Nanotechnology is set to drive a revolution in "intelligent avionics" that will help cut aircraft fuel burn and improve safety. A technology forecast by Price-waterhouseCoopers envisages wireless sensors becoming so small that aerospace engineers of the 2020s will be able to embed layers of them in or on components or structures. So-called "smart dust" promises to revolutionise avionics, by communicating wirelessly from any part of an aircraft to back up avionics systems. PwC emerging technologies director Dr David Jacobson says: "The layered backup will reduce the chances of sensor or software failures leading to a shutdown of flight-critical function, without adding weight."
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