Researchers Invent Energy-Saving Computer Chip

edited December 2004 in Science & Tech
University of Alberta researchers have designed a computer chip that uses about 100 times less energy than current state-of-the-art digital chips.
The greatly reduced energy consumption of this novel technology offers promise for many small devices with relatively low power needs. This technology could one day eliminate the need to recharge cellphones, help introduce smaller, ultra-high-speed communications systems, and advance the use of implantable health care devices, such as drug delivery chips. Research and development is ongoing before this technology can be implemented in products.

The team at the iCORE High-Capacity Digital Communications Laboratory, including Dr. Vincent Gaudet, Dr. Christian Schlegel, and former graduate students Dave Nguyen and Chris Winstead, created the microchip while working in the University of Alberta Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The communications chip was designed by Nguyen, manufactured by CMC (the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation) and tested at the University of Alberta.

This new analog processing technology has been used by Winstead to build the largest analog decoder chip fabricated to date, also built at iCORE's High-Capacity Digital Communications Laboratory at the University of Alberta. The iCORE HCDC Laboratory is a recognized world leader in this novel and promising technology.
Source: Science Daily

Comments

  • EMTEMT Seattle, WA Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    Sounds neat :thumbsup:
    Good job Canada.
  • CyrixInsteadCyrixInstead Stoke-on-Trent, England Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    How would it eliminate the need to recharge mobiles? You've got to power the antenna.

    ~Cyrix
  • MedlockMedlock Miramar, Florida Member
    edited December 2004
    How would it eliminate the need to recharge mobiles? You've got to power the antenna.
    And the backlight for the screen... :scratch:
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    Solar Power? Other renewable sources... it recharges itself faster than it uses that power?

    I am sorta asking the same question.
  • ShivianShivian Australia
    edited December 2004
    I think they use the phrase "one day" fairly loosely here. Sounds like the old "we've almost built a quantum computer".
  • KometeKomete Member
    edited December 2004
    THe probably mean like on one AAA batery it could run for a month so why get a regargable batery.
  • deepseadeepsea Lancaster, PA
    edited December 2004
    I'd still rather have a rechargeable than be replacing batteries. Maybe make it like the citizen watches, powered by motion.
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