Xerox's PARC researchers have developed self-destruct chips, preventing hackers and anyone else from using them after they are have they burst into tiny pieces. The scientists modified super-strong Corning Gorilla Glass used for smartphone touchscreens, so extreme stress turns it into tempered glass that shatters on-demand. Such chips could be used for various applications such as preventing hacks of desktop or tablet computers, and encrypted password keys.
PARC demonstrated the new product at a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) event, according to Gizmodo. It was held in St. Louis.
Xerox adds stress to the chip by ion-exchange tempering it. The self-destruct mechanism was a small resistor circuit at the chip's base, according to The Market Business. After a laser heated the chip, it quickly shattered due to the high stress on the surface.
However, after the first explosion tinier bits kept shattering. The result was a small pile of dust.
A laser was used to trigger the chip's circuit during the demo. However, other methods could be used, including a radio signal.
Electronic security is becoming an increasing serious problem today. Although the self-destruct chips are an extreme fix, it is one that is 100 percent effective.
Xerox's chip could have several applications. They include as a storage method for encrypted passwords.
It is highly likely that the new chip technology will first be available for the United States' government and military, although it might one day appear on the consumer market. It could make stolen smartphones as useless as a pile of dust.
The Xerox Corporation was founded in 1906. It sells document technology and business services to companies and governments.