UNIT 2.5 Flashcards
DEVELOPMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY
What are transistors?
Solid-state versions of the old thermionic valves that were used in early computers
What do digital systems use transistors as?
Electronics switches for making decisions and storing data
What has the production of transistors created more efficient products?
- Smaller, more powerful products
- Portability due to lower power circuitry and better batteries
-Multi-functionality due to greater processing power
How has the use of polymers affected the planet?
It affected the planet negatively, causing developers to look for an environmentally friendly replacement
What kind of polymer is used in 3D printing?
Vegetable starch-based biopolymer
What is a modern material?
A material or element that has been relatively recently discovered
What is a smart material?
A material that reacts to an external stimulus by changing its characteristics and/or properties
What are examples of stimuli?
light, temperature, pressure, moisture, electricity
What is used in person protective equipment and modern aircraft manufacture?
The aramid range of fibres such as Kevlar and Nomex
What is an example of a shape memory alloy?
Nitinol in medical field for use as stents
What is Kevlar-reinforced plastic used for?
Has been found to have great acoustic properties and is used to make speaker cones as well as some musical instruments
What is the nanometerials range?
1 to 100 nanometers
What are the properties of nanometers?
- 200x harder than steel, stretchable and fixable, transparent yet impermeable and highly conductive
What are the advancements in CAD/CAM?
CAD software has become more intuitive and designers are able to conduct complex testing within the program. The testing can include computational fluid dynamics (CFD) abdominal finite elements analysis (FEA)
What does generative design do?
Creates lightweight forms with consistent strength.
Uses precise amounts of material only where needed.
Achieving maximum performance with 0 waste
