How can you tell if you have a sprain or a fracture. What are the key differences between these two types of injuries. When should you seek medical attention for a potential bone injury. What treatment options are available for broken bones.

Understanding the Difference Between Sprains and Fractures

Injuries resulting from falls, accidents, or sports activities can range from mild to severe. Two common types of injuries are sprains and fractures. While they may share similar symptoms, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental difference between them.

A fracture is a break in the bone, while a sprain is an injury to the soft tissue surrounding a joint. Sprains occur when ligaments are stretched or torn, usually due to sudden twisting or impact. Fractures, on the other hand, involve a disruption in the continuity of the bone, often caused by significant trauma.

Common Causes of Sprains and Fractures

• Falls
• Car accidents
• Sports injuries
• Sudden twisting movements
• Direct blows to the body

Do sprains and fractures share similar symptoms? Yes, they often do, which can make it challenging to differentiate between the two without professional medical assessment. However, there are some key indicators that can help you distinguish between a sprain and a fracture.

Identifying Symptoms of Sprains

Sprains can vary in severity, from mild ligament stretching to complete tears. Recognizing the symptoms of a sprain is crucial for proper treatment and recovery.

Common symptoms of sprains include:

• Pain in the affected area
• Swelling around the joint
• Bruising
• Difficulty moving the injured joint
• A popping sound or sensation at the time of injury

Can you treat a sprain at home? In many cases, mild to moderate sprains can be managed with home care. The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is often effective for treating sprains. However, severe sprains may require medical intervention, including physical therapy or, in rare cases, surgery.

Recognizing Signs of a Fracture

Fractures often result from more severe trauma compared to sprains. Identifying the signs of a broken bone is crucial for seeking appropriate medical care.

Key indicators of a fracture include:

• Intense, immediate pain at the site of injury
• Visible deformity of the affected limb
• Inability to bear weight on the injured area
• Crepitus (a grinding or crunching sensation when moving the injured area)
• Swelling and bruising
• In severe cases, bone protruding through the skin (open fracture)

Is it possible to definitively diagnose a fracture without medical imaging? Generally, no. While certain symptoms may strongly suggest a fracture, a definitive diagnosis typically requires X-rays or other imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans. These imaging studies not only confirm the presence of a fracture but also reveal its severity and any associated soft tissue damage.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Potential Bone Injuries

Determining whether an injury requires immediate medical attention can be challenging. However, certain symptoms and situations warrant prompt professional evaluation.

Seek medical care if you experience:

• Inability to bear weight on the injured limb
• Numbness or tingling around the injury site
• Signs of infection (fever, redness, or warmth around the injury)
• Severe pain or swelling that doesn’t improve with home care
• Pain directly over a bone
• Visible deformity of the affected area

Is it better to err on the side of caution when it comes to potential bone injuries? Absolutely. Delaying treatment for a fracture can lead to complications such as improper healing, chronic pain, or loss of function. When in doubt, it’s always advisable to consult a medical professional.

Treatment Options for Broken Bones

The treatment approach for a fracture depends on various factors, including the location and severity of the break. A skilled orthopedic surgeon can assess the injury and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Non-Invasive Treatments

For mild fractures, non-invasive treatments may be sufficient:

• Reduction: Realigning the broken bone segments
• Casting: Immobilizing the fracture with a plaster or fiberglass cast
• Splinting: Using a rigid support to limit movement of the injured area

Surgical Interventions

More severe fractures may require surgical treatment:

• Percutaneous fixation: Minimally invasive procedure using pins or rods
• Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): Surgically aligning the bone and securing it with screws, plates, or rods
• External fixation: Using an external frame to stabilize the bone
• Traction: Applying a steady pulling force to align bones

Does the choice of treatment impact recovery time? Yes, the treatment method can significantly influence the healing process. Factors such as the patient’s age, overall health, and the specific characteristics of the fracture all play a role in determining the most effective treatment approach and subsequent recovery timeline.

The Importance of Specialized Orthopedic Care

When dealing with potential bone injuries, seeking care from specialists in orthopedics can make a significant difference in diagnosis, treatment, and recovery outcomes.

Advantages of specialized orthopedic care include:

• Expertise in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries
• Access to advanced imaging and treatment technologies
• Comprehensive approach to injury management, including rehabilitation
• Reduced wait times compared to general emergency departments
• Tailored treatment plans based on individual patient needs

Can specialized orthopedic care improve long-term outcomes for bone injuries? Indeed, it can. Orthopedic specialists are trained to not only treat the immediate injury but also to consider long-term implications and develop strategies to prevent future complications or reinjuries.

Rehabilitation and Recovery After Bone Injuries

The journey to full recovery doesn’t end with the initial treatment of a sprain or fracture. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in restoring function and preventing future injuries.

Key Components of Rehabilitation

• Physical therapy to regain strength and mobility
• Occupational therapy to relearn daily activities
• Pain management techniques
• Gradual return to normal activities
• Education on injury prevention

Is rehabilitation necessary for all bone injuries? While the intensity and duration of rehabilitation may vary, some form of structured recovery program is beneficial for most bone injuries. Even minor sprains can benefit from guided exercises to restore full function and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Factors Affecting Recovery Time

The duration of recovery from a bone injury can vary widely based on several factors:

• Type and severity of the injury
• Location of the injury
• Patient’s age and overall health
• Adherence to treatment and rehabilitation protocols
• Presence of any complications

How can patients actively contribute to their recovery? Patients play a vital role in their own recovery by following medical advice, participating fully in rehabilitation programs, maintaining a healthy diet to support bone healing, and avoiding activities that could re-injure the affected area.

Preventing Sprains and Fractures

While not all injuries can be prevented, there are steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of sprains and fractures.

General Prevention Strategies

• Maintaining good physical fitness and flexibility
• Wearing appropriate protective gear during sports and physical activities
• Ensuring a safe home environment to prevent falls
• Practicing proper form and technique during exercises
• Gradually increasing the intensity of physical activities

Bone Health Maintenance

Promoting overall bone health can reduce the risk of fractures:

• Consuming a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Engaging in weight-bearing exercises regularly
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Getting regular bone density screenings, especially for at-risk individuals

Can lifestyle changes significantly impact bone strength and injury resistance? Absolutely. A combination of proper nutrition, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices can dramatically improve bone density and overall musculoskeletal health, reducing the risk of both sprains and fractures.

Understanding the differences between sprains and fractures, recognizing when to seek medical attention, and knowing the available treatment options are crucial for anyone who experiences a potential bone injury. By staying informed and taking proactive steps to maintain bone health, individuals can minimize their risk of injury and ensure better outcomes if an injury does occur. Remember, when in doubt about the severity of an injury, it’s always best to consult with a medical professional, preferably a specialist in orthopedics, for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Sprain vs. Fracture: How to Tell If It’s a Broken Bone: Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico: Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons

Sprain vs. Fracture: How to Tell If It’s a Broken Bone: Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico: Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons

Falls, car accidents, and sports trauma can all lead to injuries ranging in severity from mild to severe. Sprains and fractures are something you may have experienced from any one of those mechanisms. Getting early treatment for the more severe injuries can save you a lot of pain down the road.

At the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico, we can help you determine the extent of your injury, no matter what the cause. Dr. Omar Osmani is a skilled orthopedic surgeon who’s able to determine if you’ve sustained a fracture, and he can offer many treatment options to get you back to your busy life.

Sprain vs. Fracture — What’s the difference?

Sprains and fractures can have a lot of the same symptoms, which can make it difficult for you to determine which one you’ve sustained in an injury. However, the difference is pretty simple — a fracture is a break in your bone, while a sprain is a soft tissue injury. 

Sprains happen when the ligaments around your joint either stretch too far or tear. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as a fall or a sports injury. Sprains can be mild or severe, and have a variety of symptoms including:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Trouble moving the injured area
• Popping sound or sensation around a joint

You can usually treat mild-to-moderate sprains at home with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories. Occasionally a sprain will be severe enough that surgery is required for it to heal properly.

Fractures most often occur from some kind of trauma such as a car accident or a severe fall. When you break a bone in your body, one of the first symptoms you’ll notice is immediate pain around the injury. You may also experience:

• Deformity of the limb
• Inability to put weight on the injury
• Crepitus, which is a normal sign with a fracture caused by the ends of the fractured bones rubbing together. This causes an audible crunching sound.
• Swelling and bruising

Unless the bone is actually poking through your skin, you need an X-ray to determine that you’ve sustained a fractured bone. If the fracture is severe, you may also need an MRI or CAT scan to rule out damage to other structures such as ligaments, tendons, and muscle.

Although sprains and fractures are very different, they share a lot of the same symptoms, so it’s important for you to get medical treatment if you’re unsure of your injury.

When to see a doctor

A broken bone and sprains can cause you a lot of discomfort. If you’ve suffered a severe fracture and part of your bone is piercing through your skin, seek immediate medical attention. When you aren’t sure whether or not you should seek expert care, keep in mind the following reasons that you should get help immediately:

• Inability to put weight on the affected limb
• Numbness around the injury
• Signs of infection such as fever or red streaking around the injury
• Intense pain or swelling not relieved by home care
• Pain right on top of a bone around the injury

Determining the need for urgent medical assistance can save you from long-term complications that can arise by delaying medical intervention. If you’re ever unsure, come in and see us to ensure your injury is treated promptly. 

We are one of the only orthopedic urgent care facilities in Roswell, making us a great choice for your orthopedic needs. Emergency rooms can have long waits and usually don’t specialize, specifically in orthopedic injuries, like we do. 

Treatment options for a broken bone

When Dr. Osmani determines that you have a broken bone, he goes over your treatment options with you. The type of treatment that you need depends on where the fracture is and how severely the bone is broken. 

With a mild fracture, you may only need to have the bone reduced,which is a medical term for putting your bone back into its normal alignment.  A cast can then be applied and  may be made out of fiberglass or plaster. The cast helps to keep your bones aligned while the fracture heals. 

If you’ve suffered a more severe broken bone, you may require more invasive treatment to ensure that your bones heal completely and properly. These types of treatments may include:

• Percutaneous fixation, a form of fixation that is done through your skin without an incision. It usually requires the use of pins or rods to hold your broken bones together.
• Open fixation with screws and plates
• External fixation
• Traction

All of the above treatments will require you to undergo surgery and anesthesia. These treatments are only considered if you’ve sustained a broken bone that’s bad enough to warrant the risks of surgery, or if conservative treatment hasn’t worked. 

If you find yourself injured and wondering if you may have broken a bone, call our office today at 575-623-9101 or book an appointment with one of our providers online.

4 Tips to Prepare for Hip Arthroscopy

Hip pain can affect your life due to several issues, and you may need a hip arthroscopy to find the underlying problem when other treatments haven’t worked. Keep reading to learn how to prepare for your arthroscopy and what to expect.

Here’s Why an Ankle Sprain Always Warrants Expert Evaluation and Care

So you’ve sprained your ankle; now what? Should you watch it and see if it gets better, or immediately seek treatment from a doctor? Discover why you should get an ankle sprain evaluated immediately and what treatments to expect.

Will a Torn Rotator Cuff Heal on its Own?

A torn rotator cuff is a big problem, especially when you’re active — but do you need surgery? Keep reading to learn if your rotator cuff tear can heal by itself or if you need professional treatment.

7 Key Benefits of Physical Therapy Following Joint Replacement Surgery

Your recovery after joint replacement surgery is the key to a healthy new joint. Physical therapy is one of the best ways to ensure you recover correctly. Keep reading to discover the many benefits of physical therapy after a joint replacement.

When Should I Consider Surgery for My Bunion?

Bunions are a nuisance and sometimes cause intense pain and discomfort in your feet — but when should you think about having surgery for the pain? Keep reading to discover when you should seek surgical treatment for a pesky bunion.

5 Benefits of Arthroscopic Surgery

If you’re having joint pain, you may need arthroscopic surgery to determine what’s wrong. Arthroscopic procedures are less invasive than open surgery, which means a quicker recovery. Read on to discover more benefits of arthroscopic surgery.

Sprain? Fracture? How to Tell the Difference Between Injuries

It’s always a risky proposition to try and self-diagnose, to say the least. While we all may feel like we’re Dr. Google sometimes, it’s always best practice to see a medical professional if you’re suffering with the symptoms of an injury or illness. Let’s focus on injuries in particular because it can be difficult for many people to properly gauge what it is they’re experiencing and what they should do about it.

The natural impulse is to see a doctor if you get hurt. It’s probably a good idea to do that. But, we’ve all had the experience of getting hurt, going to the doctor, and being told that it’s just a sprain and it’ll heal on its own eventually. This can feel a little frustrating because you want “something to be done.” That shouldn’t dissuade you from seeing your doctor in the future, because it can be difficult to judge pain yourself. Some of us deal with pain better than others. However, if you plan to just “tough it out” you could be toughing it out on a fracture that won’t heal properly without your doctor’s help.

So, if you find yourself feeling ankle pain or shoulder pain and you’re not sure if you’re looking at a sprain, fracture, or just some stiffness, you need to speak to a medical professional to be sure. But, all this terminology can get confusing and it’s important to know the difference between all of these conditions so you can best prepare yourself for recovery. Again, only a doctor’s evaluation and imaging testing can accurately diagnose your injury.

Here is what you should know about the difference between the most common kinds of injuries we all experience at one time or another.

Is it a sprain?

To give a shorthand answer of whether your injury is a sprain or fracture, sprains occur in ligaments and are usually joint related. A fracture deals with damage done to the bone. That’s a neat definition, certainly, but how does that help in the moment when you’re dealing with swelling and pain? To give an example, there is often confusion and uncertainty around ankle injuries because fractures and sprains can both occur there.

Imaging testing can give you the diagnosis you need. The two different injuries can present in similar ways like swelling or finding it difficult to walk. When dealing with sprains, the only real solution is time. Sprains need to be allowed to heal naturally. Rest, ice, and elevation are what you need. Rarely, a sprain is so severe that it requires surgery. If a sprain is that severe, you’ll feel it and you probably heard an audible pop during the injury.

Fracture care

Fractures are a bit more complicated because they do regard bones. These can’t be seen by the naked eye, unless it’s a full break where the bone is protruding or visibly askew. To stay with the ankle example, there are some notable differences between a broken ankle and a sprained one. Yes, sprains can bring swelling and you can have difficulty walking. Broken ankles bring the same, but you may visually be able to tell the difference. Your foot positioning could look off. Additionally, sprains don’t generally keep you from putting weight on the foot. Sprains are aggravated by motion, yes, but generally the ability to support your body weight isn’t affected. If you can’t stand, it could be a fracture. Also, the pain that comes from breaks tend to be more constant. Sprains respond to treatment like ice or elevation whereas breaks don’t have that kind of relief.

Fractures vary depending on the body part. Some slight fractures have to heal on their own, but generally a bone has to be reset and placed in a cast so it can heal.

Is there a difference between fractures and broken bones?

A fracture by definition is a broken bone, so no, there is no difference. However, many people use the word “fracture” to mean a hairline fracture in a bone. While some may say fracture to mean a slight crack while a break is a full separation of the bone, these are just common usage rather than official definition. It is true, however, that the healing of a hairline fracture could look quite different from recovery from a fully broken bone.

Conclusion

If you’ve suffered an injury and your pain isn’t going away or is intense and acute, you need to see a medical professional to get it evaluated. An examination and imaging testing can give you a proper diagnosis so you can begin the process of recovering. Injuries can be tricky and become even trickier as you get older. That’s why it’s so important to get the very best care and to get it early. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Nickson and the team at Next Step Orthopedics are here to get you started on the road to recovery.

Call us at (972) 547-0047 or book an appointment online.

Apple Watch Band Replacement – Apple Support (UK)

To remove the band, follow these steps.

Before you buy a new watch band, make sure the band you choose is the correct size for your Apple Watch case. Apple Watch Series 4 and later and Apple Watch SE can use the appropriately sized straps for Apple Watch (1st generation) and Apple Watch Series 1, 2, and 3.

Straps for 38mm, 40 cases mm and 41 mm are compatible with each other. The 42mm, 44mm and 45mm straps are also compatible with each other.

Straps for 49mm cases compatible with 44mm and 45mm cases. Straps for 44mm or 45mm cases are compatible with 49mm cases.

• Replacement strap

• Mono or braided mono bracelet

• Milanese mesh bracelet

• Apple Watch Ultra

• Block bracelet

Strap replacement

1. Place your Apple Watch on a clean surface (such as a lint-free microfiber cloth or soft rug) with the dial facing down.
2. If your watch has a link bracelet, press the quick release button to split the strap in two.
3. While holding down the strap release button, slide the strap to the side to remove it.
4. If the strap does not move, press and hold the release button again.

5. Make sure that the printed side of the strap is facing you and insert the new strap until it clicks into place.

If you chose mono or braided mono bracelet

Simply pull on the bottom of the strap to stretch it slightly when putting on or taking off your watch.

Using the Milanese mesh bracelet

In 2018, the design of the Milanese mesh bracelet has been redesigned. It can now be removed completely by pulling the magnetic clasp through the strap connector or eyelet. On earlier models of the Milanese mesh bracelet, the clasp cannot be pulled through the eyelet.

Using bands with Apple Watch Ultra

Ocean, Alpine and Trail bands are 49mm bands designed specifically for use with Apple Watch Ultra during outdoor activities such as hiking, running, climbing, kiting boarding , scuba diving and more.

The Apple Watch Ultra is also compatible with 45mm bands, but these bands are only suitable for everyday wear.

If you like a braided or mono-bracelet and want to wear it with your Apple Watch Ultra, due to the larger case of your Apple Watch Ultra, you might need a size down. Before you buy a mono or braided mono bracelet for your Apple Watch Ultra, try it on with your watch.

The block bracelet must be split in two before being removed from the Apple Watch. When removing the strap, do not apply force to it or twist it. Follow the procedure below to avoid damaging the strap or clasp.

Close the butterfly closure

If it is open, close each side in turn until it clicks.

Hold down the quick release button

The quick release buttons are located on the inside of the bracelet. You only need to hold down one button.

Carefully pull the links apart

While doing this, keep the quick release button pressed. Before removing the band from your Apple Watch, you need to split it into two parts.

Remove the strap

While holding the release button on the strap, slide it to the side to remove it.

Additional Information

Never force the strap into the slot. If you don’t feel or hear a click, move the strap slightly to the left and then to the right. A properly fastened strap should not move freely if the release button is not pressed.

If the strap cannot be fixed, center it and push it in place. Then gently rock the strap up and down. If the band moves from side to side, do not wear your Apple Watch.

Publication date: November 10, 2022

What is Moore’s Law and how does it work now? Parsing / Sudo Null IT News

Moore’s Law states: “The number of transistors placed on an integrated circuit chip doubles every 24 months.” You must have heard of this law. And you must have heard that it no longer works.

But if we look at the real numbers of real processors, we will see that Moore’s Law, amazingly accurate, has been working to this day, for 50 years now.

However, you and I feel from our own experience that progress has slowed down. Despite the 2x increase in transistors, we don’t see a 2x increase in performance. So today we’ll take a look. What’s wrong with Moore’s Law?

But the most interesting thing is that an important turning point occurred at the turn of the 2000s and the 2010s. And new solutions were needed.

What challenges has humanity faced and how have we overcome them? And what can we expect when Moore’s law really stops working?

Law not law

To begin with, Moore’s law is not really a law at all, but simply an observation by Gordon Moore, the founder of Fairchild Semiconductor, as well as Intel.

Since the invention of the integrated circuit in 1959, the number of transistors on microchips has doubled on average every year. Gordon Moore noticed this and said: Everything! So it will be.

And in 1975 he made an amendment, and said: “No, after all, every two years.”

To which the guys from Intel replied: Ok, it seems that we have a plan and we will stick to it. And the entire industry has adapted to this pace.

And this is very cool. After all, the smaller the size of the transistor, the less current it consumes. And the greater the number of transistors, the higher the computing power. Moreover, the dependences are directly proportional.

So, the more small transistors can be placed on the chip, the better.

Let’s take a modern example:

For example, the first ASUS Zenbook that came out in 2011 had an Intel Core i7-2677M processor. It had 624 million transistors. Sounds good, considering that when Moore came up with his law in 65, the current processor had only 64 transistors, not millions, only 64.

generation Core i7-1165G7, which already has 8.2 billion transistors! This is 13 times more, and this is a huge leap forward. But if you estimate according to Moore’s law, then there should have been at least 2 times more transistors at that moment – 19.9 billion, actually. But why did the law slow down? See.

Why did Moore’s Law work?

For a long time, Moore’s Law worked like clockwork. Transistors decreased, their number grew, and the power increased. And this, for a second, exponential growth, that is, very quickly!

Note that all Moore’s Law graphs are shown on a logarithmic scale, but if we translate the graph into a linear scale, we will understand what kind of breakthrough is made every two years. In 1965, there were 64 transistors in the microchip, and now there are almost 40 billion of them in the AMD Epic server processor. But where did this stability come from?

You probably know that processors are made by photolithography. In other words, the laser shines through a stencil called a mask, and the processor is literally burned onto the silicon substrate. It is very similar to developing a photograph.

Here only the fact is important for us: the smaller the wavelength with which the laser shines, the higher the resolution and the smaller the technical process!

Visual infographics on lasers

This is how the industry developed: when they reached the limit of laser resolution, they changed it to a laser with a shorter wavelength.

At first they used arc mercury lamps, not lasers, with a wavelength of 436 nm – this is blue light. Then they mastered 405 nm – this is purple. And finally, up to 365 nm – near ultraviolet. This ended the era of mercury lamps and began the use of ultraviolet gas lasers. First they mastered 248 nm – medium ultraviolet, and then 193 nm – deep ultraviolet or DUV. Such lasers gave a maximum resolution of 50 nm and for some time this was enough. But then came the turning point…

Breaking point

By 2006, it was necessary to master the technical process in 40-45 nm. The resolution of the lasers was not enough.

It was a dead end! The giants of Silicon Valley spent hundreds of millions of dollars to move to 157nm (lasers based on calcium fluoride optics), but it was all for nothing.

Even Gordon Moore himself in 2007 said: “My powers are like everything, because of fundamental reasons” . If anything, this is an exact quote . ..

But we all know that humanity has not stopped at 45 nm. Already 10 years ago, the first ZenBook used 32nm lithography. How did people manage to get around the optical limitations?

They started using different hacks:

• They started exposing chips through water (video). This somehow changed the refraction of the beam and made it possible to increase the resolution.
• They began to use multiple exposure, i.e. they began to use several masks, with different patterns that complement each other.
• And other hacks: radiation polarization, optical proximity correction, the use of phase-shifting masks, off-axis lighting, but the problem with lasers is not so bad.

In 2000, after crossing the threshold of 100 nm due to the strong compaction of transistors, the distance between them became so small that current leaks began! Roughly speaking, electronics jumped from one section of the circuit to the next – where they should not be. And they spoiled the calculations… And parasitic power consumption also increased.

Because of this, I had to put an end to the growth of clock frequencies. Whereas before, frequencies doubled as fast as transistors, the increase has practically stopped.

Ten interesting years

As a result, contrary to their plans, Intel was stuck on the 14 nm process technology, and clock speeds stopped growing. And around 2010, 10 interesting years of optimizations began.

If earlier progress was provided by a brutal decrease in the technical process and an increase in productivity was given easily, now the real work has begun on finishing everything that mankind has come up with over the previous 40 years.

People began to look for innovation beyond Moore’s Law:

1. Processors became multi-core and multi-threaded.
2. There are a lot of coprocessors that solve individual tasks incredibly efficiently: photo processing, video encoding, neural engines, cloud computing. In the end, the transfer of computing to video cards.
3. People have finally started optimizing the software.
4. And iron manufacturers had to improve their products every year. After all, just a new processor did not allow selling a new laptop

And the most amazing thing is that it was during this difficult time that all the iconic products from the brands known to us appeared.

EUV

And now 10 years have passed, while we, with grief in half, produced 14, 10, and even 7-nanometer processors. An event that everyone has been waiting for a very long time has happened. The world has shifted to extreme UV lithography. The laser wavelength jumped from 193nm to 13.5nm, the biggest jump in the history of processors. The technology was developed for 81 years, and only in 2020 did it work at full capacity.

The key point of the technology is that it will allow reducing the technical process down to 1 nm, which is 10 atoms in thickness. And if you think it’s impossible, it’s not. IBM has already mastered 2 nm this year. So, 1 nm is just a matter of technology.

Future

But, what awaits us beyond the threshold of 1 nm? How to improve performance further?

This is a difficult question. Of course, people will come up with a new form of transistor, we will switch to nanosheet transistors. It is possible that people will abandon silicon and switch to new materials. There are a lot of replacement options:

• Carbon nanotubes
• Graphene nanoribbons
• Hafnium dioxide and selenide
• Molybdenum disulphide

Of course, video cards, neural computing, and other specialized chips, which are now developing much faster than processors, will make their contribution. This is colorfully announced to us by a new law from the director of NVIDIA (Huang’s Law).

And finally, most likely we will completely abandon the current concept of the central processor based on the Von Neumann architecture and move on to asynchronous neuromorphic processors built in the likeness of the human brain.