Microscopic computers at microscopic prices to monitor everything & report automatically and wirelessly. A science fiction movie theme or reality? It seems that 'smart dust' computers are imminent, with applications in everything from household appliances, food and clothes to earthquake prediction, medicine and oil exploration.

Smart dust computers are also known as MEMS (microelectromechanical sensors) and have theoretical applications in virtually every field of science and industry. They could be used to monitor traffic, alert soldiers to poisons, track defects in products on an assembly line and even enter human bodies to check for physiological problems.

They have been hailed as 'pure goodness', and the potential applications seem breathtaking. I've got certain concerns about privacy and security, but on balance it looks very exciting. When is it going to start happening? How long will it be before 'smart dust' has a real impact on life and business? What applications will come first?