"World's  Smallest Computer Is Here". It Is Smaller Than A Rice Grain. In addition to the RAM and photovoltaics, the new micro-computing device -- Michigan Micro Mote -- has processors and wireless transmitters and receivers. The device measures just 0.3 mm to a side and is completely dwarfed by a grain of rice. Washington: Researchers at the University of Michigan in the US have come out with the world's smallest computer -- a device measuring just 0.3 mm to a side, completely dwarfed by a grain of rice.

Unlike traditional desktops that retain their program and data with or without a power back-up, these new microdevices lose all prior programming and data as soon as they are switched off, Xinhua news agency reported.

I are not sure if they should be called computers or not. It's more of a matter of opinion whether they have the minimum functionality required, said David Blaauw, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, who led the development of the new system. In addition to the RAM and photovoltaics, the new micro-computing device -- Michigan Micro Mote -- has processors and wireless transmitters and receivers. 

As the Motes are too small to have conventional radio antennae, they receive and transmit data with visible light. A base station provides light for power and programming, and it receives the data. Designed as a precision temperature sensor, the new device converts temperatures into time intervals, defined with electronic pulses. The intervals are measured on-chip against a steady time interval sent by the base station and then converted into a temperature.

As a result, the computer can report temperatures in minuscule regions, such as a cluster of cells, with an error of about 0.1 Celsius. 

The system is very flexible and could be reimagined for a variety of purposes. 

The device can help in oncology research. Since the temperature sensor is small and biocompatible, we can implant it into a mouse where cancer cells are growing, said Gary Luker, a UM professor of radiology 

We are using this temperature sensor to investigate variations in temperature within a tumour versus normal tissue and if we can use changes in temperature to determine success or failure of therapy.