Nanotechnology
A Catalyst article about nanotechnology, the science of building tiny devices. Opinions differ on the use of nanotechnology, one school of thought is that it will be the answer to many of the biggest challenges in medicine, electronics and defence, another is that it will lead to opening up a dangerous world of technologies which…
5/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Article
10. Electronics of Control Systems
This Association for Science Education (ASE) publication about the Electronics of Controls Systems was developed in association with Marconi. At the time, the company was in the front rank of the world's defence electronics industry. Its wide range of activities also included space systems and computer-based and sonar underwater…
The Emotional Computer
Can computers understand emotions? Can computers express emotions? Can they feel emotions? This video, from the University of Cambridge, examines the research of Professor Peter Robinson exploring how emotions can be used to improve interaction between humans and computers. The research team is collaborating closely with Professor…
Hot Problems
A Catalyst article about high-level nuclear waste. It is hot, corrosive and a source of intense radiation. The nuclear industry is seeking safe ways to deal with such waste, and wants the public to help shape the decisions that are made. This article presents some information about the options for the storage of radioactive waste,…
Control Systems
Work done in this Nuffield 13 - 16 module followed from the B units called ‘Breathing and circulation’ and ‘Food and digestion’, also from the S unit ‘Circuits’. This D unit provided enough material for eight double periods during a Further Science course and built on the content of the S units…
Energy Control
A Catalyst article about the efficient use of heating systems. Many people complain of being too hot or cold. Coming soon are a new generation of intelligent heating controls which can learn how people live, and then deliver heating efficiently when and where they need it. These devices are known as Wattboxes and the article describes…
Smart Energy
Through energy use, each UK home creates around six tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Much of this is the result of electricity generation. In this activity, from the Centre for Science Education and the Comino Foundation, students look into the advantages and disadvantages of the Smart Meter – an innovative device that tells…
Make It Move: Rotating Arm Actuator
In this design challenge from the Science Learning Centre, students make a rotating arm actuator. This uses a geared dc motor to turn a friction fit arm. Two cams can be set at different angles to operate limit switches to control the movement of the arm. Power is fed to the motor using an H bridge switching circuit. Two single…
Make It Move: Muscle Wire Actuator
In this design challenge from the Science Learning Centre, students construct a lever that is moved by muscle wire. This is a conductor that contracts when an electric current is passed through it. The wire movement controls a lever. Students are asked to consider: • What are the advantages and disadvantages of this…
Mechanisms 14 to 16
Produced by the Technology Enhancement programme (TEP), these materials help students to understand and design mechanisms. They are described as having moving parts such as levers, gears and linkages in which the input action causes an output that might be very different. Early mechanisms were purely mechanical but they may now also…
Make It Move: Electric Racer
In this design challenge from the Science Learning Centre, students build an electric racer powered by a super-capacitor. Students must construct the racer and choose which pulley ratio will enable it to cover the greatest distance. Students decide on the pulley ratio following observations of the in-air wheel speed. It is tempting…
Electronics Post-16
Produced by the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP), this book introduces the world of electronics by looking at some important electronic components and how they can be put together to perform useful tasks. Projects in designing and making electronic circuits are included. Products that are set as design and make challenges…
Make It Move: Linear Actuator
In this design challenge from the Science Learning Centre, students make a linear actuator. The lead screw linear actuator uses a motor driven screw thread to move a threaded slider along its length. Limit switches turn off the motor when the slider reaches either end of its movement track. Students must decide on which pulley…
Controlling
Produced by the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP), these images are useful for adding to documents, presentations or for use with an interactive whiteboard. Mainly simple line drawings, they can be cut and pasted into documents and image processing applications. The images in this resource are related to the topic of control…
Control Technology 14 to 16
Published by Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) this book is designed to show examples of key control principles. The focus is on design and construction of systems. Each of the six design and make tasks is intended to occupy 5-10 hours of curriculum time and the projects are: • Designing and making a thermochromic display •…
Control Post-16
These materials, produced by the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) look at the development of control systems with the advent of microelectronics. Complex control systems can now be found in even the most common of consumer devices. A series of study units looks at different aspects of control. They have extensive guidance…
The IQ3 Microcontroller Module
From the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP), this book looks at a self-contained programmable device called the IQ3 which is capable of use in a wide variety of engineering contexts ranging from simple door interlocking to production line control and robotics. The IQ3 has four outputs each capable of sourcing approximately…
Control in Action: Designing a Fermenter
This is one of a series of focused units, from the Association for Science Education and the Design and Technology Association, to introduce students to important technologies and their applications. This unit features control systems and their applications to fermentation. The introduction to the unit: • introduces the…