Scientists 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 energy.
This device is being seen as the future of the computing industry, though it requires few more years to be available commercially.
