Content deleted Content added
No edit summary |
|||
Line 1:
{{Portal|Energy}}
'''Micropower''' describes the work that researchers at several universities are doing to develop very small [[gas-turbine]] [[engine]]s. These devices would offer the promise of a lighter weight power source for portable [[Electronics |electronic devices]]. The components of any [[turbine]] engine: the [[gas compressor]], the [[combustion chamber]], and the [[turbine]] rotor itself, are fabricated from etched [[silicon]], much like [[integrated circuits]]. The technology holds the promise of ten times the operating time of a [[Battery (electricity)|battery]] of the same weight as the micropower unit, and similar [[efficiency]] to large [[Electricity generation|utility gas turbines]]. Researchers at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] have thus far succeeded in fabricating the parts for such a micro turbine out of six etched and stacked silicon wafers, and are working towards combining them into a functioning engine about the size of a U.S [[Quarter (United States coin)|quarter]] coin.<ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060920083253.htm] “Engine on a chip promises to best the battery,” ScienceDaily, viewed 9/20/2006</ref>
| |||