Self Healing Chips

Durability has always been a key factor when purchasing electronics. A product that is able to stand the test of time has always been the ideal. Yet everyone knows that electronic will only last a few years max. While this might be the current norm, it doesn’t mean it will be that way forever. Scientists are currently looking into self-healing chips and the potential to increase the lives of our electronic devices.

If you're wondering how that's possible, you’re not alone. Given that we’re talking about electronic components which must be programmed to work, it might not register how they can act on their own. Ultimately it comes down to self-healing agents and how they can be embedded into the chips. While still in development, scientists have modeled these chips after human skin and its ability to heal. As such, the chips have been outfitted with microcapsules filled with carbon nanotubes. It’s these nanotubes that act as the healing agents. In theory, these capsules will burst when the chip is damaged and the agents will flow into the area and repair it.

On a similar note, comes recent research conducted by Caltech. However, the process is centered around a “core” made up of sensors rather than microcapsules and nanotubes. It seems sensors are the go-to tool these days, and why shouldn’t they be? If given enough power they can monitor all kinds of things. In the case of the chips, temperature, power, current and voltage are the factors being measured and monitored. Moreover, when coupled with a central processor, the sensors can determine optimal states. The central focus is on finding a way to around the damage so the chip is still able to function. In other words, it’s an automated process in which the core system has the ability to figure the best way to continue functioning without fully repairing the damaged area.

While the approach may be different, the result is ultimately the same. Chips that are able to last longer and thus stand the potential of extending the life of electronic devices. Furthermore, the potential for this technology to stretch into other areas of life is high. The less coordinated of us won’t have to worry so much about dropping their smartphones. The Caltech team took a laser to their chips and the chips showed signs of repair within seconds. Still, one has to wonder, is this just the beginning of a robot takeover?