NASA researchers have announced that they've successfully designed, built and tested a new chip which can resist extremely high temperatures.

The chip exceeded 1,700 hours of continuous operation at 500 degrees Celsius. The space agency claims that this is a 100 fold increase on previously available designs.

NASA has developed the new silicon carbide differential amplifier integrated circuit chip technology for use in jet engines. The addition of such components in the combustion sections of turbofan engines should help monitor the combustion process, thus improving fuel efficiency, safety and reducing emissions.

The developers also see a potential use for the new technology in the oil and natural gas well drilling industry and space exploration.