A new microchip developed by researchers at the University of Michigan uses 30,000 times less power in sleep mode and 10 times less power in active mode than comparable chips now on the market, the university announced Friday. Intended for use in sensor-based devices such as medical implants, environment monitors or surveillance equipment, the new Phoenix processor consumes just 30 picowatts during sleep mode. A picowatt is one trillionth of a watt -- in theory, the energy stored in a watch battery would be enough to run the Phoenix for 263 years.
June 16th 2008