Hardware trends

In addition to the computer software and hardware trends that will impact chemical-scientific database systems in the future, trends in chemistry will also impact them. The disciplines of genetic engineering and polymer chemistry have special needs for chemical database technology, as do computational chemistry and patent applications. The chemical/pharmaceutical industry will enjoy important gains in productivity when these needs are better provided for. 

Organic molecule calculations can be done routinely to good accuracy on workstation-class hardware. It is advisable to examine tabulations of results in order to choose a method with acceptable accuracy and computational time for the property of interest. The trend toward having microcomputer versions of computational chemistry codes is making calculations on small organic molecules even more readily accessible. 

Economic Analysis. Costs of ms/ms instmmentation remain at the high end of the scale for hyphenated systems. Because more powerhil computer systems are becoming available at lower cost and improvements are being made in the less expensive ms hardware, the trend in instmmental cost is downward. The current range for ms/ms systems extends from about 350,000 to about 1.4 million where the ms components are equipped with higher mass and resolution capabiUties. 

Application-Specific Hardware. Another interesting trend is the development of appHcation-specific hardware. These systems are usually minimally programmable, but can offer exceptional performance on the class of problem for which they are designed. A particularly interesting appHcation-specific processor for molecular mechanics is currently being developed (31). 

Currently, the trend in process control is away from centrahzed process control and toward an increased number of small distributed-control or PLC systems. This trend will put emphasis on the evolution of the fieldbus controller and continued growth of the PC-based controller. Also, as hardware and software improves, the functionality of the controller will increase, and the supporting hardware will be physically smaller. Hence, the traditional lines between the DCS and the PLC will become less distinct as systems will be capable of supporting either function set. 

For a manufacturer the difficulty is to estimate future developments or trends in NMR microscopy. Based on dedicated laboratory-made hardware developed by the NMR microscopy users and on their requests for new commercial hardware and software, the following topics could become more important micro-coil applications, multiple receiver systems and multi-coil arrangements, NMR microscopy at very high magnetic fields, MAS imaging and localized 1H MAS spectroscopy and localized single-shot 2D spectroscopy. There are no clear-cut distinctions between most of the individual topics, as will be discussed in the following sections. 

One of the key trends of sensor technology will he in modularisation of the technology steps in order to provide quasi-customized solutions without the need for a complete development. A modularisation of the sensor hardware in combination with standardization attempts are also being followed, but are deemed too expensive for the use in many applications, without a significant customisation advantage. 

Protocol analysis. Protocol analysis is the process of capturing, decoding, and interpreting electronic traffic. The protocol analysis method of network intrusion detection involves the analysis of data captured during transactions between two or more systems or devices, and the evaluation of these data to identify unusual activity and potential problems. Once a problem is isolated and recorded, problems or potential threats can be linked to pieces of hardware or software. Sophisticated protocol analysis will also provide statistics and trend information on the captured traffic. 

The fundamental limitations of optical interference can be suppressed greatly if the wavelength of the source radiation is shortened. Because pattern distortion is severe when feature resolution approaches the exposure wavelength, the use of short-wavelength radiation pushes the resolution towards finer features. Thus, the increasing trend is to explore deep-UV sources and to improve upon the existing near-UV hardware. The desire to reduce feature size has also generated much interest in X-rays and electron beams as alternative radiation sources. 

Many wholesalers will provide the hardware and software for the inventory management system. The most current trend is Web-based systems. These allow pharmacy managers to view in real time the quantity on hand at the wholesaler, the list price, the manufacturer backorder status, and the online catalog. These Web-based systems also enable pharmacy staff to check purchase orders, invoices, and account information in real time. Another advantage is that the pharmacy staff can place orders and view account information from other locations besides the pharmacy... 

Cost-effectiveness and mass deployment of critical systems in combination with non-critical systems is a trend, where many other application areas will benefit from, so that there is a clear need not only for application-specific ICT-technology, but for generic dependable ICT-technology (hardware, software, SoC (Systems-on-Chip), building blocks, communication) which fulfils the requirements of generic functional safety and security standards as well as of sector-specific ones (certification to create trust in these systems ). 

The problems associated with the study of solids and the means to overcome them having been outlined, it is of value to the prospective user of n.m.r.in catalysis to be aware of the compromises which should be considered before embarking on the purchase of equipment. Although the general trend is towards buying n.m.r. spectrometers already equipped for solid-state studies, it is feasible to modify conventional liquid-state spectrometers.35 Some additional hardware is required and a good knowledge of electronics. Details of the spectrometer itself have been described.1,36 -40 A few comments are merited on each of the essential features required to be able to perform the majority of the studies described in this review. 

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