IBM Creates Smallest Computer Chip In The World To Combat Chinese Knockoffs Using Blockchain

Knockoffs or products of lower quality made by copycats to mimic designer goods are a huge problem for those selling legitimate items. Not only are they much cheaper, they are also more prolific, thus lowering the value of the real thing. IBM may have just created the solution to this problem with a computer chip that is smaller than a grain of salt.

IBM unveiled the new chip at the 2018 Think Conference, which the company notes is intended to "monitor, analyze, communicate and even act on data," CNET reports. A network connection is established by the LEDs on the chip and it’s powered by a solar cell that absorbs power from the sun.

With the help of Blockchain technology, it could then be used to keep track of all kinds of items securely, including designer products. By doing so, customers can finally be sure that they are getting the real deal when they intend to buy a handbag, clothing, or even devices from the expensive manufacturers that sell them.

Far too many people are fooled into buying counterfeit goods that are made so well as to be virtually indistinguishable from the original, but it costs so low that they cut into the bottom line of the actual product they are based on. Designer items are only valuable if only a few people have them. If everybody can buy a Hermes handbag, for example, the brand will drop in value.

The tiny computer chips are fairly cheap as well, costing only $0.10 to manufacture, Engadget reports. As a result, designer goods won’t have to be considerably more expensive than they already are just so customers can make sure that what they are buying is the real thing. On that note, IBM has given no official release window for the chip.