{ Technology Fundamentals The Tech of Engineering

 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?

 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

 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

Think of how technology has changed our society in your lifetime. Discuss.

 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

 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)

 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

 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

 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

 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

 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)

 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