Scientific knowledge has led to remarkable Scientific knowledge has led to remarkable innovations that have provided great benefit to innovations that have provided great benefit to humankind. Life expectancy has increased humankind. Life expectancy has increased strikingly, and cures have been discovered for strikingly, and cures have been discovered for many diseases. Agricultural output has risen many diseases. Agricultural output has risen significantly in many parts of the world to meet significantly in many parts of the world to meet growing population needs. Technological growing population needs. Technological developments and the use of new energy sources developments and the use of new energy sources have created the opportunity to free humankind have created the opportunity to free humankind from arduous labor. They have also enabled the from arduous labor. They have also enabled the generation of an expanding and complex range of generation of an expanding and complex range of industrial products and processes. industrial products and processes.

Technologies based on new methods Technologies based on new methods of communication, information of communication, information handling and computation have handling and computation have brought unprecedented opportunities brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges for the scientific and challenges for the scientific Endeavour as well as for society at Endeavour as well as for society at large. Steadily improving scientific large. Steadily improving scientific knowledge on the origin, functions knowledge on the origin, functions and evolution of the universe and of and evolution of the universe and of life provides humankind with life provides humankind with conceptual and practical approaches conceptual and practical approaches that profoundly influence its conduct that profoundly influence its conduct and prospects.and prospects.

Technology, Innovation, Science Technology, Innovation, Science and Developmentand Development

Technology is the systematic study of techniques for making and doing things (concerned with the fabrication and use of artifacts)

Science is the systematic attempt to understand and interpret the world (it depends upon the skills of literacy and numeracy)

Technology is as old as mankind, science developed with the development of civilization

Technology, Innovation, Science Technology, Innovation, Science and Developmentand Development

Technological development and innovation is one Technological development and innovation is one of theof the most important factors most important factors for economic for economic developmentdevelopment

Long-term economic growth is the result of an Long-term economic growth is the result of an increase and accumulation of technological increase and accumulation of technological knowledgeknowledge

The contribution of raw materials, and/or labor, The contribution of raw materials, and/or labor, has steadily declined in providing that has steadily declined in providing that competitive edge to new productscompetitive edge to new products

.

Invention and Innovation need Invention and Innovation need ImaginationImagination

Example 1: deregulation of Example 1: deregulation of electricityelectricity

Reduce marginReduce margin Increase importance of demand forecastsIncrease importance of demand forecasts

DISCOVERY OF CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Luigi Galvani 1737-1798(Medical doctor)

Alessandro Volta1745 - 1827(Physicist)

vs

A great debate between A great debate between two Italian scientists about two Italian scientists about

the nature of current electricitythe nature of current electricity

Galvani successfully demonstrated Galvani successfully demonstrated thatthat the frog’s legs could twitch the frog’s legs could twitch in the absence of any metals! in the absence of any metals!

(by just touching the nerves)(by just touching the nerves)

Luigi Galvani

It appeared to be a piece of evidence that no one can object to!

Through the debate between Volta and Galvani, Through the debate between Volta and Galvani, we we learn that:learn that:

Scientific knowledge changes because ofScientific knowledge changes because of

- N- New evidenceew evidence (Volta’s evidence refuted Galvani’s “animal electricity” (Volta’s evidence refuted Galvani’s “animal electricity”

theory.)theory.)

- - Advances in technologyAdvances in technology (Galvani’s “animal electricity” was recognized only after (Galvani’s “animal electricity” was recognized only after

the invention of instruments for measuring the invention of instruments for measuring bioelectricity.)bioelectricity.)

Scientific knowledge Scientific knowledge is tentative (is tentative (暫時性的暫時性的 ))

Can you think of more examples?

WedgeInclined Plane

Screw

Wheel and Axle

Lever

Pulley

Simple machines are useful because they can make a physical job easier by changing the magnitude or the direction of the force exerted to do work.

Why is it that it's so easy to unscrew with a tool when you can't with your bare hands?

Coal is in short supply and Coal is in short supply and nuclear energy is both expensive nuclear energy is both expensive and potentially harmful to the and potentially harmful to the environment. The solution could environment. The solution could be in the use of renewable be in the use of renewable energy.energy.

Running costs are low.

No carbon dioxide emissions to add to the Greenhouse Effect

No sulphur dioxide emissions to cause acid rain.

Solar powered station, California

Solar panels can be Solar panels can be quickly set up in quickly set up in remote areas remote areas

Local communities Local communities can benefit from small can benefit from small scale use of solar scale use of solar power.power.

Can be used to Can be used to charge batteries to charge batteries to provide electricity provide electricity when needed.when needed.

Solar cells used to charge batteries

The initial cost of The initial cost of solar cells can be solar cells can be very high.very high.

The output is The output is dependent on weather dependent on weather conditions and the conditions and the time of day.time of day.

Many solar panels are Many solar panels are needed to produce needed to produce that of a power that of a power stationstation

Solar reflector used for cooking

The Solar energy in use in a mobile home in Arizona.

solar panels convert the solar energy into electrical energy.

The use of solar cells are also supplemented by the use of wind turbines

SolarSolar

Solar water heatingSolar water heating Photovoltaic cellsPhotovoltaic cells Solar furnaceSolar furnace

Hydro DamHydro Dam

Hydroelectric powerHydroelectric power

Nuclear power

Wind PowerWind Power

Tidal PowerTidal Power

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Definition of a RobotDefinition of a Robot

What is a Robot?What is a Robot?A robot is a device A robot is a device that is built to that is built to independently independently perform actions and perform actions and interact with its interact with its surroundings.surroundings.

Finally, the sustainable development of Finally, the sustainable development of economy and social progress are common economy and social progress are common pursuits of mankind. Many useful explorations pursuits of mankind. Many useful explorations based on scientific developments have been based on scientific developments have been made in this regard. However, we must be made in this regard. However, we must be aware of our individual and collective aware of our individual and collective responsibilities towards enhancing the responsibilities towards enhancing the sustainability attribute of all such economic sustainability attribute of all such economic and social progress. Today, when countries are and social progress. Today, when countries are more interdependent socially and more interdependent socially and economically and their destinies are economically and their destinies are interwoven, we must strengthen interwoven, we must strengthen communications, promote mutual communications, promote mutual understanding, facilitate closer cooperation understanding, facilitate closer cooperation and learn from each other. and learn from each other.

THE ENDTHE END