Created by researchers from NTU's School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE), it puts NTU at the forefront of the miniaturisation drive and paves the way for smaller and cheaper electronic devices.

In a development that could potentially save manufacturers – and consumers – a tidy sum, Prof Do Manh Anh, Assoc Prof Ma Jian-Guo and Assoc Prof Yeo Kiat Seng have successfully integrated a transformer, just five times the thickness of a human hair, into an integrated circuit (IC) chip.

Developed over three years, the NTU transformer, believed to be the world's smallest at 0.27mm by 0.27mm – or about three times more compact than conventional transformers – is high-performing and inexpensive to produce because it is manufactured together with the chip, unlike current transformers.

Its development could herald the arrival of cheaper mobile phones, radios, TVs and laptops that are both smaller and more feature-packed.

NTU's transformer works in all laptops and mobile phones with standardised wireless and mobile frequency bands (eg, GSM, GPRS, GPS, Bluetooth, WLAN and 3G). This makes it an improvement over current commercial models, which can only be used with a single application.

Next big thing
Assoc Prof Yeo, who heads the Division of Circuits and Systems at EEE, is excited about what the miniature transformer – also known as a balun – could mean for the future of electronic products.

"We are keen to bring our invention from the lab and onto the streets, where its actual benefits can be felt by the consumers. We look forward to working with interested industry partners to make this a reality."

Following their breakthrough, the team is working towards incorporating an entire system of electrical and electronic components into a chip.

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