We explain what electronics is and the history of this technical and scientific discipline. Also, what it is for and its importance.
What is electronics?
Electronics is called a discipline technical and scientific, considered as a branch of the physical and as an engineering specialization, which is dedicated to the study and production of physical systems based on the conduction and control of a flow of electrons or from particles electrically charged.
For this, electronics uses not only certain basic theoretical principles such as the electromagnetism, but also of the science of the materials and other forms of practical application of the scientific knowledge. Its results are of special interest for other fields of specialized knowledge, such as computing or systems engineering.
Contemporary applications of electronics include:
- Control systems. They allow to start or stop processes, as is the case of the circuits of light in our homes and can even acquire a degree of automation.
- Power electronics. It is based on the use of electronic devices to regulate power and electrical voltage, especially at significant levels, which is key in the distribution of the Energy and in other contemporary industrial processes.
- Telecommunications It is one of the broadest areas of the technological development of electronics has to do with the databases and digital information systems, such as Internet. As well as with the universe of gadgets or electronic devices available for the so-called 2.0 culture.
History of electronics
Electronics had its beginning with the so-called "Edison effect." Thomas Alva Edison in 1883 first noticed thermionic emission, that is, the possibility of releasing electrons of an element from the incorporation of caloric energy the same. This was key to the invention of the diode by Sir John Ambrose Fleming and then to the triode in 1906 by Lee De Forest.
The latter is considered the father of electronics, since thanks to their contributions it was possible to overcome the stage in which they were only built power supplies, and begin to amplify signals of all kinds, allowing the first steps towards the invention of radio, TV and other modern artifacts.
Over time, miniaturization was reached and, therefore, the construction of more practical devices with the invention of the transistors in the mid-20th century, with which vacuum valves were replaced, saving energy and money.
Already in 1958 the first integrated circuit in silicon plates was developed, housing six transistors on the same chip. From there to the creation of the first microprocessor in 1970 there was a direct tour. Thanks to electronics, the field of industry and life itself were revolutionized. human being at all levels: cell phones, remote controls, autonomous circuits, etc.
What is electronics for?
Electronics are used for endless applications in the contemporary world. Virtually all the implements that we use daily (computers, calculators, cell phones, digital clocks, electrical circuits, remote controls, televisions, radios) have their origin in the development of electronics, in the improvement of their driving mechanisms and their materials. Thanks to electronics we have revolutionized our technological capacity.
Importance of electronics
Electronics is fundamental in the ability of human beings to build complex implements and autonomous tools that allow them to communicate over enormous distances, automate various tasks of their daily life or make them easier for them in any case.
The ability to build logical mechanisms that work from closed circuits of electricity has been instrumental in spawning a new generation of smarter and more powerful gadgets and will undoubtedly offer further benefits in the future in the field of robotic and automation.