MM Project
Malaysia over the weekend has launched what it said is the world’s smallest microchip with radio technology in a quest to position itself as a leading high-tech chip producer for a global market.
The Malaysia Microchip (MM) was released after more than two years of research and development. The smallest version measures 0.7 millimetres by 0.7 millimetres, according to officials.
Costing six cents each, three versions of the chip were developed after the Malaysian government in 2003 bought the technology and the rights to design, manufacture and market the chip from Japan’s FEC Inc.
At the launch on Saturday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi lauded the chip for boosting Malaysian technological expertise.
“It is only through being creators of technology, and not mere users of technology, that Malaysia can move up the economic value chain and take its place among the developed countries of the world,” he said in a speech Saturday.
The project was announced by former premier Mahathir Mohamad just before he retired in 2003 as part of his efforts to push Malaysia into hi-tech industries and make the country an industrialised nation by 2020.
The tiny microchip holds technology which emits radio waves on multiple frequencies, which means it can be detected when embedded in paper documents such as money, or in objects or animals.
Its first commercial application in Malaysia is for tagging and identifying original versions of movies on VCDs and DVDs as part of anti-counterfeiting efforts in the country where video piracy is rampant.
Read more at Physorg.com
This is an interesting area of development. Perhaps it could someday be implanted into human beings unknowingly. You’ll know the whereabout of the person. Hmmm. Sounds like invasion of privacy.
Anyway, I do hope that this is the stepping stone for Malaysia to sought greater heights. 