"World's Smallest Computer" Is Here

Researchers at the University of Michigan 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. Unplug a desktop computer, and its program and data are still there when it boots itself up once the power is back. However, these new microdevices lose all prior programming and data as soon as they lose power. In addition to the RAM and photovoltaics, the new computing devices have processors and wireless transmitters and receivers. Since they 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. Researchers look forward to what purposes others will find for their latest microcomputing device.But one thing's for sure: The future is here. You just might need a microscope to see it.