at the University of Michigan have developed a pressure monitor device which
can be implanted in an individual's eye ball to track the progress of glaucoma.
They claim that it is the world's smallest computer system which is just 1 sq
mm in size. This device has been developed by Professors Dennis Sylvester,
David Blaauw and David Wentzloff. It is yet to be named.
The device contains an ultra low-power microprocessor, a pressure sensor,
memory and a thin film battery. It also consists of a solar cell and a wireless
radio with an antenna which can transmit data to an external reader device. This
radio does not require tuning to find the right frequency and so it can link to
wireless network of computers. To charge the battery, the device requires 10 hours
of exposure to indoor light or 1.5 hours of sunlight. Information can be stored
in the device up to a week. The device
takes measurements every 15minutes and consumes an average of 5.3 nanowatts
device is being seen as the future of the computing industry, though it
requires few more years to be available commercially.