Cutting-edge technology has the power to revolutionize industrial production But the discoveries that push the frontiers of science and technology are rare. Discovering useful technological tools also takes time. And it takes time to incorporate groundbreaking technology into the existing system.
When industries integrate cutting-edge technology, their profit margins increase. New and innovative technologies improve industrial efficiency.
The public at large may not be able to keep an eye on the latest developments that happen in the field of technology. To stay ahead in the competition, owners of industries must be vigilant and adopt useful innovations. Cutting-edge technology has applications across industrial sectors. The twenty-first century has seen some transformational technological innovations. Some of those are as follows
Technological Innovations That Make An Impact
Every time a groundbreaking innovation is made, it takes time for people to accept it. However, if the technology is really useful it stands the test of time. Some of the technological innovations that have stood the test of time and helped people immensely are discussed here. Innovations like semiconductors, space technology, next-generation computers etc, are a boon to mankind. However, these technological innovations are not stagnant; they are seeing improvements each day.
Semiconductors
- Semiconductors have varied applications. Metals, like coppers, are conductors of electricity as they conduct electric current. Insulators are on the other side of the spectrum. Insulators do not conduct any electricity at all.
- Semiconductors lie somewhere in the middle. They are neither conductors or insulators. They can act both as conductors and insulators based on the conditions. Metals have free electrons that help conduct electricity. Semiconductors can act as conductors due to doping. The doping can be of many types based on the metal that is being used for the doping. Boron, phosphorus and arsenic are the most common elements used for doping.
- Semiconductors are useful for making those tiny chips that help run giant computers. A standard semiconductor chip is measured in nanometers (which is ten to the power six times smaller than a meter). The unique properties of semiconductors are such that they allow variable resistance. They may also make the passage of current more easy in one direction vis-a-vis the other direction. Semiconductors can also conduct electricity on the incidence of light. Such specialized semiconductors are known as photodiodes (where photo stands for light). These specialized diodes (photodiodes) conduct electricity when light energy falls on them.
- Improvement in the manufacture of semiconductors can make chips and, in turn, computers more efficient. The better the make of the chip the higher the efficiency of the computer. Likewise, the more compact the design of the chip, the smaller the computers.
- Advanced semiconductors are useful in creating supercomputers. These computers can carry out extensive and complex calculations in very little time. These supercomputers have varied applications. They are useful in the aviation sector and in weather forecasting. These supercomputers can forecast weather events in time, and this, in turn, can give a boost to the aviation sector. Supercomputers are also useful for genomic sequencing, space exploration etc.
Improvements In Space Technology
The exploration and use of the advances in space sciences can improve the quality of human life. Due to advances in space science, it is possible today to get weather updates. navigation. Moreover, people can use devices like GPS and satellite-based communication.
- Space technology involves making better satellites. Satellites that can reach space and those that can sustain themselves in space for a long time. Successfully launching and sustaining a satellite requires years of research.
- Modern advances in space science have made it easier to launch objects in space. One such discovery is the discovery of ramjet or Scramjet engines. These engines use the oxygen in the air to fuel their journey in space. One of the major considerations in constructing any space-bound object is its weight.
The lower the weight of the space-bound object, the easier it is to propel them. The weight of the fuel that propels the spacecraft adds a lot of weight to the total weight of the spacecraft. The use of the ambient oxygen helps in lowering the weight of the spacecraft to a great extent.
- Space crafts or communication satellites also need to keep a very accurate tab of the time. They need to record precise timing to the order of nanoseconds. Communication satellites are known to use atomic clocks. These precise clocks measure time using the vibration of atoms.
Modern satellites have tremendous applications across industries. Communication satellites help build modern cars, airplanes, etc.
These satellites help in glitch-free telecommunication services. These satellites are also useful for broadcasting television programs. Hence, communication satellites will benefit automobile manufacturers (both autonomous and driver-driven vehicles). Likewise, modern communication satellites will also help the entertainment industry.
Digital Ad Blocker
- People make use of the internet to search for tutorial videos or websites to get quick access to information. It would not be wrong to say that high-speed internet has transformed the pace of industrial development. Now, advertisements and pop-up boxes are a regular feature irrespective of the website that you visit.
- The presence of ads or pop-up boxes can be quite irritating. Also, these pop-up boxes or ads can have links to malicious websites. If people are to make progress there is a need to check and prevent any cyber security threats. Data shows that cybersecurity threats can cause a loss of about a trillion dollars.
- Installing an adblocker is an effective way of preventing the ads from showing up. These ad blockers use pattern recognition to recognize the pattern of ads. Once a matching pattern is found they use filters to block the ads from showing up. Industries across the board need high-quality, glitch-free internet services. So, ad blockers, when adopted across industries, can give a major boost to the efficiency of industrial production.
Cryptography
- When data is transferred from one device to another, it should be tampered with. Alphanumeric codes were useful in protecting data. With time, hackers have become smarter. Today, hackers are able to crack alphanumeric codes with ease. So, there is a need to create stronger safety mechanisms.
- Cryptography involves a series of coding and decoding. The first part involves coding a piece of information. The next step involves decoding the coded information. Now, only a bona fide recipient can decode the information. If one takes the analogy of a lock and key, the coded message is the lock, and the ability to decode is the key.
- Cryptography can be of two types: symmetric and asymmetric. In the former a single key is enough for encrypting (encoding) and decrypting (decoding)a message. Cryptography has applications in the banking sector, messaging applications etc.
Cloud Computing
- Cloud computing stores data in the cloud. Cloud computing uses data centers. These data centers have the necessary services and storage infrastructure required to store data. So, with cloud computing, people do not need individual storage units. They can hire the infrastructure from a data center.
Several industries use cloud computing facilities. Modern ed-tech companies use cloud computing. Modern financial and insurance services use cloud computing.
Conclusion
Modern industries need rapid scientific development. Cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing, semiconductor devices and cryptography help industrial growth. Modern satellites have much lower weight vis-a-vis older ones. Technology like scramjet and ramjet (oxygen-breathing engines) have lowered satellite weight and improved efficiency. Supercomputers have become a reality.
Modern chips make supercomputers smaller in size and also more efficient. If industry owners want cutting-edge technology to benefit them in the long run, they must invest in it. Also, there should be concerted efforts by the national governments and the public to build acceptance of modern technological tools. The policymakers must bring in appropriate policy. The public, for its part, must be flexible to adopt new and use new technology.
