The Dynamics of Scientific and Technological Changes

Topics: Models for the development of science, The Social context of science, Technological change, and Generation of innovations

 

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Development of Science

The growth of science in the last

few centuries is intimately bound

to the specific socio-economic development of the European cultural region.

Levels of Development

Long-range historical level

Deep historical changes affected the

direction of science

Middle level of economic and

political forces

Immediate social & political forces

affected the direction of science

Micro social community of scientists

Science was developed

Technological change refers to the process by which new products and processes are generated. When new technologies involve a new way of making existing products, the technological change is called process innovation. When they include entirely new products, the change is referred to as product innovation.The process of technological change can be seen to have three stages: invention, development, and diffusion. The invention stage involves the conception of a new idea. The idea might be about a new product or about a better technique for making existing products. 

The final stage of the innovation process involves making it accessible to most users through market penetration. The benefits of an innovation, both to inventors and to society, are maximized only when the innovation is efficiently diffused. Some innovations are easy to adopt while others involve effort on the part of adopters. For instance, one must learn how to use a computer, a new type of software, or a new type of airplane. Thus, the diffusion of technologies takes time. 

environmental policy interventions themselves create new constraints and
incentives that affect the process of technological change. These induced effects of
environmental policy on technology may have substantial implications for the normative analysis
of policy decisions.

Narrative/ Thing I learned

These topics focused on the changes happening in our society because of advanced technologies. These technologies has imparted human lives in terms of socialization and transactions. These innovation of technologies or the application of these technologies has wide array benefits for us. Our lifestyle nowadays, are mostly effected by these technologies which means that the social effect of science is now visible in the way we live.

Source;

"Social Context of Science" presentation downloaded from the net

Technological Change and the Environment
Adam B. Jaffe, Richard G. Newell, and Robert N. Stavins∗

3. SOCIETAL ASPECTS AND IMPACTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Topics: Scientific Research Community, Complexity of Engineering,Design and Invention and Scientists.

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Let us define first sociology.Sociology is the study of society and the interaction of people within the society. These topics helps us know how science affects the society.

Scientific Research Community is made up of those people who has career in science.They are defined as network,field and profession.

Engineering begins with a desire and their plans would make this desire to become visible. Engineers needs to be equipped with vast ideas and information in order for them to create effective plans. There are components of engineering and these are:

1. Engineers was driven most in industrial works and process.
2. Engineering was divided into sub fields. Such as: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering etc.
3. Engineers has their intellectual disciplines and entity of responsibilities they served.
4. Engineering was known for their products.

Archer wrote that:

“Design is that area of human experience, skill and knowledge which is concerned with man’s ability to mold his environment to suit his material and spiritual needs.” 

During the inter-war years the Bauhaus movement attempted to knit the design process into a coherent whole in that students were encouraged to study design in a way that was both total and detailed. 

An invention is a creation of the mind, and both the process to arrive at this creation or the capability to create it are referred to as invention. An invention is also supposed to be new, although it is unspecified for whom. An invention is a novel device, material, or technique. 

We infer from the above that there are three phases that play a role in the colloquial meaning of invention:

1.

The capability or skill to invent.

2.

The act or process of invention.

3.

The outcome of this process.

 Diagram of invention:

Concept-----Invention-----Innovation

A list of the top 10 scientists of all time.

1. Sir Isaac Newton. Discovered laws of gravity and motion. Made investigations into a whole range of subjects maths, optics, physics, and astronomy
2. Louis Pasteur. Probably saved more lives than any other person. Contributed greatly towards the advancement of medical sciences developing cures for rabies, anthrax and other infectious diseases. Also enabled process of pasteurization to make milk safer to drink
3. Galileo. Using first modern telescope, Galileo revolutionized our understanding of the world successfully proving the earth revolved around the sun and not the other way around.
4. Marie Curie. Discovered radiation and helped to apply it in the field of X ray.
5. Albert Einstein. Revolutionized physics with his theories of quantum physics. Lay framework for atomic energy.
6. Charles Darwin. Developed theory of evolution against a backdrop of disbelief and skepticism. Collected evidence over 20 years.
7. Emil Fisher - The outstanding chemist of the modern age. Synthesized many products to show their constituent parts.
8. Nikola Tesla - Work on electro-magnetism and AC current. Credited with many patents from electricity to radio transmission
9. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose. Great Bengali scientist who made important contributions in the field of radio and microwave technology. Also showed how sap in a plant rose.
10. Aristotle. Great early Greek scientist who made many researches in the natural sciences including botany, zoology, physics, astronomy, chemistry, and meteorology, geometry

Narrative/ Things I learned

I am  the reporter for the first three topics. I find it hard to researched for these topics and relate it with my course because of the topics about engineering. I was glad that by studying these topics I learned deeper about the nature of science and the effects of engineering field in terms of design and invention. In the diagram of invention, I learned that every big things comes from small things which means that every invention comes from a vast concept. From the idea or concept it becomes visible which resulted for a new invention and the application of the new invented material is what we called innovation.

My group mate reported the last topic about scientists and their influences. Its a nice thing to know that these scientists contributed major ideas that affects the vast development in science in their different fields.

We prepared activities and we present our report in a power point presentation manner. Although there are many errors occurred at least we've done our job well.

 Source/s;

" Complexity of Engineering" (book) by: James Adams 

wikipedia.com

 

Advances in Construction, Transportation and Space Technologies

Preview:

Construction usually is done or coordinated by general contractors, who specialize in one type of construction such as residential or commercial building. They take full responsibility for the complete job, except for specified portions of the work that may be omitted from the general contract. Although general contractors may do a portion of the work with their own crews, they often subcontract most of the work to heavy construction or specialty trade contractors.

Recent developments. The construction industry has been strongly affected by the credit crisis and recession that began in December 2007. Housing prices fell and foreclosures of homes rose sharply, particularly in overbuilt areas of the country. New housing construction, while still ongoing, dropped significantly. The recession is expected to impact other types of construction as well. Retailers are refraining from building new stores and State and local governments are reducing spending. However, as energy costs have risen, some companies are finding it necessary to build or renovate buildings that are not energy efficient. "Green construction" is an area that is increasingly popular and involves making buildings as environmentally friendly and energy efficient as possible by using more recyclable and earth-friendly products. 

 Transportation Technologies -

Conventional transportation technologies usually involve the use of fossil fuels for vehicle propulsion. Rising fuel prices are causing mainstream awareness and interest in alternative transportation technology. Many automobile companies are working hard to develop more sustainable vehicles in order to combat fuel costs and the harmful environmental effects of petroleum as a fuel source. This section has articles about the development of sustainable transportation alternatives. Expertise at the Transportation Facility is focused on testing and analysis of vehicle and component technologies aimed at reducing petroleum use. In addition, INL studies the effect of advanced technology on maintenance and engine life, and the economic impact of technology introduction in a controlled fleet environment. 

Space technology application involves work dealing with the use of radar, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies as applied to agricultural, geographical and environmental studies. Satellite-based and space technologies, such as remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), are seeing applications in many aspects of daily life such as in agriculture, medicine, and education. Space technologies are also strategically employed in urban planning, environmental management, disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation.

Narrative/ Things I learned

From the reports, I can site the difference of structure of construction in years ago and the present time. Most of the construction were made up of woods and steels but nowadays they are using advanced materials that strengthens the structure of a specific building. In the means of transportation, it is obvious, a vast changes occurred from horse carriages to trains and now high speed automobiles. Satellites, space technology aspect< is still in use for collecting radars from outer space but then most satellites nowadays were now advanced because of its modern components.

Source: 

Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition

Space Technology Applications

Article Index
Space Technology Applications
Page 2