Researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) in the US have come out with the world’s smallest « computer » — a device measuring just 0.3 mm to a side, completely dwarfed by a grain of rice.
Researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) in the US have come out with the world’s smallest « computer » — a device measuring just 0.3 mm to a side, completely dwarfed by a grain of rice.
Unlike traditional desktops that retain their program and data with or without a power back-up, these new microdevices lose all prior programming and data as soon as they are switched off, Xinhua news agency reported.
« We are not sure if they should be called computers or not. It’s more of a matter of opinion whether they have the minimum functionality required, » said David Blaauw, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, who led the development of the new system.
In addition to the RAM and photovoltaics, the new micro-computing device — Michigan Micro Mote — has processors and wireless transmitters and receivers.
As the Motes are too small to have conventional radio antennae, they receive and transmit data with visible light. A base station provides light for power and programming, and it receives the data.
Designed as a precision temperature sensor, the new device converts temperatures into time intervals, defined with electronic pulses. The intervals are measured on-chip against a steady time interval sent by the base station and then converted into a temperature.
As a result, the computer can report temperatures in minuscule regions, such as a cluster of cells, with an error of about 0.1 degree Celsius.
The system is very flexible and could be reimagined for a variety of purposes.
The device can help in oncology research. « Since the temperature sensor is small and biocompatible, we can implant it into a mouse where cancer cells are growing, » said Gary Luker, a UM professor of radiology and biomedical engineering.
« We are using this temperature sensor to investigate variations in temperature within a tumour versus normal tissue and if we can use changes in temperature to determine success or failure of therapy. »
The study was presented on Thursday at the 2018 Symposia on VLSI Technology and Circuits.
