Spray-On Computers

Posted by timothy on Saturday August 23, 2003 @08:42PM from the topical-ointment dept.

Jack William Bell writes "Edinburgh University has funding for a program to create spray on computers. The basic idea is to make thousands of tiny 'silicon specks' or 'smart sand' (a step larger than smart dust) which work together via wireless networking to provide 'ubiquitous computing.' No, the idea itself isn't new. But it is interesting to see someone actually working on it. The initial application is a spray you apply to the chest of heart patients, creating a sensor array to report their health back to the hospital."

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This could be dangerous by grug0 · 2003-08-23 20:54 · Score: 5, Informative

Inhaling small particles of silicon dioxide, which is used as a coating on silicon chips, can lead to silicosis. Silicosis causes damage and scarring of the lungs, and possibly death.
The idea of spraying silicon chips directly onto patients should be approached with caution.