Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley are developing self-sustaining network nodes measuring millimeters in length, complete with sensors and communications. This “smart dust” could be used for environmental monitoring, health, security, distributed processing, tracking and new user interfaces, including invisible keyboards, gesture control and 3D input devices.Problems in implementing smart dust include power (tiny batteries and more efficient chips are being developed) and communications (optical links via optical links by lasers and mirrors are being explored).

Working examples are expected in a year or so, but there are privacy and security issues.

Smart dust may help save energy

Utility Fog: The Stuff that Dreams Are Made Of