Emerging Technologies Part 1

Adam Audet

3-20-13

5^th hour

Emerging Technologies: Intel Processors

            The article I read covered the discovery of using 3D transistors in a computer processor. A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electrical signals and currents. They are used in computer processors to transfer and convert information for the computer. In older processors the electric current flows through deep channels, under gates causing the electrical current to only enter through one side of the gate. This caused a great amount of electricity to leak out of the processor. This made the computer require more power than it was using. With Intel’s 3D transistors they are able to transfer the electrical current through all sides of the gates creating virtually no leakage current. It also allows them to pack more transistors per square millimeter (8.75 million) as opposed to 4.87 million in the older chips. This greatly reduces the amount of power needed to operate the chips which is why Intel stated that they would first be implemented into tablets and mobile devices. Intel stated that by 2017 there may be over 30 million transistors per square millimeter.

            In my opinion the future of advanced development in computer components is only going to grow faster. Every year there is a new device with greatly upgraded technology than its predecessor. Computers are beginning to become out of date within only a few years and there are smaller and more powerful smartphones every year. In the future I see personal devices becoming more powerful and smaller, allowing them to accessible to everybody and being used for almost everything in life. This is a definite possibility because Intel was able to double the amount of transistors on its processors by a simple change in their design.

            Looking back at the articles from 2009 I discovered an article that highlighted the first appearance of virtual assistants. The article I read focused on the development of SRI, or Siri. Siri is a virtual assistant that analyzes the users input and helps them with internet searches. The company stated that their first place to implement Siri was into the mobile world. Back four years ago when this article was written this was the next new thing and was still in its infancy. Now Siri has been implemented into almost all of Apple’s devices. Not only has Siri grown and continued to grow, but there are numerous other virtual assistants for mobile devices and PCs. This proves how fast technology can change over the course of time if it has enough supporters.