Technology
Made Simple
Published on 12. May 2014
352 pages
978-1-4831-8321-3 (ISBN)
Description
Technology: Made Simple focuses on the history, processes, methodologies, principles, and advancements in technology. The publication first elaborates on the history and development of technology and how it extends the muscles, senses, communication, and control of man. Discussions focus on amplifiers, control and human operators, stability, sense of touch, hearing, and vision, basics of a measurement system, rotary and linear engines, transmission of power, empiricism and science, and conservation of energy. The text then takes a look at how technology extends the capabilities of the brain, models and optimization, and the methodology of technology. Topics include implementation of the solution, search for alternative solutions, operational research techniques for finding the optimum, optimization using mathematical models, symbolic, analogue, and iconic models, electronic computer, and data representation in the computer. The manuscript ponders on the relationship of technology and society, structure and operation in the industries, and technology in action, including transportation, robots, company organization, manufacturing industry, men and machines, and appropriate technology. The text is a valuable source of information for students and researchers wanting to dig deeper into the developments in technology.
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Content
Foreword1 The History and Development of Technology 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Methodology 1.3 Empiricism and Science 1.4 Energy Machines Animal Power Wind and Water The Steam Engine 1.5 Science and Technology 1.6 The Conservation of Energy The Subtlety of Heat Entropy 1.7 Materials The Stone Age Copper Iron Science of Materials 1.8 Technology Today 1.9 Concluding Remarks 1.10 Exercises 1.11 Further Reading2 Technology Extends Man's Muscles 2.1 Man's Limitations 2.2 Machines The Lever The Wheel and Axle The Pulley The Inclined Plane The Screw 2.3 Engines 2.4 Piston Engines The Four-Stroke Cycle The Two-Stroke Cycle The Diesel Engine 2.5 Rotary Engines The Windmill The Waterwheel Water Turbines Steam Turbines Gas Turbines 2.6 Linear Engines 2.7 Transmission of Power Mechanical Transmission Hydrostatic Transmission Electrical Transmission 2.8 Exercises 2.9 Further Reading3 Technology Extends Man's Senses and Communication 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Six Senses Receptors The Brain 3.3 The Sense of Touch The Cutaneous Sense The Kinesthetic Sense 3.4 The Sense of Hearing 3.5 The Sense of Vision 3.6 The Senses of Taste and Smell 3.7 Why we Need Measuring Instruments 3.8 The Basics of a Measurement System Basic Units Derived Units 3.9 Measurement Systems Length and Linear Displacement Linear and Angular Velocity Mass and Force Time Temperature 3.10 Errors and Accuracy Accountable Errors Unaccountable Errors 3.11 Communication Telecommunications 3.12 Noise and Information 3.13 Exercises 3.14 Further Reading4 Technology Extends Man's Control 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Amplifiers 4.3 On-Off Amplifiers 4.4 Continuous Amplifiers A Mechanical Amplifier Electronic Amplifiers Fluid Amplifiers 4.5 Open Loop Control 4.6 Closed Loop Control 4.7 Control and Human Operators 4.8 Automatic Control Servomechanisms Early Examples of Automatic Control 4.9 Quantitative Analysis of Control Systems 4.10 Modes of Control 4.11 Stability Effect of Lags Instability Effect of Dead Time 4.12 Controlling the Order of Events 4.13 Exercises 4.14 Further Reading5 Technology Extends Man's Brain 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Historical Survey 5.3 Mechanical Calculators 5.4 The Electronic Computer 5.5 What is a Computer? 5.6 Data Representation in the Computer 5.7 Calculating in Binary 5.8 The Computer's Basic Operations Logic Gates Addition Using Logic Gates 5.9 Control 5.10 The Store Magnetic Core The Flip-Flop RAM and ROM 5.11 How to Tell the Computer What to Do Machine Code Assembly Code High-Level Languages 5.12 Programming Principles Basic Arithmetic 5.13 Program Development Flow Charts 5.14 Peripherals Input Devices Output Devices Backing Store 5.15 Exercises 5.16 Further Reading6 Models and Optimisation: Tools for the Technologist 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Iconic Models 6.3 Symbolic Models Symbolism of Mental Images Symbolism of Written Language Symbolism of Mathematical Notation 6.4 Analogue Models 6.5 Computers in Simulation Analogue Computers Digital Computers in Simulation 6.6 Empirical Models 6.7 Models with Feedback 6.8 Optimisation 6.
