An interesting article out of Caltech where engineers there have made some headway on the future of computer chips. A photonic chip is one that will change the future in much the same way as fiber optic cables did. These new chips will use light to transmit data instead of electricity used in traditional chips manufactured today. The possibilities it opens up would make computers faster and also the transmission of data more efficient.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110804141714.htm