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Patron: Her Majesty the Queen
Patron: Her Majesty the Queen
3rd Meeting of the 193rd Session (2013-2014)
Prof Tom Stevenson
In the Augustine United Church
41 George IV Bridge
Edinburgh, EH1 1EL
On Monday 2nd December 2013, at 7pm
This lecture will review some of the
developments in electronics which have had an enormous impact on
our modern lifestyle, typified by the latest generation of smart
phones. The effect of this technology on society has been similar
to that of the printing press in historical times and it could be
said to have triggered another industrial revolution, based on
the transfer and storage of information.
The invention of the transistor in 1947 was a milestone in the
development of modern electronics, allowing much smaller, lighter
systems to be realised with a corresponding reduction in cost and
power consumption. The first integrated circuit followed in 1958,
demonstrating that large numbers of transistors could be
fabricated simultaneously on a common substrate. The
manufacturing techniques developed rapidly and by the early 1970s
we had electronic calculators as consumer products. In the 1980s
the personal computer was launched, followed by the mobile phone.
The drive to make devices ever smaller has continued and the
integrated circuits in the latest computers may contain hundreds
of millions of transistors on a piece of silicon smaller than a
postage stamp. The manufacturing process for such devices –
microfabrication – uses a fascinating combination of
optics, chemistry, physics and high precision mechanics,
operating in an ultra-clean, temperature-controlled environment.
It is the most complex manufacturing process ever devised by
man.
Looking ahead, there are indeed physical limits to
miniaturisation but they have not yet been reached.
We are likely to see even more complex devices appearing at
prices that make them attractive to the consumer and there will
be new applications in other fields, particularly in medicine and
health care. The future looks good!
Tom Stevenson retired at the end of 2012 from the University of Edinburgh where he held a Personal Chair in Microelectronics Technology. Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh, he worked for Ferranti and Wolfson Microelectronics. He has been involved with the Museum of Communication [MoC] for over 20 years, having been a colleague and friend of the founder of the collection, Harry Matthews. He has been active in communicating science to the general public for many years through Museum activities and by taking part in Science Festivals at various locations from Carlisle to Aberdeen. He has taken an active part in the Orkney Science Festival every year since it was founded in 1991.
Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are served from about 6:40pm onwards before the meetings.
Members of the Public are welcome to attend
Dr Jane Ridder-Patrick, Secretary
secretary@rssa.org.uk
Telephone: 0131 556 2161
The Royal Scottish Society of Arts is Registered Scottish Charity SC015549