Honey,Shrunk,the,Chip,Let,get, technology Honey, I Shrunk the Chip!

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Let's get small, real small, and then we can go anywhere!No, I'm not advocating we shrink ourselves, but ratherdiscussing dramatic changes coming now that computers canbe tiny and inexpensive. Recent movement in conservative,and previously very scarce venture capital investments(in two notable areas) suggests a brave new world of inexpensive, ubiquitous computing could be approaching.What's ubiquitous computing and who cares about nanotech?These are the areas gaining that precious VC funding now.When I tried to discuss them with my wife she was NOTinterested, so naturally I assumed that most folks wouldfeel the same. But I'm fascinated, I gotta discuss thiswith someone! Hang on and let's go for a tiny ride.Imagine a tube so small that it's 100,000 times smallerround than a human hair, so small that atoms must passthrough them in single file! These tiny tubes are the newbuilding blocks of miniature computing. I won't attempt adescription here as I'm still a little foggy on the ideamyself. Suffice it to say that smart folks are working onbuilding extremely powerful computers that can also becheap, efficient and everywhere using carbon nanotubes. Current chips are called embedded microprocessors. Theycome in your watch, your TV remote, kitchen appliancesand your garage door opener. It has been estimated thatthe average American home boasts 50 microprocessors. YourPC has about ten more! The mouse, the keyboard, speakers,USB interface, etc. each have additional microprocessors.If you are lucky enough to drive a new Mercedes, you have65 microprocessors parked right there in your driveway!About this time, my wife is muttering, "So What!?"O.K., I did propose a short and tiny ride, so let's takea left turn now look at what it means if commercially viable (cheap) nanocomputers become available soon.First and foremost, small and cheap mean computers'll beinside everything you buy. They'll put them everywherethey're currently found, such as your cell phone and PDA.But where it gets really interesting is when it becomescheap enough to embed the little critters in items thatdon't currently need computing power. Why? Because theycan! If you want the low-down on these tiny 'puters, goto the following link for a microscopic trip throughthis miniature world.http://www.extremetech.com/print_article/0,3428,a%253D21424,00.aspVenture Capital investments are being made not only byVC groups who recognize the dramatic potential of tinytechnology, but a VC firm called Ardesta has been formedto act as a nanotech "accelerator". http://Ardesta.comArdesta has built a cheerleading squad around what theyprefer to call "Small Tech", an industry growing smallerby focusing their microscope on MEMS, or microelectro-mechanical systems.Why get small? Microsystems clearly cost less in rawmaterials, many of which are plastic. All cost less topower since they are lightweight and tiny. Some even haveminiature power plants built right in their itty bittymachinery. Many of the same benefits accrue to carbontube nanocomputers being tested now on a pinhead sizedplatform. Now comes the fun part! What happens when tiny machinespowered by tiny microprocessors are humming away in tinycorners of every appliance making them work better, faster,cheaper and more efficiently? Ubiquitous computing is here!There's even a conference on this infant technology that isjust over two years old and still in diapers, but growingfast as it approaches it's third event in September 2002.http://www.viktoria.se/ubicomp2002/The idea here is not to make computers a noticable part ofour lives, but to make them disappear entirely while making everything easier. Is that clear-as-mud in a really tinyriver?Not only will all devices, furniture and even clothing becomputing constantly, but they'll each be connected to eachother and to the internet to make life easier for everyone.As with all utopian dreams, there is a dark side to thiswondrous little liliputian world. What about privacy?With our underwear talking to global positioning satellites,it may be possible to have a really tiny big brother sewninto the elastic in your shorts. Wearable computers areavailable now with blood pressure monitors and tiny insulin-injecting pumps for those who need them. A microprocessorcontrolled artificial leg allowed Curtis Grimsley to escapethe 70th floor of the World Trade Center on September 11.http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/03 echnology/circuits/03KNEE.htmlWhen all of these tiny computers can talk with each otherand be connected to the web, it's time to take a serious look at who has access to which microprocessor and when.I propose that we do that now, before privacy concern becomesa giant issue in a shrinking world. Article Tags: Ubiquitous Computing, These Tiny