Friday 10 April 2015

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Michigan Micro Mote - a computer smaller than a rice grain

Those days are gone when computers used to be as large as size of a  room. These days, technology is developing at an exceptional pace compared to any other aspect of human life. Here is the result of persistent efforts of professor David Blaauw and five of his students. Professor and his students since the last decade were focusing on the development of world's smallest computer. They have developed a computer which is smaller than even a rice grain. Michigan Micro Mote (M^3) is only two millimeters across. Although this computer is extra-small, its features can't be underestimated. M^3 is powerful enough to take pictures, record temperature,pressure and can be used for radio communications too.
Michigan Micro Mote

Prof. David Blaauw says
To be 'complete', a computer system must have an input of data, the ability to process that data-meaning process and store it, make decisions about what to do next- and ultimately the ability to output that data. The sensors are the input and the radios are the output. The other key to being a complete computer is to supply it's own power.
The M^3 was eventually designed to be charged with light. When its operator strobes light at a high  frequency, it can send information to the Micro Mote. Then, it can process the data and send it to a different computer through radio frequencies. The Phoenix processor inside of the compute requires just 500 pico-watts ( which is pretty amazing because the power consumed by a single human cell is 1 pico-watts) in standby mode,  and it can charge its battery in a room with no natural sunlight.

As for the Michigan team, they think that the M^3 could prevent people from losing items, such as keys or wallets. The computers could be adhered to items that may get lost, and its central system could help users find items around the house.

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