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IT CAN’T BE TRUE! 159

This miniature device, called the Michigan Micro Mote,
could have lots of different uses. As well as being inserted The computer doesn’t
into the body to measure temperature or pressure, or used have a battery, but uses
to find oil, it could also help us avoid losing things in our light as a source of power.
homes. Sticking the tiny computers onto keys or wallets It doesn’t need to be natural
could help us find these items using a central system. sunlight, so the computer
can work indoors.

It MICROPROCESSORS
would
take about
150 of these
computers
to fill a
thimble.

Computers became a lot smaller
in 1971 with the invention of the
microprocessor—the silicon chip
that is the central processing unit
of a computer. A silicon chip has a
miniature electrical circuit printed
on it. These printed circuits are
smaller every year.

US_158_159_309600_ICBT_Tiniest_computer.indd 159 15/01/2018 15:27