More Powerful and Environmentally-Friendly Computers

Not so long ago, our computers had a single core which had to be boosted for performance - making each machine into a great central heating system. Beyond 85° C, however, electronic components become unstable. Now, a new project could boost the computing performance of central processors by a factor 10 while consuming less energy. Some years ago, computers had a single core which often led to problems: computers often were overheated. Most of today's consumer electronics proudly boast a "dual core" or "quad core". However, in time the technology will come up against the same physical limits. To overcome this physical limit, a solution was found with the multicore technology, here the same chip includes several processors which share tasks: Researchers at EPFL in Lausanne and its partners developped 3D microprocessors cooled from the inside through channels as thin as a human hair filled with a liquid coolant.