The next small thing.

Part of a special section on technological innovation. The practice of etching microscopic machines on to silicon chips is rapidly developing, and three particular applications of these microsystems are worthy of attention. One application is the variable microcapacitors that allow the rapid chang...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Economist Vol. 357; pp. 8 - 9
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Economist Newspaper Limited 12/9/2000
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Part of a special section on technological innovation. The practice of etching microscopic machines on to silicon chips is rapidly developing, and three particular applications of these microsystems are worthy of attention. One application is the variable microcapacitors that allow the rapid change in frequency demanded by the third generation of wireless-communications equipment. Another area full of potential is “microreactor chemistry,” which holds plenty of promise for types of chemical engineering. A third promising area is the “lab-on-a-CD,” which could come to replace the widely-touted “lab-on-a-chip.”