Following a major breakthrough in nanotechnology, experts are predicting that tiny supercomputers that fit in the palm of the hand could soon be a reality.

A major scientific breakthrough in nanotechnology, particularly understanding the behavior of microscopic wires, could pave the way for the development of much smaller microchips using thinner wires, which, obviously, is a requisite for building a tiny supercomputer.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany and University of Rome teamed up and studied the behavior of wires when they are manipulated. These wires are said to be 1,000 times thinner than human hair.

The team found that wires on a nanoscale behave quite differently than bigger wires.

Dr Michael Zaiser, of Edinburgh’s school of engineering and electronics, told the BBC that “What we found is when we made these wires smaller and smaller they started to behave in a very funny way.”

The team also developed software which allows them to predict when problems might arise with the wires and how to avoid them. This software could help computer engineeres ensure that wiring remains effective even in a supercomputer the size of a palm.

“Holding a supercomputer in the palm of your hand will one day be possible – and we are going to make sure all the wires are in the right place,” Dr Zaiser said.

The findings of the nanoscale wire study have been published in the Journal of Science.

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Entry was posted on Monday, October 22nd, 2007 at 4:49 am under Technology.

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