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Silicon Circuits That Bend and Stretch
Matty the Monkey brings us a story from the BBC about silicon chips which can bend, flex, and even stretch. Researchers have developed a method to create circuits just 1.5 microns thick, which can then be bonded to a type of rubber to allow a great degree of flexibility. Scientists and companies see uses for these circuits in products ranging from "electronic paper" to form-fitting sensor devices to advanced brain implants. From BBC News:
"To create the foldable chips, these circuit layers are deposited on a polymer substrate which is bonded in turn to a temporary silicon base. Following the deposition of the circuits, the silicon base is discarded to reveal delicate slivers of circuitry held in plastic. These are then bonded to a piece of pre-strained rubber. When the strain is removed, the rubber snaps back into shape, causing the circuits on the surface to wrinkle accordingly."
I, for one, welcome back our (5.25") floppy overlords!
...because you can stretch your rubber wafer out, put a 45nm circuit on it, let go and there you have a 20nm one at no extra cost!
*checks for patents*
Does it mean that Uri Geller found a new job ?
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
Do you really want your condom to tell you you're not good at it too? I mean, being chastised by your partner is one thing, but the condom too? You must be a glutton for punishment.
"Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional."
Does that mean I'll be able to buy a new PCI-E video card and just squish it into my PCMCIA slot? Will there be drivers for that?
I don't believe you, I'm here for a seat on the secret spaceship.