, if not the largest, microchip manufacturing plants in the world to Williamson County. Austin already has multiple other chip manufacturers, so having a company that improves that process, that betters microchips, it just dovetails with so many of the other companies that are already here in Central Texas.”
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