The digital technologies appear to develop very quickly. Every month something new appears, sometimes it is just a redesign of what we already know, and sometimes it is a revolutionary new idea, which turns the digital world upside down. This time, it is second. Being a new basic element, such as resistor, condenser and inductor, the new invention, made by scientist of Hewlett Packard, is too advanced to be called "simple" one. It definitely can change the whole digital world as we know it. Why is it so special? Because this element, called memristor allows data to be stored in circuitry even after the power is switched off.This invention has been already called a major breakthrough in the electronic world. It has a huge potential in electronics, meaning that no RAM will be needed - the memory will be a part of the circuitry rather than a separate module; this will save valuable space and it can give new possibilities and advantages! For example, it can make possible for computers to power up instantly, cell phones will go much longer without a charge, and no information will ever be lost in case of power failures or battery death. While memory modules will no longer be needed, all saved space can be used to make devices more compact and powerful. In addition, the potential energy savings, offered by using such elements as memristors, will dramatically improve battery life of portable devices.
Inventor of this curious new element, Leon Chua, worked upon it for long 37 years. In early 1971, he said that such element must be possible to create. And now, in 2008, his invention proves us that he was right about it. Now inventor is 71 years old, and he is very pleased that his research finally was validated.
Let us hope that we will see the implementation of this great idea, and it is very curious how the electronics world will turn after this invention. Maybe in not so distant future we will no longer need to buy RAM modules for our PCs, our smartphones will work for a week (month?) on one battery charge... In any case, time is needed for this invention to become a widely spread technology.
