Integrated circuit

Integrated circuit, I.C. for short, is an important component from Robot Masters. When Mega Man fights against a Robot Master, he takes great care to not damage their I.C. chip's "cognitive circuit". As long as the cognitive circuit isn't completely destroyed, Robot Masters can be rebuilt any number of times. It is the source of a robot's personality.

Other media
In the Rockman manga series, Mega Man obtains Special Weapons by equipping I.C. chips from robots he defeated.

I.C. chips are mentioned in some issues from the Mega Man comic book series by Archie Comics. Mega Man himself says he has an integrated circuit in issue #23, asking Break Man to not destroy it.

In the comic book crossover Worlds Collide, Dr. Wily & Dr. Eggman are able to recreate any of the fallen Robot Masters with their integrated circuits intact due to the use of the reality warping Genesis Wave.