With processor die sizes reaching their physical limit, researchers at North Carolina State University have theorised a new configuration that will change the way CPUs are made. These new ‘chaos-derived’ processors will use non-linear transistors to allow for the full potential of the processor to be available at all times. Traditionally, CPUs handle calculations one at a time (per core), which means many transistors are left idling.

The researchers actually put this theory into practice by producing a chip with nonlinear circuits. If brought to the mass market, chipmakers may not have to worry too much about increasing the density of their CPUs for a while.