Miniaturization (Br.Eng. British English, or UK English , is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere. The Oxford English Dictionary applies the term to English "as spoken or written in the British Isles; esp[ecially] the forms of English usual in Great Britain...", reserving ": Miniaturisation) is the creation of ever-smaller scales for mechanical, optical, and electronic products and devices. Miniaturization is a continuing trend in the production of such devices.
The human race has the tendency towards building and manufacturing smaller-scale products due to the desire for size efficiency. Items which take up less space are more desired than items which are bigger and bulkier because they are easier to carry, easier to store, and much more convenient to use.
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History
Early development
The trend can be traced back to ancient times both as an abstract science and as a physical practice, beginning with the atomic theories of the nature of matter Matter is a general term for the substance of which all physical objects are made. Typically, this includes atoms and other particles which have mass. However in practice there is no single correct scientific meaning; each field uses the term in different and often incompatible ways. A common way of defining matter is as anything that has mass and and the use of early microscopes A microscope is an instrument to see objects too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy. Microscopic means invisible to the eye unless aided by a microscope. These first instances of miniaturization eventually led to the creation of current sciences such as nanotechnology Nanotechnology, shortened to "nanotech", is the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures sized between 1 to 100 nanometer in at least one dimension, and involves developing materials or devices within that size and molecular nanotechnology Molecular nanotechnology is the concept of engineering functional mechanical systems at the molecular scale. An equivalent definition would be "machines at the molecular scale designed and built atom-by-atom". This is distinct from nanoscale materials. Based on Richard Feynman's vision of miniature factories using nanomachines to build.
Background to modern development
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In the 1950s, products used in the construction of rockets, guidance and telemetrical systems, satellites and space stations needed to be light, yet rugged, with the ability to withstand wide variation in temperature, pressure and stress. Space technological research (some of which initially seemed to have no economic significance, but perhaps due to the Space Race The Space Race was a technological and ideological competition between the Soviet Union and the United States (USA) for supremacy in outer-space exploration during the mid-to-late 20th century. The term refers to a specific period in human history, 1957-1975, and does not include subsequent efforts by these or other nations to explore space. The) led to the development of new materials, eg. new types of rubber resistant to extremes of hot and cold, new alloys notable for their lightness and toughness, ceramics that are unbreakable, and plastics, which neither melt nor decompose with the application of extreme heat. One of the most important ideas derived from space technology is miniaturization which led to microminiaturization and subminiaturization. Conventional industries then made use of these commercially beneficial ideas.
In electronics Electronics is the branch of science and technology which makes use of the controlled motion of electrons through different media and vacuum. The ability to control electron flow is usually applied to information handling or device control. Electronics is distinct from electrical science and technology, which deals with the generation,, miniaturization was witnessed by an empirical observation called Moore's Law Moore's law describes a long-term trend in the history of computing hardware, in which the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit has doubled approximately every two years. [see image nearby] that predicted that the number of transistors A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals. It is made of a solid piece of semiconductor material, with at least three terminals for connection to an external circuit. A voltage or current applied to one pair of the transistor's terminals changes the current flowing through another pair of terminals on an integrated circuit In electronics, an integrated circuit is a miniaturized electronic circuit (consisting mainly of semiconductor devices, as well as passive components) that has been manufactured in the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material. Integrated circuits are used in almost all electronic equipment in use today and have revolutionized the for minimum component cost doubles every 18 months.[1][2]
Uses
Mobile phone
The mobile phone A mobile phone is an electronic device used for full duplex two-way radio telecommunications over a cellular network of base stations known as cell sites. Mobile phones differ from cordless telephones, which only offer telephone service within limited range through a single base station attached to a fixed land line, for example within a home or, from the first to the third generation, there is a general decrease in its size and weight.[verification needed]
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology Nanotechnology, shortened to "nanotech", is the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures sized between 1 to 100 nanometer in at least one dimension, and involves developing materials or devices within that size is one category of the miniaturization process. Some scientists are actually searching for a way to create a car with the use of this technology.[3]
In science fiction
Main articles: Nanotechnology in fiction Nanotechnology and its use in fiction have attracted scholarly attention. The first use of the distinguishing concepts of nanotechnology was in "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom," a talk given by physicist Richard Feynman in 1959. K. Eric Drexler's 1987 book Engines of Creation introduced the general public to the concept of and Resizing (fiction) Resizing , is a theme in fiction, in particular in fairy tales, fantasy, and science fictionMiniaturization is also a theme of science fiction Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology. It differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature . Exploring the consequences of such differences. Besides referring to redesigning products to make smaller ones, miniaturization in science fiction also refers to shrinking objects and people.
See also
References
- ^ "Cramming more components onto integrated circuits" (PDF). Electronics Magazine. 1965. pp. 4. ftp://download.intel.com/museum/Moores_Law/Articles-Press_Releases/Gordon_Moore_1965_Article.pdf. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
- ^ "Excerpts from A Conversation with Gordon Moore: Moore’s Law" (PDF). Intel Corporation Intel Corporation is the inventor of the x86 series of microprocessors, the processors found in most personal computers. The company is the world's largest semiconductor chip maker, based on revenue. Intel was founded on July 18, 1968, as Integrated Electronics Corporation (though a common misconception is that "Intel" is from the word. 2005. pp. 1. ftp://download.intel.com/museum/Moores_Law/Video-Transcripts/Excepts_A_Conversation_with_Gordon_Moore.pdf. Retrieved May 2, 2006.
- ^ "Rice scientists build world's first single-molecule car" (HTML). 2005. http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=7850&SnID=971109686. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
External links
Categories: Production and manufacturing See either manufacturing or production for an overview of this topic, and also Enterprise resource planning for computer management of it | Industrial processes An industrial process is a procedure that alters materials or substances. Some processes make the production of a rare material vastly cheaper, thus changing it into a commodity; i.e. the process makes it economically feasible for society to use the material on a large scale
Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:15:29 GMT+00:00
Hospital News More recently, with miniaturization of electronics and leaps in the power of microprocessors, ever smaller and more powerful ultrasound has become available ...
Leo A. Geis
hu, 04 Feb 2010 19:25:29 GM
Aerial & Technical Photography, Photoshop & Flash Blog.
Q. It is obvious that fireworks pose many dangers, particularly when carelessly used and abused. Would you be in favor of discontinuing the "traditional" practices for safer light, visual and decorative displays as has been adopted for Christmas and Halloween? In the era of technological advances, miniaturization, and ecological awareness, there could be many novel ways to celebrate "patriotism" (term used loosely) in an entertaining fashion on both a personal level and in public extravaganzas. Would banning personal fireworks be acceptable to you on a National level, and would you show the initiative to boycott explosive and polluting displays to make it a safer and saner holiday? Geez! The anarchists and "freedom means I can do anything… [cont.]
Asked by ladyquesteur - Wed Dec 26 20:32:14 2007 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments
A. I do; I'd be in favor of such a proposal. I hate it when tragedies occur during holidays. And I think I'm turning green.
Answered by unknown - Wed Dec 26 20:41:19 2007
