As predicted, the processing
power of a silicon chip almost doubles every 18 months. Advances
in silicon chips continue to enhance the capability of computers.
Industry experts believe that silicon developments will reach their
limit only around 2015. In the mean time, scientists are developing
several alternatives to increase the speed of computers with very
low power consumption.
IBM has recently taken a very bold step by developing the first
logic performing computer circuit from a single molecule using tiny
cylinders of carbon atoms. These carbon nanotube transistors were
possible by pouring a special polymer coating and subsequently etching
out part of it to change from Y-type to N-type transistors. This
new discovery helps to eliminate the wiring together of two different
types of transistors. This new technique would allow the scientists
to make as many transistors as required on one nano tube transistor
on a single nano tube.
As others like Hewlett-Packard are conducting the research, Intel
has built the fastest silicon transistor from 80 atoms in width
and 3 atoms in thickness. This transistor is 1000 times faster than
the existing microprocessor.
Who will win in this race? Only time will tell. But one thing is
certain that we are going to continuously make smaller computers
running at higher speeds and consuming a fraction of the energy
used today.
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