A power-saving microchip that can help electronics companies design energy-efficient devices has been developed, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has disclosed.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the power-saving microchip was developed by researchers from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) under the "μC-Integrated Circuit (IC)” program supported by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).
“The customized microchip is capable of harvesting, storing, and using light energy for its operations, as well as prolonging battery life for smarter power management,” he said in a report.
He said currently, conventional ICs available in the market consume power whether it transmits data or not.
“The MSU-IIT developed microchip increases power consumption when transmitting data but only consumes low power when idle,” the DOST chief said.
De la Peña said to date, the μC-IC Program has completed the fabrication of 100 chips.
Of this, 25 chips have undergone and passed chip testing and characterization, he said.