Unconventional computing

Unconventional computing covers a wide range of new and esoteric computing methods, including polymer computing, quantum computing, DNA-based computing, bio- and molecular computing, and amorphous computing.

These methods achieve computational operations without using silicon-based microtransistors or other standard solid state computing technologies. These methods are currently mostly in the research and development stage.

Historically, mechanical computers have been used in industry before the advent of the transistor. Mechanical computers retain some interest today both in research as analog computation devices.