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{ Technology Fundamentals The Tech of Engineering
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Technology is the processes and knowledge that people use to extend human abilities and satisfy our needs and wants. Tech can be classified into 6 broad areas: Communication Energy and Power Manufacturing Construction Transportation Bio-related Studying tech can help you understand the importance of contemporary topics. Example: People disagree about how genetic engineering should be used. Studying it will help inform your own opinions. Other topics become more relevant when you see the connections. What is Tech and Why Study It?
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Different societies inhabit different parts of the world and face different challenges. Different Technology is developed to meet those challenges. Example: the Egyptians developed tech to build grand structures while the Greeks and Romans developed tech to build fast ships. Imagine the different tech needed for a society living in the arctic circle compared to one living in the Gobi Desert. Different Society, Different Tech
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Just as different societies can influence the technology they produce, a technology can change society. Consider the waterwheel. The waterwheel was developed to help process grain into flour. People no longer had to do it by hand and so had more time to do other things. People also figured that it would be easier if only one person built a waterwheel and everyone else paid him for the service of processing their grain. In this way the entire economy of the community was changed by technology. New Tech = Evolving Society
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Think of how technology has changed our society in your lifetime. Discuss.
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We don’t use waterwheels to grind our grain anymore. That particular tech has changed. New problems arise and new tech is created (invention) or old tech is altered (innovation). The waterwheel was eventually adapted to run large saws. The modern turbine runs on the same principles that governed the waterwheel. The Evolution of Invention
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Some tech is developed with a goal in mind. Some tech can be the unexpected result of research done for completely different reasons. Economics also plays a role: Capitalism is driven by competition. Example: car companies come out with inventions or innovations to satisfy existing or attract new customers. Public opinion can also influence tech. People may demand innovation for the sake of safety. Concern over high gas prices inspired the invention of hybrid cars. Cloning technology has received backlash from the public. The Evolution of Invention (cont)
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Every technology can be thought of a system. By breaking a tech up, you can analyze each part individually. Tech System: Input Process Output Feedback Subsystems Technology Systems
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The benefits of a technology are its desirable impacts. Sometimes, technology can create undesirable impacts. Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are used to create heat and energy (positive impacts). Somewhat recently it was discovered that they also caused air pollution, acid rain, excess heat, and an elevation in greenhouse gasses. Past technologies took many years to come into effect. Because of new communication technologies, today’s tech can spread far and fast. What are the pros and cons of this? Impacts and Effects of Technology
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As seen, a technology can solve one problem and create another. Studying the effects of technology is called technology assessment. Almost all new technologies contain some negative side-effects. The question is whether they are bearable when compared to the benefits. Technology Assessment
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There are many problems that we have today that engineers are still struggling with. Population Growth: Although population is expected to level off, large populations put pressure on the environment and resources. Energy: New, sustainable energy sources must be found or harnessed. Pollution: Air and water pollution have long been a concern. Food Production: Food is plentiful for us, but better techniques need to be developed in the production, storage, and shipping of food. Problems Yet to be Solved
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Waste Disposal: 1,600 pounds of trash are produced per person per year in the US. Transportation: Congested roads and air pollution only get worse as our population grows. Infrastructure: Buildings and structures are aging and deteriorating. Medical Care: New viruses and resistant bacteria are always emerging. Problems (cont)
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1. Do the problem set on moodle “Homework 1” 2. Choose an appliance in your home. Assess the appliance for cost, safety, economic and environmental impacts. Assessment should be about 2 paragraphs in length. Homework
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