> most real processors actually have some ternary logic
Was he referring to the Z state? If so, it's not really ternary logic but rather a "no result" state for cases where there is a control signal involved (e.g., in a tri-state buffer).
Modern CPUs have phase-locked loops generating clocks for each region of the chip. These use separate pull-up and pull-down mosfets to control the frequency, so arguably ternary.
Even more non-binary things happen inside DRAM and flash memory.
Not really, no. More like an unnecessary detail, especially if it was an introductory course on the subject. It's not like knowledge of the Z state will suddenly change how you would design systems.
Was he referring to the Z state? If so, it's not really ternary logic but rather a "no result" state for cases where there is a control signal involved (e.g., in a tri-state buffer).