New ‘Extreme’ Computer Chip Can Withstand Temperatures Up to 300 Degrees Celsius (ExtremeTech)
Deep beneath our feet is a nearly unlimited supply of renewable energy originating in the super-dense core of Earth. At up to 7,000 degrees Celsius (12,600 F), the heat from the planet’s interior could be a key part of our energy future, but first we need the technology to dig deep enough to reliably take advantage of it. Temperatures can reach several hundred degrees at a depth of four to six kilometers (2.5 to 3.7 miles) — more than enough to provide oodles of geothermal power. However, the electronics that power the drilling and construction equipment have trouble surviving these hellish extremes.
A new type of microchip developed at the
Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (IMS) could change that. The new, smaller chip can withstand temperatures in excess of 300 degrees Celsius without loss of performance.
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