1. Innovative Applications of Technology in Engineering - Part 1
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2. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved
Bell Work Activity
Directions: Please take out a
sheet of paper and answer the following questions.
How would I find directions to San Angelo, Texas without using GPS or the internet?
I’m moving to Tyler, Texas, how can I find a list of the elementary schools near my new home? (without using the internet)
What would be the results in your city if sanitation workers went on strike for 1 week?
Notes: Use this activity during the “Bell Work” period of time.
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3. Warm-Up Activity Engineering and Technology Terms (and definitions)
A. There are several important terms and
definitions students need to know.
B. Students will now complete the definitions handout on the History & Development of Technology Innovative Applications of Technology in Engineering - Part 1; Students may work in groups.
Notes: Definitions make a great warm-up activity. Have the students work in groups and complete the Definitions Handout.
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4. Our Dependence on Technology Innovations
The growth of our global population has made the expansion of technology a necessity, to sustain life as we know it.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution (1750), most of the global population operated independently in an agrarian (farming) society.
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5. Our Dependence on Technology Innovations
The Industrial Revolution brought about the movement of large segments of people from the rural areas to the cities in search of employment.
This brought about dramatic changes to the structure of society and also drove (and continues to drive) major technological innovations.
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6. Modern innovations in the major technology disciplines
We will discuss how modern innovative engineering ideas and techniques have impacted the major technology disciplines.
A. Communication Technology:
Printing and graphic processes: Gravure printing, Photographic printing and Digital printing
Telecommunication processes: Bandwidth improvement with Fiber optic cables, Wireless telecommunications, Satellite telecommunications
Audio/Video technologies: Satellite radio, High definition television, Web page design, Video game design
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7. Modern innovations in the major technology disciplines (continued)
B. Energy and Power Technology:
• *Renewable Resources: Wind, Hydro (water), Solar, Biofuels (produced from plants), Geothermal (internal earth heat)
• Non-Renewable Resources: Fossil Fuels (Natural gas, Coal, Petroleum), Nuclear Power (Uranium)
• Unlimited Resources: (*All renewable resources can be considered unlimited resources ) i
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8. Modern innovations in the major technology disciplines (continued)
C. Biotechnology:
• Agricultural processes: Genetically modified plants and animals, Biosynthesis (Biologically created chemicals)
• Medical processes: Electronic implants, Laser surgery, Genetic engineering
• Waste management: Disposal methods, Biological reprocessing, Waste minimization concepts i
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9. Modern innovations in the major technology disciplines (continued)
D. Construction Technology:
•Construction planning: Residential Construction (apartments, condos, houses), Commercial/Industrial Construction
(stores, churches, skyscrapers), Civil Construction (roads, schools, hospitals)
• Design and management processes: Construction Materials,
Safety Factors (fire, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.)
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10. Modern innovations in the major technology disciplines (continued)
E. Transportation Technology:
• Engines, Motors and Transportation Systems: Engine fuel Efficiency and Emissions; Fuel Cells, Hybrid Vehicles,
Electric Locomotives; Intermodal Transportation (two or
more methods); Efficiency of Container Ships
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11. Modern innovations in the major technology disciplines (continued)
F. Manufacturing Technology:
• *Manufacturing process improvement concepts:
■ Just-in-Time Manufacturing
■ Time and Motion Studies
■ Scientific Management
■ Research and Development processes
■ Computer Aided Design (CAD)
*Notes: (Research References)
1.Mikel Harry, Ph. D and Richard Schroeder, Six Sigma, (New York, New York, Double Day Books, ), 109
2. James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones, Lean Thinking, (New York, New York, Simon & Schuster Books, 1996), 219
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12. How have technological solutions impacted the manufacturing process?
Positive impact of automation on manufacturing efficiency and cost reduction
●Having the capacity to produce large volumes of product at lower cost than handcraft workers
●Programmable robotic processes allow for greater standardization and higher product quality
B. Negative impact of automation on human labor
●Automation allows non-stop production with fewer people; Production not impacted by human limitations (illness, injury, fatigue)
●Automated processes have made many manual tasks obsolete and does not carry the additional cost of human labor (medical benefits, labor negotiations, training, etc.)
C. Increased requirements for a more skilled and educated workforce
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13. Risks and Benefits of engineering activities
Benefit 1: Efficient manufacturing processes (see notes)
B. Benefit 2: Safe, efficient transportation and construction systems (see notes)
Notes:
A. Benefit 1: Efficient manufacturing processes
●Incorporating scientific management concepts to analyze and improve the workflow in the manufacturing process
●Time and motion studies helped reduce production times by studying and reorganizing work tasks so workers can complete them with fewer movements in less time
B. Benefit 2: Safe, efficient transportation and construction systems
●Improvements in power plant technology (internal combustion engines, electric motors and gas turbine engines) have drastically increased our ability to produce powerful and efficient equipment for personal and industrial use. (Automobiles, ATVs, Satellites, Magnetic Levitation Trains, Electrical/Nuclear Power Plants)
●The development of new, efficient construction techniques and building materials like drywall, prefabricated lumber, asphalt, concrete and steel have revolutionized building construction and have resulted in high speed interstate highways, energy efficient homes, skyscrapers, suspension and cantilever bridges.
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14. Risks and Benefits of engineering activities (continued)
Notes:
C. Benefit 3: Safe, efficient food production, water distribution and waste management
● Growth in the field of Biotechnology has greatly improved our capacity in agriculture and livestock production. Genetic engineering has given us the ability to produce crops and livestock that grow faster and are resistant to more diseases.
● Rapid world population growth has increased the demand for fresh water. Water treatment systems have been developed to meet the demand. Desalinization processes are being used to convert sea water to freshwater. Wastewater treatment plants use micro-filtration processes to remove contaminates from waste water.
C. Benefit 3: Safe, efficient food production, water distribution and waste management
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15. Risks and Benefits of engineering activities (continued)
D. Risks: Increased energy consumption and waste creation
● Energy consumption and pollution since the Industrial Revolution has increased exponentially each decade. The growth of industrialization in third world countries has compounded the problem. We are in danger of consuming and or contaminating major portions of our non-renewable resources.
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16. The Environmental Impact of the engineering process
Managing environment accidents, pollution and natural resource consumption (mining, petroleum and natural gas production, etc. )
B. *The impact of a mobile population
C. Positive management of growth within the key technology disciplines to reduce the impact on our environment
Notes:
*Notes: (Research References)
Nicolas Lemann, The Promised Land. (New York, New York, Vintage Books, 1991), 3 – 4
A. ●Natural resources are now collected, transported, stored and consumed at unprecedented levels. This increases the chances of serious environmental accidents like the recent British Petroleum Deep Water Horizon oil spill in 2010.
●Increased Government and Corporate regulation and oversight will be necessary to ensure these incidents are prevented and/or managed properly.
B. ●In the past 100 years, employment has been a key factor in the migration of populations in the US. The meatpacking industry in Chicago, IL from
1880 – 1970 fueled the migration of people to the city from southern states. The auto industries in Detroit, MI, and the steel industry in Gary, IN, are other
examples.
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17. The Environmental Impact of the engineering process (continued)
D. The impact of a mobile population
● The relocation of the auto industry. (see notes)
●The impact on the communities left behind. (see notes)
E. Positive management of growth within the key technology disciplines to reduce the impact on our environment
● Long term, environmental planning will be necessary if future generations are to prevent this cycle from re-occurring .
Notes:
D. ●In the past 25 years, Japanese and German automakers have located their manufacturing facilities in southern states like Texas, Mississippi and Alabama - driving a population migration to these locations from around the globe.
●Historically the job opportunities are short lived (less than 50 years); and the once thriving economic communities are often devastated when the plants shut down. Consider the economic plight of Detroit, Michigan and Gary, Indiana today in the wake of massive auto and steel plant closures. The environment is now riddled with scores of abandoned buildings, economic stagnation and crime ridden neighborhoods.
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