Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. gadget (n.) [gaj-it] – a small device that can be operated manually
or electronically
Example: The
scientist invented a gadget that can
produce electricity.
2. stack (v.) [stak] – to arrange something by putting each piece on
top of another
Example: He stacked the plates to put them in order.
3. embed (v.) [em-bed; n. em-bed] – to insert an object into a body or another
object.
Example: The
doctor embeds an artificial leg in my
thigh.
4. a long way to go (idiom.) [uh] [lawng, long] [wey] [too] [goh] – a lot of work to do or
improvements to make
Example: We have a long way to go before we can finish
our project.
Article
Read the text below.
Scientists
have developed the first commercially available device that allows us to
operate an electronic gadget with only the beat of our hearts.
The
device is called a nanogenerator. It is made of millions of nanowires that can
produce electricity when pressed or bent. This technology is based on a
phenomenon called piezoelectric effect which is used in many electronic devices
today.
Nanogenerators
can be as thin as a postage stamp and yet be as powerful as an AA battery. Zhon
Lin Wang and his colleagues stacked together nanogenerators to
be able to produce at least 1 micro ampere of electricity. This amount is
enough to light up the screen of a calculator.
Their
goal is to produce a nanogenerator powerful enough to operate bigger electronic
gadgets like an iPod. If they are able to achieve this goal, their device can
change the future.
The
nanogenerator can be embedded in different products in order
to give them power with only small movements. For instance, a medical device
powered by a patient’s heartbeat can be inserted in his body to monitor his
health.
However,
Wang and other scientists at Georgia Tech havea long way to go in
order to make this a reality. Presently, they are still working on improving
its power output and finding a company that can produce the device
commercially.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Would you allow someone to embed a
machine in your body to protect your health? Why or why not?
·
What do you think are the risks of
embedding a machine inside the body?
Discussion B
·
What do you think are the advantages
of using very small and thin devices?
·
What do you think are its
disadvantages?
