Typically, random behavior isn’t a positive chip characteristic, but Intel researchers say they want to use a circuit capable of generating random numbers in a chip to secure it. By integrating such a circuit into a CPU, Intel researchers say they can generate an encrypted key on the chip, making it more difficult for an attack to expose its data. Conventional encryption takes place in software or in hardware off of the microprocessor, methods which aren’t able to generate truly random numbers and can be hacked. The Intel design uses a cross-coupled inverter with thermal noise fluctuation to generate a random number. (Technology Review)