advancements in tech Flashcards
what are transistors and their purpose?
- solid state versions of old thermochromic valves used in early computers
- control the flow of an electric current
difference between old thermochromic valves and new transistors
thermochromic valves -energy hungry -burn out quick -big Transistors -semiconductor materials -small -reliable -billions made on a silicon wafer
how have microelectronics developed over time? [5]
- smaller
- more efficient
- portable due to batteries
- greater processing power
- multi functional
what do digital systems do?
use transistors as electronic switches for making decisions and storing data
what 3 jobs have changed due to integrated microelectronics?
journalists
bank clerks
pilots
what are materials being designed to improve?
functionality and efficiency
what are polymers being replaced with and why?
ecofriendly versions are being developed to decrease environmental impact as polymers are negative for the environment
what is a modern material?
- recently discovered
- used in a different way to function
- blended, coated, alloyed or treated to improve function or aesthetics
What is a smart material?
- reacts to an external stimulus and changes characteristics or properties
- stimuli like light, temperature, electricity or moisture
What is Kevlar reinforced plastic used for and why?
speaker cones as it has great acoustic properties
name a memory shape alloy
nitinol
how big are nanomaterials?
1 - 1000 nanometers
name a nanomaterial
graphene
properties of graphene [6]
- 200x tougher than steel
- stretchable
- flexible
- transparent
- impermeable
- highly conductive
uses for graphene
- flexible electronics
- biomedicine
- energy storage
- composite materials
what can 3D printing robots do?
- print on 6 axis
- complex shapes in different materials
- high accuracy
- improving speed levels
what CAD software is used in manufacture?
computational fluid dynamics and Finite element analysis
what has made cad training easier?
standardisation of operating systems and associated file types
how is CAD/CAM easier now?
better interface and standardized visual computer languages [instead of code]
What does VR do?
- allows the user to virtually touch and feel their designs
- they can select tools and sculpt with their hands
- zoom and be inside a design
how does integrated CAD and CAM help design?
- allows for mass customization
- products can be designed by the customer and changed to suit them
what does generative design do?
- makes lightweight and consistently strong forms
- uses precise amounts of material
- max performance and zero waste
- can convert data from testing into alternative solutions
