Electronics has moved way beyond logic circuits into
brand new territory. New innovations are pushing an
old industry into the 21st century—and beyond.
"Smart" chips, also known as embedded control chips,
are programmable chips that can change their functionality
on a whim. Inserted into common electronic devices,
such as cellular phones and wireless PDAs, these chips
allow their users to create custom functions. You can
now reprogram your cell phone, or the electronic system
in your car, to do what you want. The Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency is even working to develop
a "chemical lab on a chip."
Pretty soon, your students may not even be working
with electronic circuits or chips at all. New electro-optic
ink is now being developed by the University of Arizona.
This amazing ink uses organic polymers to "paint" photonic
circuits onto almost any surface, including paper plastic,
silicon, and glass. The different compounds allow for
more flexible conductivity than traditional circuits.
Our Crocodile Technology kits give your students the
chance to develop and test their electronic designs,
as well as to refine and evaluate them. Absorb Electronics
introduces the essentials of electronic design through
simulation and interactive animation activities. No
matter what you teach—whether it’s industrial arts,
technology education, science, or home school—your students
will love using the experiential learning software and
kits that are a part of our technology curriculum modules.
