MATERIAL SCIENCE CAT2

INTERNET OF THINGS
NanoLitz could free up frequency spectrum needed to connect devices
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January 28, 2016
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Harvard and Draper¹s NanoLitz approach braids microscopic wires to reduce heat loss,
improve efficiency, and sharpen filter response. Credit: Draper
(CAMBRIDGE, Mass.) – With vehicles communicating with embedded monitors alongside
roadways to better route traffic, and home appliances connected to the smart grid to improve
efficiency and reliability, the Internet of Things (IOT) may generate more than $14 trillion in
economic activity by 2025. However, the concept cannot fully take off without sufficient
frequency spectrum to connect the assorted devices. Many in industry believe that significant
policy changes will be required to enable the needed connections while avoiding interference.
Researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
(SEAS) and Draper are developing a new approach to assembling nanoscale hardware that
could overcome this challenge by enabling devices to generate and receive purer signals to
reduce interference with other nearby transmissions. This could free up spectrum by reducing
the need for space between frequencies that the Federal Communications Commission now
assigns to different users, explained Draper’s Amy Duwel, technical director for the NanoLitz
project.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Air Force
Research Laboratory are funding the NanoLitz work as part of the Atoms to Product (A2P)
effort to find new ways to assemble nanoscale materials that cannot be accomplished with
current techniques such as those used in the semiconductor and microelectromechanical
systems (MEMS) industries or through chemical synthesis. The results could be applied to
tools that enable humans to scale sheer walls; stealth technology; and ultra-small position,
navigation and timing devices.
The NanoLitz approach braids microscopic wires to reduce heat loss, improve efficiency, and
sharpen filter response. To operate at frequencies used in devices like smartphones, Roy
Gordon, Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Materials Science at
Harvard, is developing techniques for making wires up to 1,000 times smaller than those used
today. The wires will be braided with techniques borrowed from MEMS and
microfluidics. The team is also developing a DNA self-assembly method as a tool for
manufacturing braids. That work is led by Vinothan Manoharan, Wagner Family Professor of
Chemical Engineering and Professor of Physics; and Michael Brenner, Glover Professor of
Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics and Professor of Physics, both at Harvard SEAS.
In parallel, Draper is developing a microfluidics-inspired approach for mechanically braiding
the tiny wires that would be scalable to large numbers of wire at high throughput. Draper is
also leading the efforts to model and design the Nanolitz wire to optimize electrical
performance.
The improved signal performance could also enable devices to transmit up to five times more
data per channel, receive much fainter signal levels, and overcome interference that disrupts
GPS signals, said Draper’s David Carter, NanoLitz program manager.
The project builds on Draper’s expertise in harnessing advanced materials to develop
biomedical solutions as well as systems like miniature communications and navigation
devices.

a) List and describe four types of sensors that can be used in telecom industry according
to the above case indicating the corresponding materials used in developing them.
(4 marks)
Gyroscope. That measures the rotational movement, can be used in the development of
phones that support tilt features such as in games or smart gestures. Lies in the category of
inertial measurement units (IMU)
Accelerometers. Measure the speed of a moving object, its also an IMU that can be
embedded in phones or used as sensors for aeroplanes or rockets to measure velocity
Ultrasonic sensors. Used in eco-location, eco-distancing or even communication between two
ultrasonic sensors. The decive consists of a ultrasonic generator and receiver
b) In relation to material science and the above case, develop a proposal on an IoT
microcontroller-based idea, using photonic properties, which the telecommunication
sector can embrace to remain relevant in the current technology era. (6 marks)
Proposal : Green house
c) Implement the solution in tinkercad to include the diagram and the program.
(10 marks)

d) Describe one of the materials used in the above case in relation all properties of
materials indicating its usefulness to Telecommunication Engineering. (8 marks)
e) With graphical representation (in matlab) describe the relation between aluminium
thermal properties and the different parameters that affect it indicating how they can
be used in the above case. (6 marks)

f) With appropriate mathematical and graphical representations, explain how all material
properties are applied in relation to sensors and actuators. (16 marks)

1. Mechanical
2. Thermal
3. Chemical
4. Electrical
5. Photonic
6. Magnetic
NOTE: ALL GRAPHS SHOULD BE DONE IN MATLAB AND EQUATIONS IN
WORD USING EQUATION EDITOR

PROPOSAL FORMAT

Title-heading description of the project to be undertaken

Abstract-summary about the project including its brief description, how it will be
implemented and expected results
Introduction
Problem statement- description of the problem to be solved
Relevance of the study/justification-explanation of why it is necessary to
solve the problem i.e. why the project is being done
Objectives-main reflecting on the title, specific explaining what will done at
each stage to achieve the main objective also called deliverables leading to
main objective
Use words like design, analyze, develop, implement and test
Literature Review- description of what other people have done in the same area
Proposed Method-steps to go through as the design, development, implementation
and testing of the project is being undertaken
Timeframe-table or chart indicating what is to be done at a given time from start to
end of the project
Budget-total cost of the project as obtained from the cost of individual components to
be used in implementing the project
Conclusion-summary of the whole project and what is expected
References-e-books and papers from at least e-journals