What is Smart Dust? and What can it do?

Smart dust which are also called microelectromechanical sensors (MEMS), they are able to detect anything, from light to the slightest of movements in a given area. Because of technological advancements, smart dust which can also be called "motes" can be the size of only 20 micrometers. They are able to gather data and compute that data into information and send it using two-way band radio at distances up to 1,000 feet. The components of a smart dust all contain sensors, computing circuits, wireless communications technology and a power supply.

The development of smart dust is always progressing at a very fast pace and millions of smart dust can be released into the environment which could do anything from protecting us to ensuring the efficiency of machines.

For a more in depth understanding of what smart dust is and what it does, please refer to: http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/techexec/2004/0607techexec1.html

Sources:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-smart-dust.htm
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/79572/Smart_Dust