This guide to information science and technology presents a clear, concise, and approachable account of the fundamental issues, with appropriate historical and theoretical background. Topics covered include information needs, seeking, and use; representation and organization of infomation; computers and networks; structured information systems; information systems applications; users' perpectives in information systems; social informatics; communication using information technologies; information policy; and the information professions.

The silicon age that led the computer revolution has significantly changed the world. The next 30 years will see the incorporation of new types of functionality onto the chip-structures that will enable the chip to reason, to sense, to act and to communicate. Micromachining technologies offer a wide range of possibilities for active and passive devices. Recent developments have produced sensors, actuators and optical systems. Many of these technologies are based on surface micromachining, which has evolved from silicon integrated circuit technology. This book is written by experts in the field. It contains useful details in design and processing and can be utilized as a reference book or as a textbook.