Other New Technologies

As consumer products become smaller and offer more services to the user, one frequent consequence is that they contain increasing numbers of physically smaller components. A typical example of this trend is the hearing aid where the emphasis is on providing a more powerful and efficient device which will improve the wearer s quality of life. The Acuris P hearing aid from Siemens incorporates a moulded interconnect device (MID) made from Ticona s Vectra E820i LDS liquid crystal polymer (TCP). This novel plastic permits complex, fine-line circuit patterns to be laser-etched and then plated. The MID itself, whose function is to connect the microphone module to other electronic components in the unit, is approximately 3 mm wide and 25 mm long. 

This process using Ticona s new LCP grade enables three-dimensional circuit boards, featuring a high degree of design flexibility to be mass-produced. The ability to produce fine conductor patterns in almost any lay-out offers scope for better space utilisation as a way to assist the miniaturisation process. Other applications include mobile phone antenna modules as well as in the development and implementation of new mechatronic systems. 

Sensorics, also known as the electronic nose, represent another interesting technology where polymers are used because synthetic chemosensors can only detect a molecule when it is dissolved in a polymeric layer present in the sensor. The technology involves the use of a quartz crystal microbalance device to detect by volume and analyse surface waves on piezoelectric materials. Swelling detection on the basis of variations in conductivity also forms part of the technology. The role of polymers in this technology was discussed in an article by Banhegyi [3]. 

The science of chemical sensors is being studied at Manchester University for the use and application of conducting polymers [4]. Derivatives of polyaniline, polythiophene, polypyrrole and poly(phenylene vinylene) doped with various ions have been investigated as chemical sensors for biosensors, volatile organic compounds, polymer field-effect gas-sensitive transistors and optical sensors based on electrochromic properties. 

The US Techni-Met Inc., has developed a process which may benefit some electronic applications where surface quality is paramount. The process involves the use of vacuum-sputtering technology and an acrylic monomer to lay down an acrylic polymer surface on film. The acrylic bonds to the film substrate by crosslinking and suitable films for the process include PET, PEN, PVC and polyimide. The company claims that its process confers superior water, oxygen and optical properties. 

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Like any other new technology, pharming not only holds some glowing promises, as outlined above, but also poses some significant risks, both to people and to the environment. One of the most dramatic of these risks is the harm that such drugs may cause to patients who use them. 

Evaluate other new technologies that have the potential for cost-effective sustainable production of hydrogen and fund appropriate research and development (R D) in promising areas. 

For more information about this book or any of Prentice Hall s other new technology titles, visit our website at http //www.prenhall.com... 

Digital circuits are a key part of virtually every electrical system. The simplicity of l s and 0 s can create the reality of computers, calculators, CD-ROMs, fiberoptic transmissions, digital signal processors, and a host of other new technologies too numerous to mention. 

An even simpler duplication process based on the same principle is shown in Figure 5.29(B). If a hole-injecting electrode is used instead of a photosensitive layer, simple electrostatic charging allows the pattern to be read and transferred.148 Other new technologies based on the photopatteming of polysilanes are being developed, and may become commercialized in the future. 

First, I am often asked by investment bankers and those who follow our technology, why this technology has not grown as fast as everyone said It would. At first my inclination was somewhat defensive, but then 1 did some research into the growth of other new technologies. I looked at ... 

As with other new technologies, it is possible that the first licensed DNA vaccines will receive conditional approval. In this case, postlicensing Phase IV clinical trials may be requested to address and monitor remaining unresolved issues by specific studies or on a larger scale. Furthermore, as for any medicinal product, effective and intensive pharmacovigilance procedures will be used to closely monitor the appearance of any side effects, while the vaccine is applied widely and routinely. 

Finally, STAMP points the way to very different approaches to risk assessment. Currently, risk assessment is firmly rooted in the probabilistic analysis of failure events. Attempts to extend current PRA techniques to software and other new technology, to management, and to cognitively complex human control activities have been disappointing. This way forward may lead to a dead end. Significant progress in risk assessment for complex systems will require innovative approaches starting from a completely different theoretical foundation. 

The methods and technologies smdied so far have their limitations or drawbacks in terms of yield and energy consumption. For further development, classic separation techniques need to be improved or combined with other new technologies for PDO to be produced on a large scale. 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is funding numerous research projects to improve conventional and develop other new technologies to detect, diagnose, and characterise breast cancer. Accor[Pg.438]

Various new assay technologies have become available in the last several years. While some of these technologies can be viewed as improvements on the HPLC—MS/MS platform, other new technologies are MS—based but do not have a chromatographic step. It is important to be aware of these new techniques because in some cases, they may be a significant improvement over our current technology. 

Finally, we reemphasize that this research area is still young developments are occurring rapidly, driven by other new technologies in drug discovery research. This chapter represents a personal snapshot taken by the authors. It is impossible to predict the contents of an article written in 10 years on the subject of molecular diversity . 0... 

Unlike other new technologies which require some special attribute of the system being activated such as the use of microwaves (dipolar species), electrochemistry (conducting medium) and photochemistry (the presence of a chromophore), for chemical applications ultrasound requires only the presence of a liquid to transmit its power. 

The use of visible light communication, iBeacon, and other new technologies for IPS tracking... 

Other new technology developments in this market segment include surface-tolerant epoxy coatings for aged or marginally-prepared surfaces, interval-firee... 

The next step is to identify viable commercial applications for which these actuators are uniquely suited like any other new technology, they should not attempt to compete with established technologies that are already in place, unless the new technology offers substantially superior performance. Only if the potenhal pay-off is large enough will it be possible to obtain the required investment. To identify these opportunities, those in the EAP field need to begin discussions with medical doctors, device manufacturers, and others outside the field. 

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