New Electrical Engineering Technology Applications for Old

Today, electrical engineering is one of the most exciting careers to have, especially if you want to specialize in the electronics research and development areas of electrical engineering technology. Just take a brief look at some of the current research and development of new products that are in the first stages of the pathway to market.

Augmented Maps

Printed maps are easy to read and to use, but they lack detail if you want to examine specific areas, and they have to be reprinted as the details change. Maps on computers and small hand-held devices are hard to read, but they can easily be updated. A new development combines the best of these two kinds of maps by creating a dynamic high-resolution map. This is a printed map that is augmented by digital graphical material. Using electrical engineering technology in the form of a camera and a PDA, it is possible to locate an area on a printed map and automatically produce updated details of specific areas, including photographs as well as map graphics.

Electronic Counterfeit Detection

Miniaturization of older electrical engineering technology can open up many new applications. A typical example of this is the production of micro magnetic sensors, which have many different uses. The production of a magnetic microscope which operates at room temperatures allows close examination of surfaces. This means that it can be used in conjunction with anti-counterfeiting devices embedded in bank notes, tickets, and cards.

You need to plan your engineering career carefully in order to achieve the engineering job you really want. Qualifications are vital to your engineering career, both to start you in your first engineering job, and as a continuous education program. But the rewards are real, and in today's high-technology environment, there is no better place to be.

Sources:
http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/stories/2005/augmented_maps/
http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/stories/2005/magnetic_sensors/

Mary Hobson is a consultant for technology start-ups in Russia. She has also worked as an executive officer in a defense facility and as a university lecturer in computer science and management information. Mary earned her first degree in textile marketing and subsequently studied education and computer science at a Master's degree level.

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