Nanoscale computer chips set to invade your cells

If you've followed the progression of CPU tech you've surely learned that improving nanoscale chip fabrication of processors is the key to success these days. Smaller transistors means more speed in any given chip -- or smaller chips of the same speed, an idea that has some researchers pondering what would happen if you were to inject a CPU into your cells. The team, centered at the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, was able to insert 3µm chips into living cells. Of those receiving this augmentation 90 percent survived, meaning if you were to get this treatment today you'd only be 10 percent dead. Right now the chips do nothing, but future applications include the potential for embedding sensors inside you, down where you store your deepest, darkest secrets.

[metaesapuet Posted Mar 15th 2010 11:48AM]

I can tweet about my high cholesterol automatically!

[ratchetnclank Posted Mar 15th 2010 11:55AM]

@metaesapuet Nano machines are here. MGS4 is happening fear the patriots!!

[Ivan Malagurski Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:09PM]

@metaesapuet :)))

[zweihander Posted Mar 18th 2010 1:09AM]

@ratchetnclank and when the pa.. the p..... the lalilulelo.. shit it's begun!

[EricEricEricEric Posted Mar 15th 2010 11:49AM]

if the speed of the first chip is around 666mhz, i'm going to be very scared.

[blueeyesm Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:06PM]

@EricEricEricEric

It'll be 667MHz for marketing reasons, of course.

[Joe Cool Posted Mar 15th 2010 11:50AM]

Hmmm... I wonder if this was announced at MIX. Cuz for sure engadget is live blogging all the Microsoft goodness that is going on there. Right?

[bazookafx3 Posted Mar 15th 2010 11:53AM]

They injected chips, just for the hell of it....? I'm all for science but thats kinda pointless...

[Giverous Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:07PM]

@bazookafx3
it's not just for the he'll of it. You have to test this kinda tech every step of the way. I sincerely hope your comment was in jest.

[Ken J Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:24PM]

@Giverous

...the study was on the injection mechanism and the survival rate of the cells...

I suppose this is rudimentary considering all of your cellular microchip implanting experience.

[Technos Posted Mar 15th 2010 11:55AM]

Cool, maybe we can implant bank CEO's with an emotion chip and see what happens.

[skaterdude Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:07PM]

@Technos HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[hemmy Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:47PM]

@Technos

+1 to you good sir, that did make me laugh

[snoxie Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:13PM]

I'm itching for the day we can download anything to our brains. If we can communicate with our own cells, we're that much closer.

[smcb Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:18PM]

hmmm....is this the beginnings of the Borg?

we will be assimilated

[emax Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:22PM]

@smcb resistance is futile

[howi Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:44PM]

@smcb We are irrelevant!

[ageffner Posted Mar 15th 2010 4:09PM]

Yup. Sounds like the borg beginnings to me.

So what happens 5 years down the road... Chips are injected no problem. Systems running fine... Then one day, you go to sleep, and your chips won't come out of hibernation mode....

Also, bad idea if you ever need an MRI - Owwwwwwwch

[emax Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:22PM]

im all for biotic implants

[spin cycle Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:28PM]

What good is a 3µm chip with no power supply?

[Meekermoloko Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:24PM]

@spin cycle

You really don't wanna know what they've been working on, but if you must know ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22333518/

[INsano Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:33PM]

This should go well alongside Obama's suggestion last week that we need to catalog the DNA of every person who is arrested, whether charged with a crime, convicted or not.

[GTMac Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:35PM]

So when are they going to start spawning Augmentation Canisters?

[onlymyrailgun Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:44PM]

10% dead? Let's see, which body parts of mine I don't use so often...

[TheSmartGuy Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:51PM]

@onlymyrailgun

Your brain? JK :P

[Tensai Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:52PM]

Only 10% dead is great news! There is a big difference between 10% dead, mostly dead, and all dead. With all dead, all you can do is go through pockets and look for loose change.

[blueeyesm Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:08PM]

I'd be more concerned if doing this caused the cell to become cancerous.

[Jaylittles531 Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:14PM]

Will getting the "treatment" make my brain run faster?

[Xyned Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:26PM]

Wouldn't this trigger your body's immune response? Never thought I'd live to see the day where CPU's are listed among common allergens but I guess that day will soon come.

[Xcelerate Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:48PM]

@Xyned

Hahaha! I can see it now!

Tylenol - good for headaches, sore throats, and CPUs

[skaterdude Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:43PM]

when they can cheaply produce these chips, say goodbye to what little freedoms we have!

[zango Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:01PM]

Um, okay lol, so now that the chip is inside the cell, what happens when the cell undergoes mitosis and divides... If one of the daughter cells did retain the chip, now only half your cells have the chip. This seems pointless unless they've thought this through.

[who said what Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:29PM]

Wait till a bill is passed making it mandatory to insert such chips into the infants for tracking and national security reasons... just like all the new "national security" measures like full-body scanners slowly but steadily become mainstream!
Is it just me who thinks this is bordering sci-fi creepy?

[zweihander Posted Mar 18th 2010 1:14AM]

@who said what no way.. i don't do anything to illegal so i have no worries.

[sergery Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:52PM]

will i need liquid cooling if i want to overclock them?

Like I really need an excuse to drink beer...

[hahajose Posted Mar 15th 2010 4:15PM]

Our computers will be attacked by REAL viruses in the future!

[Nitesh Posted Mar 15th 2010 4:26PM]

Modern processors have reached the billions of transistors range. Who cares if an Intel 4004 can fit in my cells with current fabrication tech? Thats old news. I want a freaking Nehalem EX in each cell.

[Eternal Density Posted Mar 15th 2010 6:27PM]

Will computers and people blend? And can my cells run... no, not Doom, how about Mass Effect?
"I am a biotic god!"
fun times.

[terrence1019 Posted Mar 15th 2010 9:39PM]

MAX STEEL!!