Abstract The paper explores the world-wide debate about genetically modified (GM) crops and explains the advantages and disadvantages of these products. The paper looks at the regulation of genetically modified foods in the United States and Europe and how GM food growth is drawing a political backlash. The paper discusses the powerful opposition of Greenpeace to genetic engineering. The paper concludes that as long as environmental organizations generate fear and doubt among politicians, retailers and the public, it will be almost impossible for the technology to break through, despite its benefits.
Outline:
Introduction
The Science of Genetic Engineering
Genetically Modified Foods and Hunger
Genetically Modified Foods and Biodiversity
Research for the Common Good
Growth of Genetic Engineering
Greenpeace
Conclusion
From the Paper "The world wide debate about genetically modified crops has been a heated one, pitting biological progress against environmental conservation. The genetically modified foods issue involves complex factors including politics, international trade, and social and cultural norms. Advocates of GM foods say that the increased yields and decreased price of using genetically modified seeds can help to alleviate world hunger. However, progress is being hampered by over cautious environmentalists and consumers, mostly in Europe and Japan. These wealthy areas of the world can afford to take precautions that the starving people of the world cannot, but the preference of consumers in wealthy countries of whole, natural, organic foods is influencing impoverished countries."
Abstract This is a full-length thesis paper that addresses how the invention and application of the steam engine created sweeping social changes in first Europe, and later the entire world. The paper addresses the thesis statement that ?the introduction of the steam engine brought about significant and progressive changes both in industry and in society, the impact of which can still be felt to this day."
Tags: industrial, revolution, turning, point, advance, technology
Abstract This paper takes a look at the engineering toy, the Erector Set. It explains the advantages to a child's development of a creative toy that captures the imagination. It looks at Froebal blocks and the Meccano Set, which ultimately lead to the development of the Erector Set.
From the Paper "In the search to occupy time and provide amusement, parents go out of their way to buy children the toys they prefer. Toys serve many purposes for children: they give knowledge, they entertain, they instruct, and most importantly certain toys develop analyzing and creative skills that resurface throughout life. With the change towards mechanization that took place in society during the early twentieth century it is logical that a new type of toy was invented to fit the public's desire. With the advent of the assembly line, interchangeable parts and the new concept of efficiency people of this era accepted new ideas, until these ideas were undeniably proven wrong. The freedom to construct without limits obtained by children playing with such toys as the Erector Set, created by A.C. Gilbert in 1913, is directly related to the high regard that engineers were viewed and to everyone's wish to become engineers during that era."
Abstract This is a paper about bridges. The author examines their function, history and design. Much attention is paid to different types of bridges such as arch, suspension, move-able bridges and floating bridges.
From the Paper " A bridge is a structure designed to provide continuous passage over an obstacle. Bridges commonly carry highways, railroad lines, and pathways over obstacles such as waterways, deep valleys, and other transportation routes. Bridges may also carry water, support power cables, or house telecommunications lines.(1)
Some special types of bridges are defined according to function. An overpass allows one transportation route, such as a highway or railroad line, to cross over another without traffic interference between the two routes. The overpass elevates one route to provide clearance to traffic on the lower level while still letting the higher level flow easily. An aqueduct transports water. Aqueducts have historically been used to supply drinking water to densely populated areas. A viaduct carries a railroad or highway over a land obstruction, such as a valley.(1)"
A highly technical paper that reviews literature on the operating procedure and magnetic properties of electrochemical deposited Co-based magnetic films.
2,057 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 13 sources, 2001, $ 64.95
Abstract This report reviews literature on the operating procedure and magnetic properties of electrochemical deposited Co-based magnetic films. The significance and limitations of electrochemical deposit Co-based magnetic films are analyzed.
From the Paper " Hard magnetic materials have been a focus of interest in electrical engineering for years because of their applications as media in recording and potential applications in fabricating magnetic MEMS devices due to the strong magnetic field produced by them in absence of applying magnetic field1.2. Besides the hard ferrites and Nd2Fe14 B1, Cobalt or Cobalt-RE based magnets are mostly used hard magnetic materials because of their good magnetic properties as well as their excellent mechanical properties1. Generally speaking, Cobalt based hard magnetic materials are fabricated by PVD methods such as RF sputtering or evaporation. However, it is likely to be time and money consuming to apply these procedures, especially for a relatively thick film, say, 20mm or more, is needed. Furthermore, the fabrication of the film-type magnets on silicon wafers with CMOS integrated circuits has been considered as one of the most extremely difficult tasks due to the fabrication processing incompatibility between them."
Abstract This paper shows that one of the main concerns in Chemical Mechanical Planarization processing is the material removal rate (MRR). The paper also critically reviews the existing MRR models of CMP and compares the assumptions, application aspects and limitations of the two groups? models.
From the Paper "Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) is the process of surface smoothing and planing by a combination of mechanical action and chemical dissolution. This process is achieved by rubbing a work piece against a polishing pad under load in the presence of chemically active slurry containing an abrasive. CMP is one of the most effective planarization technologies for achieving smaller feature size for the integrated circuit (IC) industry. "
Two case-studies of relatively simple autonomous robot projects followed by a discussion of embodied cognition, emergent behaviour and how these concepts apply to the above robots.
1,595 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 52.95
Abstract This document is comprised of case studies of two autonomous robot projects, namely Frank Scott's Hexapod Robots, and MIT's Robot Ant Colony. Each case study describes the behaviour each robot exhibits, and technical information on how this behaviour is executed including mechanical parts, digital circuitry and programming techniques. The case studies are followed by a discussion of embodied cognition, and how the above robots' actions can be explained in terms of embodied cognition. It also discusses emergent phenomenon, both in nature and artificially intelligent robots.
From the Paper "The Rodney series of robots refers to a group of three six-legged autonomous robots whose design is based upon Rodney Brooks' subsumption architecture. Rodney 3 is the most refined and recent robot. It supersedes both Rodney 1 & 2 and for this reason will be the focus of this summary. Rodney 3 is designed to operate in an environment featuring a slightly uneven surface that may be interrupted by many small obstacles and an occasional large obstacle, e.g. a pebbled track with the odd large stone or similar obstacle. The robot's task is to climb over the smaller objects, and to avoid objects that are too large to climb over. To achieve the climbing action, all six legs must be able to operate independently of each other. The robot travels forward in a straight line until a large object is encountered. To avoid the object, it must reverse a few steps, shift its direction and continue its forward motion."
Abstract This paper discusses recent developments and arguments in the human cell cloning debate. The author examines the anti-cloning argument, and then shifts to pro-cloning. The paper includes sources such as the Surgeon General and Dr. Jose Cibelli, the first person to clone a human embryo, as well as good sources for the cloning opposition. The paper also includes many recent developments in the cloning process.
From the Paper "Human cloning is one of those issues where there are benefits and risks, but the benefits are prominent enough that the risks pale in comparison. There is no argument that cloning is a failsafe technology that cannot be manipulated to facilitate immoral uses, but most things can be used immorally in the wrong hands. In the right hands, human cloning technology can benefit the world and society in unprecedented ways. Cloning is an unexplored territory that must be searched and cultivated, because astounding advances are bound to be produced. As for what God would say about humans cloning humans, Robert Winston put it best when he said, '?Part of that divine spark is our intelligence and our inventiveness and that was actually a God-given tool, and that to fail to use that actually is a mistake."
Abstract This paper presents sociological theories of what a community is and asks the question whether this can be artificially created using the Del Webb planned community in Arizona as a basis for the discussion.
From the Paper Del Webb is the nation's leading builder of active and adult lifestyle communities for people aged 55 and older. They are also the largest builder of single-family homes in the United States. So, when they built their master-planned community "Anthem" about 35 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona in the middle of the Southwestern desert, it would certainly follow that this community that itself sprung up out of nowhere in the middle of the desert like the fabled "Phoenix" would be a success.
Abstract This paper discusses the Comet jet airplane accidents of the early 1950?s, and the profound effects they had on certain aspects of our society. The author examines the various effects a technological disaster has on our lives and the world around us, as well as how our views towards the technology may be altered after a technological disaster.
From the Paper:
"By examining the jet aircraft industry, but in particular the British jet aircraft industry after the accidents, we are able to gain insight into what people's conceptions were, and why certain events unfolded as they did. With any technological disaster, trust in the product is often lost very quickly, and various actions are often taken to try and restore this trust. By examining these actions we can better understand how many people felt about the technology after the disasters. Lastly, not all technological disasters have purely negative connotations. Much can be learned from technological accidents that eventually lead to important improvements in the technology. By examining one major technological failure and its various effects we can gain a better understanding of how we are affected by technology as well as how our views towards the technology may be altered."
Tags: airplane, disaster, effects, history, social, technology, aircraft, industry
The history of rocketry from concept to modern day space travel. Researches the rocket engine's international development and significance in the space program.
2,940 words (approx. 11.8 pages), 4 sources, 1999, $ 86.95
Abstract This research paper investigates the science of rocketry starting with the original concept, up to the present day space program. Developments in Germany, Russia, and the U.S. are detailed, along with the ways in which rockets have been used both on earth and in space. Most of the paper will deal with the development of the rocket engine up to its present day standards and its history in space flight.
From the paper:
"The notion of flying has fascinated people since the beginning of history, and most likely since the beginning of time. With the development of astronomy, man shifted that dream to another realm: outer space. Robert H. Goddard, a physicist of the early 1900?s, once told a story in his autobiography of how he was inspired to follow the dream of space flight. He recalls once when he was 17 years old; he was trimming branches in a cherry tree, and looked out at the sprawling country landscape. He imagined how fabulous it would be to soar upward into space, watching the earth receding below him. ?I was a different boy when I descended the ladder,? Goddard states, ?Life had now a purpose for me.?
Abstract This paper examines technological disasters in the airline industry. In particular it looks at the British jet aircraft industry after the accidents. It allows us to gain insight into what people's conceptions were, and why certain events unfolded as they did. It shows us how people can learn from technological disasters, and even though they seem catastrophic at the time, they give us the necessary tools to insure that such disasters do not happen again.
From the paper:
"The Comet planes, operated predominantly by BOAC had established Britain as both a successful pioneer and leader in civil jet aviation. However, several American companies, including Boeing, were in hot pursuit of de-Havilland, fighting for their share of the new civil jet market. ?The Comets symbolized to Britons their nation's pre-eminence in jet aviation,? 5 and so the accidents came as a devastating blow, both in the short and long term. In the aftermath of the accidents, all Comets were grounded pending investigation, causing huge problems and losses."
Abstract This paper takes a detailed look at the life of an engineer, and the field of engineering. It looks at the history of engineering, beginning with the pyramids. The role of the engineer in today's society is examined, along with the process involved in becoming an professional engineer. The author also discusses career opportunities, and the different fields of engineering that exist.
From the Paper "In college, there is a broad range of classes that have to be taken; this leads to taking more than four years to complete college. College education is based around mathematics and science. Engineers also have to take some liberal arts classes, humanities classes, environmental, computers, and some shop classes (VGM's C.E. 101). The first two years of college are usually spent taking general classes, the last two or three years are spent specializing, if they choose to specialize (Western Michigan University). There are more than twenty-five different types of engineering (Dell 195-198). There is no need to specialize into a certain field if it is not desired. A few of the different kinds of engineering are: architectural, biomedical, civil, electrical, and mechanical (Top 300 Jobs 76-79)."
Abstract This paper discusses the workings of fission reactor and focuses on the safety concerns connected with the production of nuclear power. The author looks at how most countries use nuclear energy for the development of military weapons though in some places it is also being used for peaceful purposes.
From the Paper "Nuclear power plants are used in for the production of nuclear fission power, which is used later in the production of military weapons. For the production of power, fission reactor is used which contains fissionable elements which when bombarded with neutrons produce some other elements including barium, plutonium and uranium. All these are later used in the creation of military weapons and some other similar products. Though the governments of the world in possession of nuclear power come under attack often, it is nonetheless considered a symbol of power over other nations. A fission reactor is used to produce a chain reaction with the help of uranium and plutonium and special devices are used for the purpose of regulating the rate of fission."
Abstract This paper discusses the book by Gregory Pence about human cloning. The author analyzes his work and argues that the writer stresses the importance of human cloning and criticizes all those who take an opposing stand. A discussion of the scientific background on the subject and an argument for the scientific breakthrough.
From the Paper ?Who's Afraid of Human Cloning by Gregory Pence discusses human cloning and dispels myths. The author takes the state that human cloning is perfectly fine. In fact he states that most arguments against human cloning are unsound. He calls people who say that cloning is repulsive ignorant. ?The reason why this point is important is that so much of the condemnation of human cloning is not based on arguments. Most of it consists of a conditioned ?yuck factor.? (Pence 6).?
