DNA computer from Maynooth runs 100-bit math without power

A team at Maynooth University has constructed a computer that runs on DNA rather than electricity. The device uses scaffolded molecular structures and self-assembling strands to perform arithmetic and calculations up to 100 bits, according to a report from Tom's Hardware. No power supply is needed; the computation is driven by the chemical reactions between the strands.

This is not a general-purpose processor but a proof-of-concept for molecular computing. The 100-bit capability is notable because it exceeds earlier DNA-based systems that handled only a handful of bits. The approach could eventually lead to computers that operate inside biological environments or in settings where conventional electronics are impractical.

The research is still at an early stage. The Tom's Hardware report does not mention speed, cost, or how the output is read, so it is unclear how this compares to silicon in practice. The main significance is demonstrating that complex, multi-bit logic can be encoded in DNA without external energy—an idea that may inform future hybrid or bio-inspired hardware.