Engineering Design and Technology

 

It is indisputably important for educational reformers and technocrats to develop new innovations that incline towards the broader engineering curriculum and researches. Engineers, today motive towards the skills and art to develop a concept of raising their mind ability in order to increase creativity and a more even temperament. In my opinion, the design and technology phenomenon is similar to the scientific methods, but there are subtle differences. Basically, engineering design and technology is the way that science, mathematical and design philosophies are applied to result out solution of problems or product. However, slight differences is that design problems are computed by using principles and formula of math and science while technology works on more trial and error, that refined over a long period of time. In this way, we will discuss the topic into two compartment separately and overall similarities and comparisons are made throughout in an essay.

"Design" refers to the "to make or draw plans for something." It is also called as pattern used to decorate the existing things. From engineering point of view, design is defined as planar specifications for the construction of object or system of an activity product or process or the plan in the form of prototype. The American Heritage Dictionary defines design as: "To conceive or fashion in the mind; invent", and "To formulate a plan", and defines engineering as "The applications of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends. Such as design manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes and systems". By combining both 'engineering' and 'design' it reflects these are the problem solving with the applications of scientific theories and mathematical principles". To made the distinction of design versus engineering, scientists at Xeron PARC describes synonymous as "moving mind" versus "moving atom"("engineer" from Latin "in genio" in meaning of a "genius" what assume existence of a "mind" not of an "atom"). This is further exemplified by specifying the area dealt with( such as a textile designer, fashion designer, product designer, interior designer, concept designer, graphic designer or web designer) but also others such as architects and engineers. Many civil engineers used structural design of building bridge and other high rise construction through common design method, possibly based on their creativity and motiveness. By the same token, computer and mechanical engineers used to create new software and machineries throughout their complication of knowledge, involving considerable research, negotiation, reflection, modeling, interactive adjustment and re-design procedures. Many engineering programs such as civil, mechanical, computer, electronics, electrical, chemical, mining and so on applies their knowledge and skills as per their field of nano-interest ( interest in certain subject of their program)  and relies out method of design that may include drawing, architectural blueprints, coding, circuit diagram, business processes, craft-work, modeling pattern etc. to satisfy certain goals and constraints. Regardless, the collaborative effort of design supports new ideas for entire development of technology in collective ways.

The term "technology" refers to the applications of scientific methods and materials used to achieve commercial or industrial objectives. The origin of technology is derived from Greek, "tekhnologia", systematic treatment of an art or craft and logia-logy in Indo-European roots.

In classical Greek it is defined as systematic treatment. Since, the definition of technology is applied science or knowledge that pit into practical use to solve into problems or invent useful tools. It can be broadly defined as the entities, both material and immaterial, created by the application of mental and physical to get out some output. It is tools and machines that may be used to solve real world problems. The Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary define the term, "The use of science in industry, engineering etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems" and "a machine, piece of equipment, method etc., that is created by Technology" The ascent of human technology began in earnest at the Neolithic Period ( New Stone Age). Stone axes was invented and allowed for the clearance of forest in huge scale. "Pointed weapons of stone"  was used for hunting animals by humans for their livelihood. Invention of energy source like fire with many profound uses was a turning point in the technological evolution. Evidence for technologies, we are very much familiar are computers, cell phones, spaceships, digital video players, highly sophisticated machines, advanced military equipment, automatic teller machines etc. Furthermore, increased in research of instructional procedures,

the new devices and equipment to support health related problems like physical disabilities and sensory impairment has shown witness to a dramatic evolution. Technologies like teaching, instructional, assistive, medical, productivity tools and information ( Blackhurst and Edyburn, 2000) are six types of technology recognized through current perspectives. Each these type of six technologies has significant implication and are described each through a sort of example: 

Medical technology: the heart patient required a clinical battery to support the heartbeat for its regulation.

Assistive technology: a voice-operated computer designed to teach about telecommunication.

Instructional technology: Methodologies to design database from software program.

Technology of teaching: A curriculum designed between instructor and students accordance to the principles of near-errorless learning.

Productivity tool technology: Colleagues will be able to set up a database, enter and retrieve effective information in group.

Information technology: use miscellaneous information through computer and internet which could be stored in database.

Technological development has many positive impacts and limitation too. Human race are

feasible and days are become shorter, convenient and faster which are merit of technology while some negative impacts are pollution, worsen to human life and development as well as bio-ethics. It influences the value of society and arise a question about "technological ethics". For example, the blast of bomb may took over millions of life within a second while its efficient use may helpful for constructions of roads and many development works in many obstacles geography. Thus, technology is the consequences and result of science that are applied to solve the problems of real world entities.

The exact relation between science, engineering design and technology is not very clear and it is obviously a matter of degree to debate. In late 20th century scientist, historians and policy makers advocate in this part and inform the funding of basic and applied science. Science is the knowledge based on observation and experiment of physical or material world. It is simply the collection of theories, formula and principle. Engineering design is the goal-oriented process for making tools and system based on natural process and techniques of science (all verified theories, formula and principles)  for practical human means. The technology is the third step in this concern and it is often a by-product of science and engineering design. A good example to distinguish these relation is, E=mc², the theory of relativity (energy-mass relation). On the basis of observation and experiment science has developed formula and theory of relativity. Looking from different perspectives to this formula and analyzed and designed on the basis of fission and fusion viz. destructive power and direct result of equation. The nuclear power, as applied science, and design results in an Atom bomb, which is of course the technological development. Thus the nuclear power from Uranium and Platinum, the Atom bomb (destructive power) is technological development due to the principle of mass-energy relation (science) and design philosophies.

In conclusion, the entire technology is the result of science and technical design which is basically based on theories principles, observation of the nature and system. New research and innovation of scientific application is qualitatively based on the design and technology, which is quite inseparable for sequential study and progresses.