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New Solution For Your Transistor BBQ

servantsoldier writes "There's a new solution for the transistor heat problem: Make them out of charcoal... The AP is reporting that Japanese researchers, led by Daisuke Nakamura of Toyota Central R&D Laboratories Inc., have discovered a way to use silicon carbide instead of silicon in the creation of transistor wafers. The Japanese researchers discovered that they can build silicon carbide wafers by using a multiple-step process in which the crystals are grown in several stages. As a result, defects are minimized. Other benefits are decreased weight and a more rugged material. The researchers say that currently only a 3" wafer has been produced and that a marketable product is at least six years away."

12 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Awesome by twenty-exty-six · · Score: 0, Funny

    I'll finally be able to build that transistor grill I've always wanted. Reminds me of back in High School when we would try to cook things on bare 486 DX2 chips. The cookies came out ok I guess...

  2. Sigh, i must be really tired. by Baka_kun · · Score: 4, Funny

    the text said "... that Japanese researchers, led by Daisuke Nakamura of Toyota Central R&D Laboratories Inc., ..."

    but i read "...that Japanese researchers, led by Duke Nukem of Toyota Central R&D Laboratories Inc., ..."

    other than this, Great, if this works in practice well be having new smaller cpus for everything.

    but im still waiting for a pda without screen, that uses my glasses as a screen.. but thats more of scifi than reality.

    1. Re:Sigh, i must be really tired. by Nermal6693 · · Score: 2, Funny

      but im still waiting for a pda without screen, that uses my glasses as a screen.. but thats more of scifi than reality.

      Making glasses into a screen is the easy part. The hard part is making them look like ordinary glasses, rather than a big sign proclaiming 'GEEK!'

  3. In Japan... by Johnny+Fusion · · Score: 5, Funny
    The researchers say that currently only a 3" wafer has been produced

    Hirohito: Oh! You must have very big wafer!

    Owner: Excuse me?! I was just asking you what you're up to with this manufacturing process!

    Nothing! We are very simple people with very small wafer! Mr. Hosek's wafer is especially small!

    Hosek: He he he! So small!

    Hirohito: We cannot achieve much with so small wafer! But, you Americans! Wow! Wafer so big! SO BIG Wafer!

    Owner: Well, I-I guess it is a pretty good size

    --
    There are two kinds of fool. One says, This is old, and therefore good. And one says, This is new, and therefore better.
  4. Charcoal processors? by gatesh8r · · Score: 3, Funny

    Gives new meaning to "burning up your CPU". Better hope the non-techies never open up their machines...

    --
    Karma whorin' since 1999
  5. Re:I for one... by bm_luethke · · Score: 3, Funny

    Briquette's? A true geek would realise that the chunk charcoal overlord is vastly superior in flavor, heat, cleanup, and ability to lead the masses.

    --
    ------- Sorry about the spelling, I suffer from two problems. Dyslexia makes it difficult to spell well, lazy makes it
  6. Six years away? Super! by teamhasnoi · · Score: 5, Funny
    I'll be able to use these in my flexible paper display ebook with fuel cell technology as I drive to work in my hydrogen powered flying car!

    I can't wait!

  7. Re:Finally... Heat can be put to good use by spellraiser · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, but I still think water cooling is the way to go, personally.

    --
    I hear there's rumors on the Slashdots
  8. Steve Jobs it coming! by ArcticCelt · · Score: 5, Funny

    Steve Jobs when asked what's next for the iPod:

    "You know, our next big step is we want it to make toast," Jobs answered. "I want to brown my bagels when I'm listening to my music."

    Damn Steve, again, he saw this charcoal technology coming before anybody. :)

    --

    Yahh, hiii haaaaa! -Major Kong, from Dr. Strangelove
  9. update your calendar by rozz · · Score: 2, Funny
    "The researchers say that currently only a 3" wafer has been produced and that a marketable product is at least six years away."

    duplicate /. article incoming ... estimated period of arrival: 6 years later .. please update your calendar for Aug2010

    --
    "There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
  10. The good news, the bad news.... by mikael · · Score: 4, Funny

    The good news, your graphics card can be overclocked to 2 Terahertz, and still remain operational at over 650C.

    The bad news, is that the aluminum casing of your PC will melt at this temperature, so your PC will need te be built from titanium.

    --
    Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
  11. Re:Still not the solution by yourmom16 · · Score: 2, Funny
    The problem still remains that a metric buttload of heat is produced

    I've never been able to figure out how many libraries of congress a metric buttload is.

    --
    "We have got to make Stan understand the importance of voting, because he'll definitely vote for our guy." - South Park