...Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Bionics (also known as biomimetics, biognosis, biomimicry, or bionical creativity engineering) is the application of biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology. The word "bionic" was coined by Jack E. Steele in 1958, possibly originating from the Greek word "βίον", pronounced "bion", meaning "unit of life" and the suffix -ic, meaning "like" or "in the manner of", hence "like life". Some explain the word as being formed from "biology" + "electronics". We are entering a new era of technology inspired by lifestyle and healthcare. The human body is a significant application area for technology and, under the research theme of bionics, we are applying the techniques and understanding of engineering to applications which will improve human health. Our research group is a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, clinicians and biochemists, interfacing engineering technologies to biological systems to improve chronic disease management. The team is developing biomedical platforms based on established techniques and leveraging on semiconductor technology to produce a new breed of medical devices. Such examples include silicon β-cells in a bionic pancreas for diabetics, ultra low power solid-state bio/chemical sensors for continuous monitoring, advanced microfluidics for lab-on-chip technologies, neural monitoring and stimulation to enable future diagnostic/monitoring tools, in addition...
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...consideration the economics of bionic human engineering because there are multiple parties involved in these considerations that include, the scientists, the patients, the doctors, the investors and the insurance companies. The culmination of these entities are what drive the research to happen in the first place based on the supply and demand strategies that the business environment drives. The interest in this technology for the scientist can stem from several different interests like personal interest in helping others, expanding technology, producing new ideas, and mainly an income source that will provide profitability for themselves and the companies that they work under. This profit margin on these types of technologies is what drives large scale companies to invest time and money into researching bionic engineering for human use. The risk of developing this type of technology is huge based on the amount of money needed to invest initially while still maintaining continuous investments throughout the life of the project itself. The benefits that all of these companies strive to obtain becomes endless once they have a working prototype that they can present to other investors. Most of these companies decide to produce the products themselves once they have perfected it, but there is a small amount that will sell the results to a company that is willing to then take on the responsibility of manufacturing the products. Overall the underlying priority of human bionic engineering is to provide...
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...come from the Greek words bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate. Similar terms include bionics.[2] Over the last 3.6 billion years,[3] nature has gone through a process of trial and error to refine the living organisms, processes, and materials on planet Earth. The emerging field of biomimetics has given rise to new technologies created from biologically inspired engineering at both the macro scale and nanoscale levels. Biomimetics is not a new idea. Humans have been looking at nature for answers to both complex and simple problems throughout our existence. Nature has solved many of today's engineering problems such as hydrophobicity, wind resistance, self-assembly, and harnessing solar energy through the evolutionary mechanics of selective advantages. One of the early examples of biomimicry was the study of birds to enable human flight. Although never successful in creating a "flying machine", Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) was a keen observer of the anatomy and flight of birds, and made numerous notes and sketches on his observations as well as sketches of "flying machines".[4] The Wright Brothers, who succeeded in flying the first heavier-than-air aircraft in 1903, derived inspiration from observations of pigeons in flight.[5] Otto Schmitt, an American academic and inventor, coined the term biomimetics to describe the transfer of ideas from biology to technology.[6] He developed the Schmitt trigger while attempting to replicate the biological system of nerve propagation...
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...and feministic lifestyle that the character portrays. The purpose of this review is to survey and overview the concepts of feministic characters on television. Women on television have been slowly transforming from generic, stereotypical women that are hardly a programs lead character. As times have been changing, women have been getting bigger, bolder roles on television programs. Female characters have transformed into women with power and control. Sharp explains that the character Jaime Sommers in the television program, The Bionic Woman, as a “new woman” in the new age of feminism. She continues to explain the character as a “cyborg female action lead” and attempts to present examples of sexism and equality through the use of the characters super human bionic body (509). She basically states that women on television have transformed from ordinary women into strong heroic role models. It is rare for a woman to evolve from a housewife to a bionic woman overnight. Along with her transformation of superhuman...
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...Observing nature through the magnifying glass of science, designers are able to learn principles and extract materials that form the basis of modern design engineering. From synthetic materials that resemble biological substances to computation that mimics neural processes, nature is driving design. Bionics is the science of application of biological systems found in nature to designing of engineering systems and modern technology. One of the most influential technological advancements of the 21st century in the field of robotics are bionic limbs. Prosthetic limbs try to make life easier for the disabled, but it is merely replacing the missing part using something that feels artificial and is difficult to use. However, technology is blurring...
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...What Excites Me About The Future Of Technology? It is not news that we are at the peak of technological advancements that will change our lives. Nothing has made more impact on how we live our lives today or carry the potential to so seriously improve the human condition, as the technologies each one of us now has at our disposal, and the wonders yet to come. The inter-connectedness we have, the vast amounts of information accessible to us in less than a minute, the way in which anyone with basic knowledge can communicate with their friends and family, or even the entire world is quite impressive. The ease and convenience with which we can access almost any resource on the internet using anything from a mere personal computer to a small smart device in the pocket is highly impressive. I am encouraged and grateful to be part of such a great global innovation. I truly believe that personal and individually accessible technologies, will become an important part of humanity’s next stage of growth in the general quality of life and even survival. There is such a great potential to empower any individual to interact with people all over the world – from family and friends to new people on the other side of the planet. Nothing the human race has seen to date has the potential to empower the individual to make as much of a difference, to make as much of a connection, to make as much of himself as the technologies we have now and those technologies yet to come. Asides from personal technological...
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...\Technology is evolving and changing everyday. Since the technological revolution, electricity has been necessary for survival. People feel intimidated or frightened when they could be fired because of new technology. These people are invariably mistaken. New jobs are formed every day to replace the old jobs. Furthermore, new technology will never replace the entire job market. At this moment, technology can not replicate the thought process of humans, but the technology is approaching. A computer pioneer, Alan Turing, from the 1950s declared that, “One day there would be a machine that could duplicate human intelligence in every way and prove it by passing a specialized test” (“Artificial Intelligence (AI)”). As a matter of fact, Alan Turing right now, is incorrect, artificial intelligence can...
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...behind my choices and discuss my competition and how we are both poised to compete and differentiate. I believe I have an outstanding idea for a new and innovative product. What is the next best thing from virtual reality? The answer to the question is augmented reality. We see augmented reality used in video games, movies and real world situations. My idea for a new and innovative product is augmented technology within contact lenses. With augmented reality technology and contact lenses, individuals will be able to program directions using GPS to help them go places. The way it can work is while they are driving, the names of the streets will pop up in each intersection giving directions on where to turn and how far the destination is. If they are in an unfamiliar area and would like to know what stores are in the location, they can program the contact lens to have names of stores pop up in the direction they are looking. I have seen this technology work on cellular phones, so why not contact lens? I am sure that the military would also love to get hold of this type of technology and so for military purposes, satellite imagery wirelessly sent to these contact lenses to show how far enemies are from their positions and exactly where they are located. I know that there are assassination missions when it comes to the FBI, CIA,...
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...Running head: FUTURE CRIME SCENARIO Future Crime Scenario University of Phoenix CJA 323-Criminology Dr. Edward T. Armstrong October 16, 2007 Future Crime Scenario In a world filled with much advancement in medicine and technology, doctors have the opportunity to research and find cures. Research has become immensely elaborate and is accepted among many individuals as a means to find cures for many deadly diseases. The controversy behind new advancements and new cures, such as stem cell research, continues to cause concern on a national basis. Such technological findings have been considered by some people to be deviant acts and are not socially accepted. Controversial issues relating to the altering of human organisms has created a stigma of being a deviant act. Extensive research for scientific breakthroughs and innovative technological advancements in the medicine field has provided the necessary tools to improve human life. Many would argue that genetically altering human organisms is immoral and would cause problems beyond our control in the near future. In the following scenario, a doctor has made it clear that whether or not a patent is granted for his research, he will continue with studies either in the United States or overseas. A patent can be approved if all measures of the project have been consented upon by the Federal Government which would allow the creator the opportunity to protect the invention or discovery from...
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...Biomimicry L. Nicole Doucette, Kim Fields, Tanner Funk, Anthony J. Gallela DeVry University LAS 432: Tech, Culture, and Society March 2013 Session Prof. Colleen Mallory Table of Contents ~ Prepared by L. N. Doucette Abstract --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 3 ~prepared by K. Fields Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 4 ~ prepared by A. J. Gallela What is Biomimicry ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Page 5 ~ prepared by T. Funk History ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 10 ~ prepared by T. Funk Political Influence -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 13 ~ prepared by K. Fields Legal Influence ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 16 ~ prepared by K. Fields Economic Questions and Considerations --------------------------------------------- Page 18 ~ prepared by A. J. Gallela Psychological Considerations ------------------------------------------------------------ Page 21 ~ Prepared by K. Fields Biomimicry Cultural Context and Media Influence ---------------------------------Page 24 ~ prepared by A. J. Gallela Sociological Effects -------------------------------------------------------------------------...
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...Philosophy and Design Pieter E. Vermaas • Peter Kroes Andrew Light • Steven A. Moore Philosophy and Design From Engineering to Architecture Pieter E. Vermaas Delft University of Technology Delft the Netherlands Andrew Light University of Washington Seattle USA Peter Kroes Delft University of Technology Delft the Netherlands Steven A. Moore University of Texas Austin USA ISBN 978-1-4020-6590-3 e-ISBN 978-1-4020-6591-0 Library of Congress Control Number: 2007937486 © 2008 Springer Science + Business Media B.V. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Printed on acid-free paper. 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 springer.com Contents List of Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Design in Engineering and Architecture: Towards an Integrated Philosophical Understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Kroes, Andrew Light, Steven A. Moore, and Pieter E. Vermaas Part I Engineering Design ix 1 Design, Use, and the Physical and Intentional Aspects of Technical Artifacts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
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...Running Head: ORGANIZATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Organizational Technology Plan Overview Business today is faced with an array of workplace changes varying from downsizing to implementation of new equipment or methodologies. In the current recession Jake’s Plumbing has looked for ways to have a successful business, while still providing the customer excellent service. Jake’s Plumbing is an organization that can change and adapt to new technological advances that leads to the organization’s survival and success. This organization is going to adjust business practices and the organizational model to achieve long-term prosperity. Changes required to make Jake’s Plumbing superior to competitors may include hiring skilled workers, finding support with external and internal partners, and continuing to advance in the areas of technology, which helps them remain competitive. As this cycle of change continues and adjustments made to the organizational structure, Jake’s Plumbing will incorporate these changes into the organization so that their employees and customers benefit. Lane, (2008) stated “Organizations go through change all the time, some minor but very often major; sometimes in the name of economy and almost always in the interests of improvement – this can be in terms of service or returns (or, with any luck, both).” (Lane 2008, The Challenge of Supporting Staff, ¶2.) This organizational technology assignment will be to concentrate...
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...INNOVATION POLICY OF BRAZIL 1. Some Numbers: • Total area - 8.5 million km² • Population - 191 million • GDP (2010) - 3,7 US$ trillion • Investment in R&D - 1.25 % GDP in 2010 • Scientists and researchers - 231,000 in 2010 (headcount) • Scientific papers - 2.7 % of world scientific production • world's sixth largest by nominal GDP • eighth largest by purchasing power parity. • moderately free markets and an inward-oriented economy. • the largest in Latin American nations ere. • one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world with an average annual GDP growth rate of over 5 percent • together with Mexico, has been at the forefront of the Latin American multinationals phenomenon by which, thanks to superior technology and organization, local companies have successfully turned global. 2. Overview Brazil has many times in its history praised to be the land of the future. First, Brazil with population of 190 million, the past eight years “Bolsa Familia” social program have lifted over 40 million Brazilians out of poverty and into middle class. This creates interesting platform for creating context related innovations and scaling bottom-of-the-pyramid innovations (disruptive and reverse) globally. Second, Brazil was almost non-effected by financial crisis 2008, a signal for strong and stable macro-economic policies. This means that Brazil, first time in its history, is becoming an interesting country for long term investment and strategic cooperation...
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...mind, modern technology is a bane than a boon. It cannot be denied that the technological improvement brings forth to us some advantages. Firstly, it helps man communicate local or oversea by writing email, telephone or mobile. A student , for instance, who is studying abroad can talk to his family by chatting and web cam rather than waiting for a hand - writing letters. Secondly, the modern tools also support man in business and studying. It makes better condition to fulfill tasks faster and more convenient. For example, a student spend less time searching information and documents by clicking mouse on google rather than is stuck with many books in library. A business man can deal with his job by using laptop and internet whereas he can still enjoy holiday with his family. Nevertheless, for every solution technology provides twice as many problems are likely to cause. The modern technology is to some extent underlying causes of negative things in our society. It's Internet that provides an accessible medium for bad elements such as pornography, crimes and so on. the teenagers who are not conscious enough tend to imitate the sexual and violence clips and images on internet. A typical example of this is the massacre in an American school. A pupil killed his classmates by his father 's gun simply because he only acted as a clip he saw. Moreover, the average rate of girls who are pregnant is very soon because of sexual images 's influence. Modern technology is the key element...
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...Technology has been a boon to mankind and it is a blessing in disguise. It has made the life of humans simple and easy to live. The effects of technology have largely been positive on human life. We have reached this modern era because of technology. The various technologies around us have made this world modern. In this modern life technological innovations have become integral to our lives Technological innovations are the most important aspect of human life and it is impossible to even think of our life without them. Technology is the greatest creation of humans and it has also enabled humans to create whatever they desire. I think that technology is indispensable in our modern life and it is a great positive force in our lives. The creativity in the field of technology has always resulted in remarkable innovations. We would not have reached such heights of development without the help of technology. Technology has influenced people in a positive sense. It has instigated people to create better and better innovations. We can never think of our lives without the basic amenities which technology has provided us with. Without such technology we would still be in the pre-historic age. We should be thankful to technology for our metamorphosis from a cave man to the modern man of present age. This modernism is the result of technology and it has made our life better and better with time. It is best tool that the humans have ever invented for self help. The technological inventions...
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