New and Emerging Technologies

Question 1

Define

nanotechnology.

Answer 1

technology on a microscopic scale

Question 2

Define

cloud computing.

Answer 2

a network of online servers that store and manage data

Question 3

Define

Internet of Things.

Answer 3

where electronic devices connect within the existing internet infrastrucure, to send and receive data without human intervention

Question 4

Define

economies of scale.

Answer 4

the cost advantages that manufacturers obtain due to the size, output or scale of their production

Question 5

Define

disruptive technology.

Answer 5

technology that displaces an established technology and shakes up the industry or a ground-breaking product that creates a completely new industry

Question 6

What are some examples of

disruptive technologies?

(4)

Answer 6

• additive manufacturing
• advanced robotics
• the internet of things
• virtual reality

Question 7

What is

additive manufacturing?

Answer 7

Technologies that translate 3D designs into solid, physical forms.

Software is used to ‘slice up’ 3D designs into a series of layers, which are then sent in sequence t a rapid prototyping system. They are then built up layer by layer in a number of different ways.

Question 8

What are three examples of different methods of

additive manufacturing?

and briefly describe how they work.

Answer 8

• stereo lithography - a laser traces the shape of a layer onto a bath of liquid resin which is cured, this process is repeated layer by layer until a final object is created
• laser sintering - a laser traces the shape onto a powder, this becomes a solid and the process is repeated layer by layer until the object is completed
• 3D printing - ‘prints’ thermoplastic material layer by layer to build up a 3D shape

Question 9

What are some benefits of

emerging and disrupting technologies?

Answer 9

• increased flexibility to produce complex products that are made from multiple materials and have multiple functions
• use of digital modelling and simulation tools to evaluate and plan manufacturing processes has reduced time to market and costs
• improved productivity and quality
• sustainable manufacture as a result of improved use of material resources and reduced energy consumption

Question 10

What is a good example of the

maker movement?

Answer 10

The Pebble smart watch.

It began as a prototype produced in a bedroom, and raised over $10 million on Kickstarter before it was launched commercially. The development of the Pebble smart watch led to an increased interest and lead to reasearch and developments in wearable technology by large manufacturers such as Samsung, Google and Apple.