👉 Mineral computing, also known as mineral photonics or photonic crystals, involves the use of naturally occurring or synthetically engineered minerals to manipulate and control light at the nanoscale. These minerals, such as quartz or certain types of feldspar, have unique optical properties that can be harnessed to create materials capable of guiding, filtering, or amplifying light with high precision. By arranging these minerals in specific patterns, scientists can develop advanced optical devices like sensors, lasers, and waveguides that have applications in telecommunications, medical diagnostics, and renewable energy technologies. The inherent periodicity and symmetry of mineral structures provide a natural framework for designing photonic devices with tailored functionalities, making mineral computing a promising field at the intersection of materials science and photonics.
