W7T1 Summary

Engineer the tools of scientific discovery (NAE, 2008) – summary

 

The public may draw a line between engineers and scientists. In their point of view, scientists are people who do their jobs, essentially, with their mind; in contrary, engineers, with their hand. However, the fact is, in almost every major research project, we can see scientists and engineers are working together.

 

In biological researches, the biologists have discovered very little about genes. The basic obstacle is the current imaging tools are not good enough to enable biologists to see clearly on the gene-scale. Engineers can help invent new forms of microscopes to sharpen biologists’ eyes. What’s more, the bioengineering discipline known as “synthetic biology“ may manufacture new generation of biological chemicals to be used in areas vary from fuel supply to medicines. In biological psychology researches, the engineers can integrate their engineering knowledge to produce a set of standard methods for studying our brain, perception, learning, memory, emotions and our thinking and reasoning skills.

 

In the exploration of the universe, the scientists even rely more on engineers. Engineers are responsible for building the spacecrafts capable of probing the cosmos, sending astronauts for long-distance space travel. These are all obstacles that engineers must be ready to face. Because of engineers’ efforts, scientists would be able to carry out space experiments, take measurements and do researches. However, the engineers’ work is never reaching the end. They will continuously be working on better, safer, and cheaper ways to explore the space.

 

Apart from exploring space, the ultimate physics question is whether there exists a single law that encompasses all physics in a unified mathematical framework. Engineers are trying their best to devise better atom smashers, with which physicists would be able to explore even wider realms that they have never reached before. Engineering and physicists are also collaborating to develop new quantum computers, which could dramatically change the world.

 

In conclusion, there is no line between scientists and engineers; they will be working together in order to make the world a better place. 

Reference

 

National Academy of Engineering (NAE). (2008). Engineer the tool of scientific discovery. Retrieved September 27, 2008, from http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/8965.aspx