- The Ice River of Vaire Computing River reuses energy, reducing power by around 30%
- Startup leaders describe the test as proof of concept for reversible logic
- Despite the result, it is unlikely that the chip convinces hyperscal operators at this stage
An experimental chip designed by a startup in London has reached the phase of concept proof, showing that it can reuse part of the energy it consumes.
Vaire Computing hopes that his work will go in a certain way to meet the demand for growing energy of artificial intelligence systems, although questions remain on the question of whether such a technology will appeal to hyperscal operators who work on their own energy solutions.
The Vaire chip, known as Ice River, was tested in August 2025 and used approximately 30% less than a standard processor performing the same task, according to a report Science.
More a pendulum than a hammer
Ice River addresses two common sources of ineffectiveness in modern transformers.
First, instead of running a calculation only, the reversible logic of the chip allows it to operate in both directions, reusing the entries for other calculations rather than eliminating them as heat.
Vaire explains: “Although traditional computer flea can only use their stored energy once via a typical logic door, the ICE River chip uses a reversible logic door, which allows energy to be used in both directions.”
Second, Ice River uses adiabatic IT. Conventional fleas suddenly modify tensions, such as a striking hammer, which generates additional heat. In Ice River, tensions increase and gradually decrease instead.
This allows the system to recycle part of its own energy in subsequent operations.
Mike Frank, main scientist of Vaire Computing, said that current devices “use energy once, then throw it away”. The conception of Ice River is a passage from the brute power power to something more subtle. “You can think of [the energy] In shift from front to back, “he said.
Or, as Science Journalist Kathryn Hulick described it, the effect is “more like a pendulum than a hammer”.
For co -founder Hannah Earley, seeing the Ice River in action was a big thrill. “I sketched [the chip] on paper and [running it] in simulation, ”she said.
The company is positioned for longer -term development. In 2024, Vaire called on the former futureologist of the unofficial technology of Arm Andrew SLOSS as vice-president of technology, and also joined the incubator Silicon Catalyst UK to support his work.