2.5 Major Developments in Technology

Question 1

Early 19th century

Answer 1

Electrical batteries and circuits:

• Basic lighting
• Motors
• Switches

Question 2

Early 20th century

Answer 2

Vacuum tube (thermionic valve):

   - Early amplifiers
   - Radios
   - TV's
   - Computers

Question 3

1940s

Answer 3

Transistor (semi-conductor):
- Portable radios and a reduction in the size of other electronic
products

Question 4

1960s

Answer 4

‘Microelectronic’ ICs (approx 500 transistors):
- More powerful computers and highly portable devices such as
music players

Question 5

1980s

Answer 5

Ultra large-scale ICs (ULSI) (1000000+ transistors):

• Laptops and mobile phones

Question 6

2017

Answer 6

10 billion+ transistors ICs:
- Supercomputers and prospect of even more powerful mobile
devices

Question 7

Impact of compact cassette

Answer 7

Portability and convenience of enclosed recording tape

Cheap, easy to use and relatively reliable

Question 8

Impact of CD

Answer 8

Reliable, wear-free storage of digital files

Portable and relatively high storage capacity

Question 9

Impact of laser

Answer 9

Reliable, non-contact, light transmission of CD data

Question 10

Impact of Ni-Mh batteries

Answer 10

Rechargeable, portable power

Question 11

Impact of LCD display

Answer 11

Facilitates user display interface

Consumes less power than previous displays

Question 12

Impact of MP3 (compressed digital audio)

Answer 12

Increased capacity of devices to store more songs

Question 13

Impact of miniature hard drive

Answer 13

High-capacity storage capability

Question 14

Impact of lithium batteries

Answer 14

Rechargeable power and longer battery life

Question 15

Impact of flash (IC) storage

Answer 15

No moving parts improving reliability

Question 16

Impact of capacitive touch screen

Answer 16

Improvements to user control and display interface

Question 17

Impact of music streaming

Answer 17

Removable of the requirement to store files on devices

Question 18

The Internet of things (IoT)

Answer 18

Network of multiple microelectronic devices using wi-fi and the internet.

It has many applications so far, for example:
- Smart fridges using cameras and radio frequency identification
(RFID) scanners to order products as they are used
- An automatic JIT manufacturing system that organises its own
the flow of parts and predictive maintenance of manufacturing
equipment

Question 19

Research

Answer 19

1950s:

• Books
• Film photography
• Writing letters
• Reading paper catalogues
  Now:
• Internet searches
• Digital photography
• PDFs
• Use of mobile devices

Question 20

Generating and Refining Design Ideas

Answer 20

1950s

• Sketching
• Drawing boards
• Rubbing out and re-drawing errors
• Basic copying methods
  Now:
• CAD
• Graphics tablets
• Parts libraries
• Scanning to input data
• 3D rendering

Question 21

Design Collaboration and Communcation

Answer 21

1950s:

• Face-to-face meetings
• Landline telephone calls
• Postal communication
  Now:
• Web conferences
• Email texts
• File sharing and cloud storage
• Online collaboration

Question 22

Modelling and Testing Ideas

Answer 22

1950s:

• Handmade models
• Destructive testing
• Calculations (sometimes with calculators)
  Now:
• Virtual 3D CAD model
• Finite elements analysis (FEA)
• Complex computer applications

Question 23

Manufacturing

Answer 23

1950s:

• Skilled operation of manual machines
• Paper-based stock control
• Manual handling
  Now:
• CNC machines
• Robotic devices
• Computer monitored JiT systems
• 3D printing

Question 24

QC (quality control) and testing

Answer 24

1950s:

• Manual and visual inspection using verniers and gauges
• Basic laboratory equipment
  Now:
• Automated scanning
• Digital imaging
• Probe measuring linked to computers

Question 25

State two features of glulam

Answer 25

Layered timber and glue used to create various components Elimination of timber defects Easy to form parts Good strength/weight ratio Sustainable

Question 26

State one applications of glulam

Answer 26

* Buildings * Bridges * Other structures

Question 27

State two features of kevlar

Answer 27

Fibre, which is often combined with resins

Question 28

State one application for kevlar

Answer 28

* Bulletproof * Puncture-resistant tyres * Aircraft construction

Question 29

State two features of graphene (nanomaterial)

Answer 29

Two-dimensional form of microscopic carbon particles with a honeycomb-like atomic structure * Can be rolled into very thin and hollow tubes * Very good tensile strength, hardness, heat resistance, and electrical conductively * Lack of recyclability

Question 30

State one application of graphene (nanomaterial)

Answer 30

* Medical treatment * ‘Nanoelectronic’ devices * Advanced coating * Battery manufacture

Question 31

State one feature of precious metal clay (PMC)

Answer 31

Microscopic particles of metals such as gold and silver are bound together in a pliable medium * Easily hand-shaped before firing in an oven at 700

Question 32

State one application of precious metal clay (PMC)

Answer 32

Jewellery - Decorative items

Question 33

State how electrohydraulic forming work

Answer 33

Sheet metal is forced against a former by a shockwave from an electrical spark in a water tank

Question 34

State two advantages of electrohydraulic forming

Answer 34

Uses one-sided former Fast Great detail is possible Material is evenly distributed

Question 35

State one application of electrohydraulic forming

Answer 35

Electrical appliance cases - Car parts

Question 36

State how advanced 3D printing of metals using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) works

Answer 36

A laser fuses metal particles, layer by layer

Question 37

State two advantages of advanced 3D printing of metals using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)

Answer 37

Complex, strong and lightweight parts can be made - Undercuts and internal voids are possible

Question 38

State one application of advanced 3D printing of metals using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)

Answer 38

One-off prototypes and test parts

Question 39

State how fibre injection moulding work

Answer 39

Injection moulding using pellets of glass or carbon fibre filled polymers such as polyamide (nylon)

Question 40

State two advantages of fibre injection moulding

Answer 40

Parts produced are very strong, stiff, lightweight, and economical to mould Facilitates sustainability by reusing carbon-fibre waste

Question 41

State one application of fibre injection moulding

Answer 41

Lightweight parts of aerospace and automotive Sports equipment Medical equipment