Intel 45nm Hi-k Microprocessors

Solving the Energy Efficiency problem

Energy efficiency and sustainable development is all around us. Everybody wants more energy efficient computers and servers and we all want to reduce our carbon footprint. However, everybody also wants increased performance and faster devices.

Sometimes environmental sustainability can be seen as a hot topic for companies to pick on for attention. Are they just jumping on the band wagon? Do they really care about the environmental effects of their products or are they using it as an excuse to improve their sales?

Intel Eliminates Use of Lead from Future Microprocessors

For many years lead has been used in electronic devices because of its electrical and mechanical properties. Lead is a toxic chemical, and has the potential to impact the environment and public health. It has been a significant scientific and technical challenge to find a replacement that is environmentally friendly and continues to meet the performance requirements.

Intel has always had an aggressive stance towards environmental sustainability. To continue their broad commitment to this essential topic they will be eliminating the use of lead from their future microprocessors.

The research and development team at Intel has eliminated the lead by using a tin, silver and copper alloy. It will be used in the entire 45mn microprocessor family, and continue to be used in their future microprocessors.

Although it may seem quite a selfish attitude, a lot of keen computer users tend to put performance ahead of environmental sustainability. Intel is of course aware of this, and has managed to develop the environmentally friendly chip while continuing to deliver fast processor speeds. The 45nm microprocessor reduces the amount of electrical leakage from transistors. In the past this problem has hampered chip design, power consumption, noise and costs.

The development of this product is a testament to Intel’s continued investment into environmentally friendly manufacturing. The 45nm microprocessor family is a fantastic breakthrough. It has allowed Intel to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient processors across a range of market segments.

Personal Relevance

Not just Intel, but the entire aspect of sustainable development is incredibly relevant to me as an individual. I am studying Computer Engineering with a keen interest in electronics and computers as a whole. As my knowledge of the industry increased I began to realise how more and more products were being developed with environmental sustainability in mind. I want to be an engineer; I want to improve on products and solutions in the electronics industry with the future of the environment a key factor in my mind.

I have always been aware of Intel and its technological advancements, but only recently realised its huge aims of environmental sustainability within its products. After researching different companies and products it was obvious that Intel had the most passion in that area.
The reason I chose the new 45nm microprocessor family is because microprocessors are so important. Every system, whether it is a large mainframe, or a small handheld computer, uses a microprocessor. My laptop has an Intel processor; the computers I use at University have Intel processors. This widespread use shows that the future developments will almost certainly affect me and others around me.

I have a rather optimistic goal of becoming a Hardware Engineer for Intel. I feel by researching the company’s developments further it would help me to increase my knowledge of the electronics industry, Intel as a corporation and more importantly the impact of sustainable technology on the field of microprocessors.

Plan of inquiry

To find out more about the subject and to ensure the future assignments are of good quality I will be researching Intel’s microprocessors further.
To research the subject I will be using the internet, some sites I already know I will be making use of are:

http://www.epa.gov/
http://www.intel.com/intel/company/corp1.htm
http://www.edn.com/
http://www.intel.com/technology/
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microprocessor
http://www.theinquirer.net/categories/news/microprocessors/

As well as this I plan to conduct some primary research in the form of a survey. I want to find out how much information other students have about the energy efficiency of their computer components. This will enforce my presentation and improve my knowledge of the subject.
I will be using the internet to research presentation techniques to improve my performance in assignment 2.

Also, I hope to contact Intel after doing more research to improve my knowledge of the subject further. This will probably be via e-mail.