Disappearing electronics (Vanishing Programmable Resources, VAPR)

"Transient (temporary, disappearing) electronics developed within the VAPR program should have functionality and durability of normal electronic devices. However at approach of a certain event it should collapse in whole or in part under environmental activity then electronics will be useless for any opponent to whom it will become available", says the military agency (January, 2013).

The purpose of the program of DARPA is creation of the microchips capable to interact with the remote user and collapsing in usual conditions, without immersion in water.

The "disappearing" electronic chip which is dissolved in water is less than in a minute. Source: DARPA

Plans of DARPA set absolutely new tasks for the industry of information security. "Several years are known of temporary or disappearing electronics, but it was told, mainly, about the devices which are dissolved in the conditions of a large amount of water earlier. For example, it was told about the microchips warming wounds for fast healing, and then without harm decaying in a human body, - experts of Anti-virus Center specify. - Now the American agency set as the purpose creation of the microchips which are self-destroyed without the need for presence at the water environment. As self-damage will be provided, representatives of DARPA do not speak, but it is possible to assume that as the destroying substance the oxygen which is contained in air, water vapors in air or enzyme in that case when the microchip consists of organic substances will be used".

"Possibly, without changes there will be a principle of creation of the temporary electronic device according to which the microchip becomes covered with gradually collapsing isolating material, for example, with silk. After destruction of silk destruction and the microchip unstable in the external environment begins. The structure and thickness of insulating material allow to determine certain operating time of the electronic device – from minutes and days to several years. However it is impossible to exclude also that any new mechanisms of self-destruction will be created, for example, the destroying substance will be near the chip in a special container and will begin to influence it on an external signal".

"Development of the new temporary chips capable to communicate with the remote user and in preset time to disappear in usual conditions, without the need for immersion on water Wednesday, sets new tasks in information security field. It is necessary to expect emergence of the espionage cameras and the listening bugs which are self-destroyed without visible traces at once after task performance, – information security experts comment. – Besides, some of these espionage devices, perhaps, will consist of widespread organic substances, for example, of cellulose or starch that will complicate detecting".

"At the same time 'disappearing' electronics will bring to mankind and many advantages, - experts of Anti-virus Center add. – It decays in comparison with traditional electronics much quicker and litters less and pollutes the environment. It is possible to apply special strains of microorganisms to its decomposition. Some types of the polymers necessary for 'disappearing' chips can be produced by microorganisms too that opens huge open spaces of activity for the biotechnology industry. Technologies go forward, and we should learn to cope with all problems arising during this development".