Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 7, 2008 12:51:17 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Could the Silicon Chip Max Out?

Posted Dec 16, 07 10:23 AM CST in Technology 

(Newser) – It’s been 60 years since three Bell Lab scientists invented the transistor, launching an electronics revolution that changed the way we live. Engineers have miniaturized the powerful on-off switches—eventually integrated onto silicon chips—about as far as they can. Now, companies are pouring billions of dollars into research aimed at finding other ways to speed up the devices, reports the AP.

"The pace of change is accelerating because we’re approaching a number of physical limits at the same time,” says Intel's CEO. That's led to a focus on making changes to the code used to run a transistor—(software based on quantum rules is one big push), to experiments with using more exotic substances as insulators, and to using light pulses instead of electricity to move data around the chip surface.

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • FTC Opens Antitrust Investigation of Intel

    Jun 6, 08 2:47 PM CDT
    FTC Opens Antitrust Investigation of Intel The FTC has opened a formal investigation of Intel over allegations of monopolistic business practices, the Wall Street Journal reports. The world's biggest semiconductor company, which denies any wrongdoing, received a subpoena this week. Intel also learned that it faces a $25.4 million antitrust fine from South Korea, even as it prepares to fight competitor AMD’s private antitrust lawsuit in Delaware’s District Court. More »

  • Intel, Microsoft Fund Multicore Research

    Mar 17, 08 12:50 PM CDT
    Intel, Microsoft Fund Multicore Research Intel and Microsoft will fund researchers at two universities working on new programming techniques for multicore chips, sources told the Wall Street Journal. The companies will reportedly provide $2 million annually for five years, to speed the development of chips that can contain dozens—or even hundreds—of microprocessors of multiple types. One of the grants is expected to go to UC Berkeley.
    More »

  • Intel Testifies in EU Antitrust Hearings

    Mar 12, 08 12:25 PM CDT
    Intel Testifies in EU Antitrust Hearings Intel officials testified before an EU antitrust commission yesterday in Brussels; the chipmaker is suspected of unfairly dominating the European market. Competitor Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and consumer groups are testifying today, reports the Wall Street Journal. The commission will consider whether rebates Intel offered to retailers that didn’t stock AMD products hurt consumers. More »

  • Intel Pushes 'Atom' Chips

    Mar 3, 08 12:20 PM CST
    Intel Pushes 'Atom' Chips Intel will push its tinest new chips behind the brand name Atom in an effort to create demand for two emerging types of computing devices. The Atom line includes chips already announced by the company, reports the Wall Street Journal. One, formerly known as Silverthorne, is aimed at cellphone-sized devices that Intel calls “MIDs”—mobile mobile Internet devices. More »

  • Intel Makes Smaller, Cheaper Chip

    Feb 22, 08 1:10 PM CST
    Intel Makes Smaller, Cheaper Chip Intel is working on a tiny, inexpensive microprocessor aimed at very low-end computers. Code-named Diamondville, the chip is for computers priced under $250, especially portable ones that Intel calls Netbooks. Manufacturers are creating such machines for emerging markets, as well as for industrialized countries, where they’re often bought as additional family computers, reports the Wall Street Journal. More »

A small device shown in this March 30, 2007 photo, taken in Columbus, Ohio, contains computer chips that allows fans to monitor a runner on a race day Web site, get updates by cell phone text message...   (Associated Press)
The updated iMac computer takes advantage of powerful %u2014 and tiny %u2014 chips, making it possible to fit the entire computer inside the frame of the screen.   (Associated Press)
This undated photo provided by IBM Corp. shows a scientist holding a thinned wafer of silicon computer circuits ready for bonding to another circuit wafer using IBM's new process for stacking chips three-dimensionally....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Intel  • microprocessors  • transistor  • Moore's Law


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Technology Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »