of the devices has matured to such an extent that they represent a separate industry sector having its own market and manufacturing infrastructure, as well as being able to utilize other materials aside from silicon. The technology is deployed in widespread usage ranging from low cost, high volume automotive applications, to high cost, low volume instrumentation-oriented applications.
Use of the technology includes the medical arena. Predictions of what medical care may look like in the future includes hospital ventilation systems capable of monitoring the ambient air conditions to identify the presence of visitors who may be capable of spreading infectious diseases within the hospital and/or care environment. Alternatively, implantable insulin reservoirs or active nanocapsules of pancreatic cells to treat patients with diabetics, and implantable devices capable of restoring hearing or vision (Nighswonger, 2000).
Other healthcare-related uses of the technology would allow critical care professionals many miles removed from the patients to m
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