Gordon Moore coined the law in 1965: The number of transistors on a computer chip doubles every year, and with this doubling comes increased processing power. He amended the law in 1975, saying that the doubling occurs every two years. This has largely held true, leading to Moore’s Law becoming part of everyday conversations.



But scientists know there’s a limit to how many transistors you can fit on a chip. Physics prevents transistors from being too small and still functioning. Next year’s chips will measure 130 nanometres. When we reach 30 nanometres — in about seven or eight years — it will mark the physical limits of current technology.



So what’s Moore saying about his law now? The pace may slow, he believes, but the doubling will continue.