Smartdust

Smartdust is a hypothetical system of many tiny microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) such as sensors, robots, or other devices, that can detect, for example, light, temperature, vibration, magnetism or chemicals; are usually networked wirelessly; and are distributed over some area to perform tasks, usually sensing.

Design and engineering

The smartdust concept was introduced, developed, and funded by DARPA due to the potential military applications of the technology.^[1] The concept was later expanded upon by Kristofer S. J. Pister (University of California, Berkeley) in 2001.^[2]. A recent review discusses various techniques to take smartdust in sensor networks beyond millimeter dimensions to the micrometre level.

The Ultra-Fast Systems component of the Nanoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Glasgow is a founding member of a large international consortium which is developing a related concept: smart specks.^[3]

See also

• Nanotechnology
• TinyOS
• Mesh networking
• Wireless sensor network
• Utility fog

References

1. ^ Rosenthal, Marshal M. "Gamebits: Digital Tricks". Games. Issue 160 (Vol 24, #3). Pg.6. May 2000.
2. ^ Smart Dust: Communicating with a Cubic-Millimeter Brett Warneke, Matt Last, Brian Liebowitz, and Kristofer S.J. Pister, Computer, vol. 34, pp. 44-51, 2001
3. ^ Smart Dust for Space Exploration

External links

• How stuff works: motes
• Open source mote designs and TinyOS operating system from UC Berkeley
• UC Berkeley Smart Dust Project
• Info about smart dust communications
• Sailor research group at UCSD
• SpeckNet research groups based in Scotland
• Web of Sensors "In the wilds of the San Jacinto Mountains, along a steep canyon, scientists are turning 30 acres [121,000 m²] of pines and hardwoods in California into a futuristic vision of environmental study. They are linking up more than 100 tiny sensors, robots, cameras and computers, which are beginning to paint an unusually detailed portrait of this lush world, home to more than 30 rare and endangered species. Much of the instrumentation is wireless. Devices the size of a deck of cards — known as motes, after dust motes..."
• Technologies to watch: motes
• Molecular shuttle power: Smart dust biosensors may be smaller than a grain of sand but they have big potential - an Instant Insight from the Royal Society of Chemistry
• http://www.betabatt.com/ Betavoltaic batteries from 2.5 micrometre cubed upwards, 10 to 30 year lifespan.