Iðnaðarmál - 01.01.1978, Side 7

'Gnglisli summary
VOL. 25 . NO. 1 . 1978
IÐNTÆKNISTOFNUN ISLANDS
Technological Institute of lceland
Skipholt 37 - Reykjavlk - lceland
Subscription: lcel. kr. 650/year
Long Term Plan on Research and Development p. 3
Leader by Sveinn Björnsson.
In the year 1972 the National Research Council of lceland
decided to prepare a longterm plan on research and devel-
opment in lceland. This plan covers the years 1976 to 1981.
The purpose of this longterm plan is mainly to promote
research and development in the interests of basic industries
by aligning R & D better to their needs and national interests.
This plan was prepared after a Norwegian model. Such plans
are now matter of routine in Norway. They are presented to
the Storting and become a part of the policy of the Govern-
ment.
In the near future it is planned to introduce the R & D plan
to the Althing and the public. Readers of Idnadarmál would
do well to pay attention.
Plastering - Market estimate p. 4
by Allan M. Mitchison.
The author tries to estimate the annual quantity of plaster
used in lceland, i. e. sand, cement and chalk and discusses
the possibility of preparing a pre-mixed plastering compound
in order to reduce and simplify the activity on the building
site. Mr. Mitchison also gives tables on total areal of buildings
construced in lceland annually in the years 1972 to 1976 and
estimated wall surface size of sapne, both inner and outer
walls.
Icelandic prototype of an electric car P. 6
A brief account of an lcelandic design-inventor, Mr. Steinn
Sigurðsson, who has made some international contributions
to the development of electric autos.
Development and Production of Electronic equip-
ment in lceland p. 7
By Páll Theodórsson, Managing Director of the Physical De-
partment of the Science Institute, University of lceland.
Mr. Theodórsson gives a broad summary of the develop-
ment of electronic science and practice since the last World
War, when the electronic valve had reached almost the full
development stage and the transistor started taking over.
The change-over started with the mini-lamps in the fifties
and the first generation of the transistors. In about 1960 the
printed circuits took over and in 1962 a new technique was
introduced with integrated circuits where transistors and
other components and connections were concentrated in
layers into small cubes about 2 mm each way.
In a few words one can describe the electronic evolution
thus, that one year later in 1963 about 10 components were
concentrated in the same space in a typical combined circuit,
and 5 years later in 1968 the number of components was over
300, in 1972 they were over 5000 and to-day there are over
150.000 components in the same space in the most com-
plicated units.
With this revolutionary evolution the prices also went down
steadily. In 1960 the price of one transistor was about kr.
500, five years later it was down to kr. 50 and after 1972 they
are even down to 0,10 krónur. The latest revolutionary unit is
the microprocessor a very efficient circuit that can control
very complicated processes.
From this evolutionary description it is evident that pre-
mises for development and construction of most electronic
gadgets have changed completely within the last decade.
Most electronic equipment has to be and will be redesigned
in the next decade, not only for research but also for use in
homes, offices, factories, farms and boats, for young and for
old.
We have so far imported almost all electronic equipment
used in lceland for an annual sum of some 3-5 milliards kron-
er. We should be able to participate in the construction of
different electronic apparatus that will be used in the coming
years and even export same.
Development and assembly of electronic instruments has
been practised for almost two decades at the Physical Depart-
ment of the University of lceland especially after 1966. Pro-
fessor Thorbjörn Sigurgeirsson designed some years ago new
instruments for magnetic measurements from an aeroplane.
The instruments record the results and this way it is possible
to transfer the data automatically with help from the Loran
System stations. More then 40 such automatic recorders for
earthquake measurements have been made and installed in
lceland and soon we will have a system where recordings
from a data writing machine will give us all information on
where the earthquake originated, at what depth and how
strong it was. I have here described the activities of the
Physical Department of the University only, but the lcelandic
P&T and some private companies are also active in this field.
I can just mention that some years ago the lcelandic company
Idntækni Ltd. produced some 500 taxi-meters for lcelandic
taxi-cabs and they were produced at the lceland Federation
of the Flandicapped. This shows what can be done in this
country.
This is quite a challenge for lcelandic initative. Electronic
industry is a clean industry and it is not expensive in the
start. One 100 tons fishing vessel costs about 300 Million kr.
For half this amount a substantive enterprise in this field can
be established. We can and will be active in this business and
should start at once.
An lcelandic fishing reel winch on Nordic ind.
design exhibit p. 11
On the recent occasion of the 10Oth anniversary of the
Museum of Industrial Art in Oslo an lcelandic fishing reel
winch found its way to a Nordic desing exhibit on electronics,
transport equipment and machinery.
Design - an underrated factor in industrial
development p. 12
by Stefán Snæbjörnsson, ind. designer.
The author points out that industrial design and product
development have not been given sufficient attention in indus-
trial development endeavours during this decade. Mr. Snæ-