Language Lab, Science Faculty, University of Nice - Sophia Antipolis

Electronic Paper

One of nanotechnology's dreams is to develop electronic paper that can update itself and fit in your pocket. Electronic newspapers, for example, would offer all the advantages of traditional newspapers: excellent resolution, high contrast displays that can be read in strong or weak light, and no need for external power. They would also be light and flexible enough to carry with you. Unlike newsprint, however, electronic newspapers would spare trees and wouldn't leave any messy ink on your fingers.

 

Now E-Ink, a company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has announced the invention of an ultra-thin, flexible computer display that can be rolled up into a narrow tube about one inch in diameter. Michael McCreary, the company’s vice president for research and development, believes that their new electronic paper (called “RadioPaper”) is going "to revolutionize the publishing industry."

 

A key component of RadioPaper is electronic ink, invented by physicist Joseph Jacobson and his research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab. This ink consists of tiny capsules full of particles of black and white pigment that is sensitive to electrical charges. With a negative charge, white particles move to a capsule's surface, and with a positive charge, black particles move up. In this way, the display can form words and pictures. With no charge, the pigment stays in place, so that text or graphics remain unchanged.

 

Part A. Answer each of the following questions about the text.

 

Which of the following statements about electronic paper is correct?
Electronic paper would need a constant source of energy
Electronic paper would be difficult to read in bright light
Electronic paper would be difficult to read indoors
None of the above

 

For a word to be formed on the electronic paper:
positive charges would be used to form the letters, and negative charges would be used to form the white areas outside of the letters
negative charges would be used to form the letters, and positive charges would be used to form the white areas outside of the letters
positive charges would be used to form the letters, and no charge would be used to form the white areas outside of the letters
negative charges would be used to form the letters, and no charge would be used to form the white areas outside of the letters

 

What would be the best title for this article?
Electronic ink is now called RadioPaper
Electronic ink would be bad for trees
Electronic paper would be messier than newspapers
Electronic papers moves closer to reality

 

 

Part B. Find the word (or phrase) in the text that corresponds to the following French terms.

 

 

léger

 

rester

 

salissant

 

étroit

 

porter

 

se déplacer

 

mince


épargner

 

 

faible

 

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