Function analysis systems technique FAST

Fig. 2 Functional Analysis System Technique (FAST) diagram...

It is very similar to the function decomposition in a System-FMEA. It can be performed at components level for hard- and software, and on any system level. This analysis is even recommended within semiconductor stractures. The basic principle of the analysis is the identification of signal chains, which has previously been described by Robert Lusser over 80 years ago. In addition, another method called FAST, Functional Analysis System Technique exists, which describes this derivation of functions at a lower element stiucture and their inductive analyzing approach. 

The multielement function of the plasma-based techniques has been a source of challenges in the AAS field. This has resulted in the fast sequential technique, which is a simple way to mimic the multi-element function. However, it only works for FAAS applications. Moreover, simultaneous multielement ET-AAS systems for analysis have also been placed on the market, although there are some spectral limitations. It also has the drawback of using the same time and temperature programme for all elements. In the future, further developments in the multielement technique can be envisaged which will resort to continuum sources as well as CCD and other multiwavelength detectors. 

The recent development of high-resolution experimental techniques allows for the structural analysis of protein channels with unprecedented detail. However, the fundamental problem of relating the structure of ion channels to their function is a formidable task. This chapter describes some of the most popular simulation approaches used to model channel systems. Particle-based approaches such as Brownian and molecular dynamics will continue to play a major role in the study of protein channels and in validating the results obtained with the extremely fast continuum models. Research in the area of atomistic simulations will focus mainly on the force-field schemes used in the ionic dynamics simulation engines. In particular, polar interactions between the various components of the system need to be computed with algorithms that are more accurate than those currently used. The effects of the local polarization fields need to be accounted for explicitly and, at the same time, efficiently. Continuum models will remain attractive for their efficiency in depicting the electrostatic landscape of protein channels. Both Poisson-Boltzmann and Poisson-Nemst-Plank solvers will continue to be used to... 

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