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NASA Develops Inferno-Proof Chips

Today's processors have one fundamental weakness: heat. But NASA may have overcome that issue with their new super heat-resistant, silicon carbide chips that can operate in temperatures up to 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit. An early test proved highly successful, as NASA's chip operated at 932 degrees Fahrenheit for 1,700 hours of continuous operation. And like most "space age" technology, the benefits will surely trickle down to consumers.

Consider a future without heat sinks, where chips can operate with extreme voltages (overclocking anyone?). Sure, we'll all miss the LED fans and liquid cooling systems. But the next time your laptop catches on fire maybe the problems will be cosmetic only. Meanwhile, laps everywhere will become rotisserie legs, cooking under the even more extreme heats of todays portables, basted by their own sweat.

I can't wait. [imedinews via theinquirer]

9:05 AM on Wed Sep 12 2007
By Mark Wilson
2,659 views
23 comments

Comments

mfaerber at 09:14 AM on 09/12/07
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Gah, I hope Ricoh is paying you all a boat-load of money for those damn adds...
OtterKing at 09:25 AM on 09/12/07
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If the T1000 had been equipped with these bad boys, we'd all be slaves to skynet right now.
strider_mt2k at 09:27 AM on 09/12/07
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Connectedness Index: 717
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Space tech trickles down in ways you don't even realize.
SuppleMonkey at 09:43 AM on 09/12/07
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@OtterKing: Dang, Otterking -- beat me to the punch!
Luka_Veliki at 09:43 AM on 09/12/07
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Fahrenheit sux. Just give us kelvin-s degrees next time.

932 Fahrenheit = 773.15 kelvin
TJ at 09:55 AM on 09/12/07
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Porsche uses silicon carbide for the clutch plates on the Carrera GT as well as for the ceramic brakes and if there's anything Porsche is known for its their brakes. I'm suprised NASA hasn't been able to get these chips hotter considering the rotors and calipers on the GT coming off a track glow red and still work brilliantly.
xenobread at 10:11 AM on 09/12/07
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Cheap or packging? Probably both...interested to read more.

And yes, we'll have flaming electronics, which are cool.

...how about a super hot fryer?
maier_m at 10:24 AM on 09/12/07
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@strider_mt2k: I know exactly how this will benefit the rest of us! Soon you'll be able to overclock your PC and fire your clay pottery at the same time...
pupaboy at 10:30 AM on 09/12/07
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Quick! Contact Microsoft! The X-Box 360 could use something like.
novacthall at 10:57 AM on 09/12/07
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@mfaerber: Gizmodo has ads?
@Luka_Veliki: There is no such thing as a "degree Kelvin". Only Kelvin. And if you're going to use an absolute scale, you don't need to leave Imperial units. Just convert to degrees Rankine.
Kaiser-Machead at 11:05 AM on 09/12/07
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Computers would still need adequate cooling, since the whole damn thing won't be made of this superfantastic material. Laptops will still need fans, because you don't want to have a genitalia roasting slab on-the-go.
Jason at 11:21 AM on 09/12/07
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Great, but Apollo Diamond is working on N-doped and P-Doped diamond substrates.

Both have been made, now the trick is to make lots fast and cheap.

Diamond is the substrate of the future kids; and NASA is an anachronism.
icelight at 12:04 PM on 09/12/07
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To heck with laptop heat causing infertility and low sperm count. The next generation of Dell options will include "Medium Rare" and "Well Done" under "Thigh Choices".
Shockage at 12:08 PM on 09/12/07
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anyone know how fast a core 2 would be at that temp? :D
SomeoneUKno at 01:20 PM on 09/12/07
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Its all fun and games until you realize that your mobo isn't that heat-resistant and you watch your processor melt through the socket.
FreeMan at 01:38 PM on 09/12/07
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I was wondering why NASA was worried about having their Pringles burn up.
Skeptical_Geezer at 04:07 PM on 09/12/07
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DAMN! This means that the bitch next to me in hell will STILL be yelling into her cellphone!
There is NO escape!
rfayed at 04:34 PM on 09/12/07
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these + macbook pros = yes?
Terranova at 05:29 PM on 09/12/07
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on the bright side - if you end up roasting in hell as a result of carnal lust, at least you'll still be able to surf porn down there.
jamesuschrist at 09:24 PM on 09/12/07
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Screw frying an egg with your processor's heat, that's so P4-era.

Your new computer comes with ductwork to fit the ventilation system of your home, replacing that old, dusty furnace.
redx666 at 10:19 PM on 09/12/07
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Gizmodo has the wrong idea here, this type of tech won't replace heatsinks or watercooling, the article just says the chips can handle extremely high temperatures. The heat chips create still need to be transferred into the air. There's nothing like using a computer that doubles as your furnace, convergence devices are the future! (not)
earthsandwich at 01:43 AM on 09/13/07
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Sorry to dampen the enthusiasm, but this isn't really "news"... People have been producing and using silicon-carbide ICs for various harsh-environment applications for years. This article is popping up because A) NASA likes to trumpet whenever they do something cool, and B) NASA needs these things for environments like space, which is full of extreme temperatures and lots and lots of noise. Silicon carbide has a really really wide band gap, so it can handle high heat and a ton of background noise.

Nice to see NASA get some positive press though. Thank goodness they didn't use the wrong units again...
bu11etman at 05:29 PM on 09/13/07
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Do I hear overclocking? :D