GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation
Human Life and Advances in
Science and Technology
Student's Name:
Song Seonyool
Student ID #:
HUK21982
Teacher:
Grace Choi
Due Date:
19 July 2012
Word Count:
956
Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 Methods and Materials ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Findings .................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.0 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.0 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 4
References...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
GAC013AE#2
Seonyool Song
HUK21982
Abstract
This report covers the development of technology in geology and mechanic field. It was designed to figure out
new technology how much influence to human life. Through online, the research was conducted. The results
showed that development of technology brought positive influence. This paper mainly compares and contrasts
the tsunami warning system (RTerg) and a new battery technique. While the invention of the RTerg is essential,
new battery technology is more practical to most modern people.
1.0 Introduction
The purpose of these researches was to find out that how the technology advances can influence to human life.
As a first advance, since tsunami earthquakes occur in a shallow environment unlike most earthquakes, it was
difficult to predict the magnitude of the earthquake and warn tsunami. However, a new system called RTerg,
could help minimize the death toll by warning people. The second advance was flash memory which was used
in previous mobile devices and stored bits when charge. It required a lot of power and it was slow. Therefore, in
the past, industry has used PCM1 which is fast and very efficient instead of the flash memory and the metal
wires standard was used. However, today, there is a new technology which is ultra low power digital memory. It
is quick and uses less energy than existing PCM memories. This technology can give people longer life batteries
of portable devices. Furthermore, by focusing on size, Pop’s team reduced the power nearly 100tiems less than
existing PCM memory by using carbon nanotubes. Also, using CNT 2, the energy consumption decreased. While
both new two technologies lead human much safer and improve human life, second advance was considered
more influential and better.
2.0 Methods and Materials
To achieve the research purpose, the scientific technologies which change human lifestyle the most were
1
PCM is the abbreviation of phase-change materials. It is higher and faster than the flash memory. (Therefore,
it can substitute the flash memory.)
2
CNT means carbon nanotubes. As explained by the writer, carbon nanotubes is tiny tubes only a few
nanometers in diameter – 10,000 times smaller than a human hair. Using this technique, people can use the
device for a long time by reducing power consumption.
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considered. Survival and life-improvement were thought as the most important to human. Therefore, the system
of warning tsunami and new battery technology were selected. Most findings were found online. Among a lot of
online materials, the data that the purpose and intention of study directly influence to human life was collected.
3.0 Findings
The RTerg3 studied in seismology field can reduce the damage of tsunami. As Andrew Newman stated, the
researchers developed the system and the figure 1.1 shows they succeeded. Also, to make use RTerg all over the
world, seismologists make out algorithm. It can be associated with mechanics and computer engineering due to
needing computers or various machines which analyze the data and record.
Figure 1.1 : The RTerg detected precisely magnitude 7.8 of Sumatran earthquake
which was destructive tsunami earthquake in 2010.
7.8
The next study4 was innovative issue for technophiles5. This new technology makes cell phone increase energy
3
RTerg which is related to studying earthquake, a seismic wave, the Earth’s crust and velocity of wavelength
was discovered in March 2011, by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology including Andrew
Newman who is assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Science. The study was published 5
editions of Geophysical Research Letters.
4
Eric Pop and his team in University of Illinois engineers studied and the result was published in the Science
magazine and online Science Express in the March 10 though the main writers were graduate student Feng Xing
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efficiency and makes it possible to use mobile phone for a long time. Besides, ultra-low-power memory could
minimize not only the energy consumption but also expense. In addition, ultra-low-power memory makes threedimensional integration possible. This study is belonged to physics and chemistry because it is related to PCM
and CNT. The researchers try to reduce power consumption and increase energy efficiency.
4.0 Discussion
The tsunami warning system is the development for natural disaster which is vital element to human because it
is related with survival. If it were not for this technology, human survival would be threatened. It was invented
for survival to cope with the natural disasters. However, this new technology just suggests a method how to
warn natural disaster and it is not being applied in various fields. In other words, it takes a role to protect
existing industrial foundation not developing other industry itself. It helps industry-develop indirectly. Also, it
has a limitation that it is possible to warn only in the Georgia Institute of technology lab. Therefore, currently,
the researchers are studying to make it possible to use it all over the world. On the other hand, the technology of
battery is the development of artificial technology which is selective element. Though it is unrelated to humans’
survival and without it, it just brings a little bit uncomfortable human’s lifestyle, this technology is helpful to
development of a variety of industry because there are many relations between industry and battery technology.
For example, this technology is essential technique to development of industry including the military or science
field. Right now it is limited to one laboratory, but it could be available in the whole world.
Looking at contributions to human progress, the RTerg automatically warning within 20 to 30 minutes after
earthquakes can help people save their lives. According to Newman and his team, the experiment of the RTerg
technology will keep testing and also will be written as another algorithm to be used at all international warning
centers. In case of battery, people can use app, MP3 or streaming videos for a long time due to long battery life
and small size. Also, people can have mobile devices including slimmer batteries, long-life batteries and lighter
display. In the future, without batteries, people can use mobile devices using solar or mechanical energy.
Furthermore, related to satellites, telecommunications equipment or scientific and military applications, it will
used significantly.
and Albert Liao.
5
Technophiles want cell phone or laptop batteries to last for weeks or months.
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5.0 Conclusions and recommendations
These new technologies give human technical help and improve the human lives but new battery technology is
considered more useful and more convenient. In case of the RTerg, by working automatically and warning
within 20 to 30 minutes after earthquake, people can save their lives. The experiment of the Rterg technology
will keep testing and also will be written as another algorithm to be used at all international warning centers.
Thanks to longer battery-life, people can have mobile devices including slimmer batteries, long-life batteries
and lighter display. Not only that, will it used significantly related to satellites, telecommunications equipment
or scientific and military applications. Furthermore, without batteries, mobile devices using solar or mechanical
energy may appear.
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References
“6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes off Indonesia’s Sumatra: US Geological Survey.” World
News. World News Inc. 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 18 July 2012.
Chandler, David. “Using carbon nanotubes in lithium batteries dramatically improves energy capacity.”
MIT Media Relations. MIT Media Relations. 20 June 2010. Web. 13 July 2012.
“Iowa State engineer developing technology to enhance battery life in portable devices.” Iowa State
University News Service. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. 14 Feb.
2011. Web. 13 July 2012.
“New system can warn of tsunamis within minutes.” E Science News. E Science News. 4 Mar. 2011.
Web. 13 July 2012.
“New technology would dramatically extend battery life for mobile devices.” E Science News. E
Science News. 10 Mar. 211. Web. 13 July 2012.
Normile, Dennis. “Tsunami Warning System Shows Agility: And Gaps in Indian Ocean Network.”
Science 317. 5845 (21 Sep. 2007): 1661. Jstor. Web. 12 July 2012.
Riddden, Pual. “New form of computer memory uses 100 times less power.” Gizmag. Gizmag. 14
Mar. 2011. Web. 13 July 2012.
“Tsunami.” Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. Web. 14 July 2012.
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