Tiny tech of today that’s set to for legendary things tomorrow
When it comes to tech,
size doesn’t really matter. There are incredible tiny technologies that need to
be celebrated as they are set to do legendary things in the future…
What: Radio-frequency identification devices
Where: Currently in use at the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in London
Why it’s vital: Researchers have struggled to find out why
bees are dying out. This tiny tech will help provide vital insights into bee
behaviour and why these important insects are in a state of decline.
The application: The bee is cooled to slow down, and then
retrained to allow for this tiny tech to be glued to the insects back with
epoxy resin.
- The device has a 8.2
feet tracking distance capability plus a 3 month potential lifespan.
What: A tiny ingestible sensor that could measure more vital signs than ever
before.
Where: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Why it’s vital: The next step is to build an entirely wireless
device comprised only of FDA approved components. If successful, it could
provide doctors with more accurate information on patients vitals. Outside of
medicine, it could offer performance athletes with invaluable data to aid
improvement.
- Six pigs have
successfully ingested the prototype.
- Costs about R1200 to build a device.
- Costs about R1200 to build a device.
What: A drone that can be worn like a slap bracelet.
Where: Palo Alto, California
Why it’s vital: This technology fuses the portability of tech
like Google Glass with the unique vantage points of surveillance drones. With motion-prediction
algorithms and sensor fusion, it could allow us to take images without
interrupting moments.
- This project has
received about R840 000 in funding.
- The drone has a 360° camera potential
- The drone has a 360° camera potential
What: Tiny sensor that powers itself from radio waves
Where: Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
Why it’s vital: Tiny chips that measure temperature, light and
air pollution are being incorporated into smart homes and offices, but the
biggest challenge has been making them battery free. This chip could help power
the Internet of Everything market.
- 5 metre sensor range
goal.
- Only 20 cents expected if mass produced.
- Only 20 cents expected if mass produced.
What: Miniaturized satelites for space research
Where: In space
Why it’s vital: This year, the InSight stationary lander to
Mars will include two CubeSats, which will fly by Mars to provide additional
communications from InSight to Earth. In addition, swarms of CubeSats may be
sent to space to measure multiple data points and perform experiments that
otherwise would not be possible.
- 13 CubeSats were
launched into space in October 2015.
- 3 student-built CubeSats were launched atop an Atlas V rocket in 2015.
- 3 student-built CubeSats were launched atop an Atlas V rocket in 2015.
What: Computer chip parts using carbon nanotubes
Where: United States
Why it’s vital: Smaller, faster, cheaper, better. Carbon
nanotube transistors are the only technology that currently looks capable of
keeping the advance of computer power of slowing down.
- 6 nanotubes are
lined up in parallel to make a single transistor.
- 5 nanometer chips will be required in 2020 if we are to keep up with Moore’s Law.
- 5 nanometer chips will be required in 2020 if we are to keep up with Moore’s Law.
From a bumblebee
backpack to a minuscule drone that might change the way we document the world –
these tiny tech advancements are set out to do legendary things in the future.
Looking for a reliable, yet affordable IT company you can trust - contact us at The Computer Guyz in Cape Town or Centurion.
Looking for a reliable, yet affordable IT company you can trust - contact us at The Computer Guyz in Cape Town or Centurion.
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