쌀 크기와 비교가 안될 정도로 작은 세계 최소형 컴퓨터 The ‘world’s tiniest computer’ is smaller than a grain of rice. Much smaller
The ‘world’s tiniest computer’ is smaller than a grain of rice. Much smaller.
By Kevin Parrish — Posted on June 22, 2018 - 11:27AM
Not to be outdone by the “world smallest computer” IBM revealed in March, a team at the University of Michigan is calling IBM’s bluff with an even smaller computer that’s “dwarfed by a grain of rice,” measuring just 0.33mm on each side. The university originally held the “world’s smallest” trophy with its 2mm x 2mm x 4mm Michigan Micro Mote until IBM’s smaller-than-salt 1mm x 1mm computer entered the scene earlier this year.
쌀 크기와 비교가 안될 정도로 작은 세계 최소형 컴퓨터
사진은 쌀의 크기와 비교한 것
크기가 0.33x 0.33mm
미시간대와 IBM은 컴퓨터 초소형화부문에서 맞수
미시간대는 IBM에 질세라 IBM이 올 3월에 공개한 세계 최소형
컴퓨터보다도 더 작은 크기를 개발해 이 부문에서 한발 앞서갔다.
이 대학은 원래 올해 초 IBM의 소형 1mmx1mm컴퓨터가 등장할 때까지
2mmx2mmx4mm미시간 마이크로 모터가 달린 "세계에서 가장 작은
"트로피의 기록을 보유하고 있었다.
미시간대학 팀의 이 초소형 "컴퓨터"는 빛을 전기로 전환시키는 방법인
광발광을 사용한다.
또한 빛을 통해 데이터를 주고받는 프로세서, 시스템 메모리, 무선 송신기 및
수신기로 구성된다.
황기철 콘페이퍼 에디터 큐레이터
Ki Chul Hwang, conpaper editor, curator
Although the word “computer” brings an image of a miniaturized PC sitting on the tip of your finger, the Michigan team now questions the term. When you power off a desktop or laptop, all the programs and data still reside on the device’s internal storage. Boot up the device and all your cat videos, games, documents reappear. That can’t be said with these “computers” created by IBM and the Michigan team.
The team’s new “computer” uses photovoltaics, a method of converting light into electricity. It also consists of a processor, system memory, and wireless transmitters and receivers that send and receive data through light. Rounding out the package is a base station that feeds the computer with light for power and programming. The station also receives all data transmissions.
Currently, the tiny computer serves as a precision temperature sensor. It uses electronic pulses to convert temperatures into timed intervals. The result, for example, is the ability to report temperatures in a cluster of cells within a tumor with an error rate of around 0.1 degrees Celsius.
“Since the temperature sensor is small and biocompatible, we can implant it into a mouse and cancer cells grow around it,” said Gary Luker, a professor of radiology and biomedical engineering. “We are using this temperature sensor to investigate variations in temperature within a tumor versus normal tissue and if we can use changes in temperature to determine success or failure of therapy.”
The team chose this task due to a need in oncology, but the computer is flexible enough to be attuned for a variety of needs such as audio and video surveillance, oil reservoir monitoring, cancer studies, and more. Once it goes live, other parties will likely discover new uses not imagined by the Michigan team just as they did with the Michigan Micro Mote.
At the Michigan team’s helm is David Blaauw, a professor of electrical and computer engineering (ECE). He’s joined by ECE professor Dennis Sylvester, and Jamie Phillips, an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and professor of ECE. Gary Luker is a longstanding collaborator who needed answers to questions about temperatures in tumors.
The road to getting the computer in working order wasn’t easy. Given its size, the system packaging is transparent, thus exposing the tiny circuits to the light emitted by the base station along with the computer’s own transmission LED. The team had to take a different route regarding circuit design.
“We basically had to invent new ways of approaching circuit design that would be equally low power but could also tolerate light,” Blaauw said.
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