| Let's get small, real small, and then we can go | | | | tiny 'puters, goto the following link for a microscopic trip |
| anywhere! | | | | throughthis miniature world. |
| No, I'm not advocating we shrink ourselves, but | | | | Venture Capital investments are being made not only |
| ratherdiscussing dramatic changes coming now that | | | | by |
| computers canbe tiny and inexpensive. Recent | | | | VC groups who recognize the dramatic potential of |
| movement in conservative,and previously very scarce | | | | tinytechnology, but a VC firm called Ardesta has been |
| venture capital investments | | | | formedto act as a nanotech "accelerator". |
| (in two notable areas) suggests a brave new world | | | | Ardesta has built a cheerleading squad around what |
| ofinexpensive, ubiquitous computing could be | | | | theyprefer to call "Small Tech", an industry growing |
| approaching. | | | | smallerby focusing their microscope on MEMS, or |
| What's ubiquitous computing and who cares about | | | | microelectro-mechanical systems. |
| nanotech? | | | | Why get small? Microsystems clearly cost less in |
| These are the areas gaining that precious VC funding | | | | rawmaterials, many of which are plastic. All cost less |
| now. | | | | topower since they are lightweight and tiny. Some |
| When I tried to discuss them with my wife she was | | | | even haveminiature power plants built right in their itty |
| NOTinterested, so naturally I assumed that most folks | | | | bittymachinery. Many of the same benefits accrue to |
| wouldfeel the same. But I'm fascinated, I gotta discuss | | | | carbontube nanocomputers being tested now on a |
| thiswith someone! Hang on and let's go for a tiny ride. | | | | pinhead sizedplatform. |
| Imagine a tube so small that it's 100,000 times | | | | Now comes the fun part! What happens when tiny |
| smallerround than a human hair, so small that atoms | | | | machinespowered by tiny microprocessors are |
| must passthrough them in single file! These tiny tubes | | | | humming away in tinycorners of every appliance |
| are the newbuilding blocks of miniature computing. I | | | | making them work better, faster,cheaper and more |
| won't attempt adescription here as I'm still a little foggy | | | | efficiently? Ubiquitous computing is here! |
| on the ideamyself. Suffice it to say that smart folks | | | | There's even a conference on this infant technology |
| are working onbuilding extremely powerful computers | | | | that isjust over two years old and still in diapers, but |
| that can also becheap, efficient and everywhere using | | | | growingfast as it approaches it's third event in |
| carbon nanotubes. | | | | September 2002. |
| Current chips are called embedded microprocessors. | | | | The idea here is not to make computers a noticable |
| Theycome in your watch, your TV remote, kitchen | | | | part ofour lives, but to make them disappear entirely |
| appliancesand your garage door opener. It has been | | | | while makingeverything easier. Is that clear-as-mud in a |
| estimated thatthe average American home boasts 50 | | | | really tinyriver? |
| microprocessors. Your | | | | Not only will all devices, furniture and even clothing |
| PC has about ten more! The mouse, the keyboard, | | | | becomputing constantly, but they'll each be connected |
| speakers, | | | | to eachother and to the internet to make life easier for |
| USB interface, etc. each have additional | | | | everyone. |
| microprocessors. | | | | As with all utopian dreams, there is a dark side to |
| If you are lucky enough to drive a new Mercedes, you | | | | thiswondrous little liliputian world. |
| have | | | | What about privacy? |
| 65 microprocessors parked right there in your | | | | With our underwear talking to global positioning |
| driveway! | | | | satellites,it may be possible to have a really tiny big |
| About this time, my wife is muttering, "So What!?" | | | | brother sewninto the elastic in your shorts. Wearable |
| O.K., I did propose a short and tiny ride, so let's takea | | | | computers areavailable now with blood pressure |
| left turn now look at what it means if | | | | monitors and tiny insulin-injecting pumps for those who |
| commerciallyviable (cheap) nanocomputers become | | | | need them. A microprocessorcontrolled artificial leg |
| available soon. | | | | allowed Curtis Grimsley to escapethe 70th floor of the |
| First and foremost, small and cheap mean computers'll | | | | World Trade Center on September 11. echnology |
| beinside everything you buy. They'll put them | | | | circuits/03KNEE.html |
| everywherethey're currently found, such as your cell | | | | When all of these tiny computers can talk with each |
| phone and PDA. | | | | otherand be connected to the web, it's time to take a |
| But where it gets really interesting is when it | | | | seriouslook at who has access to which |
| becomescheap enough to embed the little critters in | | | | microprocessor and when. |
| items thatdon't currently need computing power. Why? | | | | I propose that we do that now, before privacy |
| Because theycan! If you want the low-down on these | | | | concern becomesa giant issue in a shrinking world. |