Chipper chips

has published research that could lead to the creation of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) up to eight times denser than those currently produced. HP claimed the FPGAs would use less energy for a given computation –

Moreover, such chips - which would use less energy for a given computation - could be built using the same sized transistors as those used in today’s FPGA design. According to HP, this means they could be built in current fabrication facilities with only minor modifications.

FPGAs are integrated circuits with programmable logic components and interconnects that can be adapted by end-users for specific applications. They are used in a wide range of industries, including communications, automotive and consumer electronics.

The technology calls for a nanoscale crossbar switch structure to be layered on top of conventional CMOS (complementary metal oxide silicon), using an architecture HP Labs researchers have named “field programmable nanowire interconnect (FPNI)”, a variation on the well-established FPGA technology.