Article
Technological
Advancement
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Technology advancement to address the world’s growing demand for clean and affordable energy will require simultaneous advances in materials science and technology in order to meet the performance demands of new power-generating systems. Fuel cells emerge as highly efficient, fuel flexible, and environmentally friendly electricity producing devices. These unique characteristics advantageously differentiate fuel cells from conventional heat engines for power generation and therefore have attracted worldwide attention – from research and development activities in institutes to commercialization efforts in industries – for the last few decades. In this chapter, the history, advantages, applications, and designs of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are briefly reviewed.
Technology advancements in many areas make it possible to build devices that were not possible 20, 10, or even 5 years ago. Even though Moore’s law5 is not a law of physics, it gives an indication of the rapid technology evolution for integrated circuits. This evolution enables faster processing/computing and more memory in smaller devices at lower cost. Similarly, the rapid development of color touch-screens, small digital cameras, etc. makes it possible to envisage services to a device that were seen as utopian 10 years ago.
The size and weight of UEs have reduced dramatically during the past 20 years. The standby and talk times have also been extended significantly and the end users do not need to re-charge their devices every day. Simple black-and-white (or brown-and-gray) numerical screens have evolved into color screens capable of showing digital photos at good quality and further into the touch-screens common on today’s smartphones and tablets. Mega-pixel-capable digital cameras have been added, making the device more attractive to use. Thus, the mobile device has become a multi-purpose device, not only a mobile phone for voice communications.
On the network side, a number of technologies have emerged that have altered the ways in which networks can be built. Base station miniaturization enables low cost, small cell deployments, while faster and more cost-effective backhaul mechanisms enable more varied deployments. In larger sites, advanced designs that integrate transceiver electronics and antenna systems reduce losses, energy costs, form factors, and site costs. In the longer term, network coordination and relocation of network functionality have the potential to change the topology of networks.