FETs are disappearing???

[R.G.]

The hard-science fuhrer there told me quite plainly that

I've been told ground-shaking truths by a number of big-company science gurus over the years.

Sometimes they were even right. Occasionally I could feel the ground burble a little.

[Paul Marossy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18074644

Cool. Well until they find out one day it causes cancer, mad human disease or something like that. 

[R.G.]

Oh, GREAT!

Now we get to worry that these things will escape and generate common colds that can also electrocute us.   

[R.G.]

Upon reflection, we're going to have to set up orbital habitats just so we can continue with some of the gene-splicing experiments. At least something like that would burn up on re-entry. It doesn't solve the issue of transportation of the people to/from the habitat, but we have that with any Pandora's Box experiments. At least getting the stuff off the surface of the planet removes a lot of leakage concerns.

[artifus]

I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[merlinb]

Implications are HUUUUUUUGE.  ... they are planning for the nano revolution.  Could be interesting.

But don't forget Amara's law – "We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run." 

[J0K3RX]

Implications are HUUUUUUUGE.  ... they are planning for the nano revolution.  Could be interesting.

But don't forget Amara's law – "We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run."  

Ok, you might also consider the Fermi Paradox... 6.1.2 - It is the nature of intelligent life to destroy itself!  

[amptramp]

Upon reflection, we're going to have to set up orbital habitats just so we can continue with some of the gene-splicing experiments. At least something like that would burn up on re-entry. It doesn't solve the issue of transportation of the people to/from the habitat, but we have that with any Pandora's Box experiments. At least getting the stuff off the surface of the planet removes a lot of leakage concerns.

Will you have three-pin power cords, and if so, where does the safety ground go?

[defaced]

Upon reflection, we're going to have to set up orbital habitats just so we can continue with some of the gene-splicing experiments. At least something like that would burn up on re-entry. It doesn't solve the issue of transportation of the people to/from the habitat, but we have that with any Pandora's Box experiments. At least getting the stuff off the surface of the planet removes a lot of leakage concerns.

Will you have three-pin power cords, and if so, where does the safety ground go?

You'll need to file that question with the NEC and the appropriate code committee will get back to you shortly.  Upon answering the question, the code will be updated and can be purchased on the website for a nominal fee.  Of course all current contracts will be updated and specify the current NEC code version upon release and will require re-work impacts to be identified, assessed, quoted and applicable contracts to be revised. 

[wavley]

Sorry for partial hijack.....

I visited a company a couple of weeks ago who are engaged in research into nanomaterials.  The hard-science fuhrer there told me quite plainly that all existing high-volume electronic manufacture will be obsolete within five years.  Effectively, all circuits will be kind of "chemically printed" using techniques that really are just around the corner.

I've read lots of stuff about nanomaterials - I'm no expert, but it has some bearing on my job future so I like to keep abreast.  Nanocircuits will definitely be a reality in a fairly short time frame, simply because big corps have invested so much in research and plant that they HAVE to get payback.  And the potential for profit is huge, almost as huge as the danger of being left behind by the market.

It's the first time I've heard somebody "at the coalface" make a solid prediction about timescales, though.

Implications are HUUUUUUUGE.  Not least a complete turnaround in centralised manufacture in China (or wherever).  Opinion seems to be that the large corps and first world governments are not currently too bothered about reclaiming traditional manufacturing from China, India, Brazil etc.  Instead they are planning for the nano revolution.  Could be interesting.

It's true, I get all of the IEEE (I'm a student member) emails and magazines talking about nano this and nano that and I have to say it's progressing quite nicely, though the specs on a lot of stuff aren't quite there yet.  But even in my industry where we deal with a lot of sub-millimeter wavelengths there are arguments for keeping it discrete (for under 100GHZ, over that is ruled by SIS mixer) over things like MMIC, like a wafer run for MMIC costs $250k whether it works or not, MMIC can't be modified so if your design doesn't work there goes another wafer, it can't be repaired.  So for a lot of things we still keep it discrete chip and wire, that way when lightning hits an antenna and blows a transistor we can replace a device in an amp that costs a lot to make instead of throwing it away.  Granted, working with un-packaged transistors is a pain, but until the cost and reliability of competing technologies makes a great shift.

Point is, I don't think discrete components are going away any time in the near future, although we may have to get a little more SMD friendly around here. Shoot, I can still find NOS tubes here and there, parts will be around for a while.