Vanishing Electronics.

The article discusses transient electronic devices, programmable electronic devices that are designed to disintegrate over a short period of time. Possible applications of such technology include delivering medication, monitoring chemical and oil spills, and conducting military surveillance operations. Details are provided on research led by John Rogers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as well as the increased prevalence of integrated circuits and microchips in electronic devices. Comments from Rogers on how transient electronics could replace microprocessor and electronics designs are included.