The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be used to detect and locate brain activity, and even predict the brain activation patterns. This technology helps us understand better how the brain processes information and thoughts. However, there are some potential ethical problems associated with this new technology. For example, the terrorists may use it to purloin the classified information by analyzing the brain activities of officials in charge; cracksman may use it to read the password of customers’ account; commercial spies may steal information with the help of this technology to undergo illegal trades.
All of the above will cause panic of the public if this technology is out of control. Therefore, how can we reduce the unethical abuses of the technology of analyzing brain? In terms of the technology itself, we can develop a kind of software within the system that requires the permit of the one being analyzed by entering password or scanning the fingerprint or retina. Otherwise, we can also develop the system so that it must be operated with the cooperation of the one being analyzed, for example, certain kinds of concentration in mind. In addition, in terms of avoiding improper and unethical use, we should have a strict regulation of the manufacture, development and transportation. Any kind of research or usage of this technology should be approved by related legislature. This will somehow decrease the risk of the abuse of brain analysis.
The possible solutions proposed above should be adjusted along with the development of this technology. At the present level, analysis of brain activity is still in the basic stage, that is, prediction of some concrete images; the equipment used to practice this technology is still not convenient for unethical abuses discussed above. However, with the deeper research and development of the technology of reading and mapping brain, more possible abuses may occur. Scientists that head into brain analysis should consider the ethical issues and develop possible feasible solutions at the same time.
2008年10月27日星期一
2008年10月14日星期二
Difficulties in English writing in Engineering
When I am doing writing in my engineering classes, I often encounter difficulties with regard to English. They arise from, for example, vocabulary, sentence structure and grammar. Take MLE1101 as an example, I often don’t know how to describe the phenomenon and how to come up with the proper and accurate explanation because of the limit of my vocabulary. When I want to picture the extend of a certain reaction, I just come up with words like “great””light” or “mild”; I cannot distinguish the minor differences between different reactions under various conditions. The second problem is about the sentence structure. When I am doing the engineering writing, I always focus on the technical problem. Together with the problem of lack of vocabulary, I often write quite long sentences, which makes my writing verbose and inaccurate. This also makes my writing loses my point. These problems appear more obvious in my study of MLE1101, which needs a large amount of technical vocabulary of material science and abundant explanations. I have kept reading the textbook and jot down the new key words to memorize them, so I can easily grasp them when I do my writing. Through the large amount of reading, I have also learnt how to write in a more professional way. In addition, when I review the lecture notes and interpret the graphs, I also try my best to think out the answer in my own words and in complete sentences rather than fragments of phrases or words. This, meanwhile, helps me comprehend the concepts deeper and better. Other than the methods mentioned above, I think I need more effective and efficient solutions to these problems. For example, I should try to apply what I have learnt in EG1471 in the writing of MLE1101 instead of just focusing on the newly-encountered concepts and equations.
Total words: 305
Total words: 305
2008年9月28日星期日
New High-tech Solar Panels
A group of scientists from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have invented a new solar energy technology which is more efficient and can reduce the use of fossil fuels and mitigate the global warming.
In traditional technology, scientists use semiconductor materials to produce solar cells. The semiconductor material takes in the light immediately after it strikes the cell. Then energy is transferred to the electrons, which are forced to move in a certain direction and result in a current. The metals attached to the solar cell remove the current form the photovoltaic cell. In this way, solar energy is converted to electricity. However, solar cells made from semiconductor materials are very costly. The new technology developed by this team of scientists uses smart materials that make the photovoltaic panels more economical. In addition, this new technology miniaturizes the concentrator solar cell. In this system, the rows of lenses maintain its surface perpendicular to the sunlight and follow the movement of the sun all the day. Although the new solar cell is just as small as a postage stamp, the efficiency of its utilization of the sunlight is 66% larger than the conventional one, which is only 14%. The increase on the efficiency of solar energy also brings down the its cost.
In the US, the large amount of electricity consumption is extremely large and it also leads to large carbon dioxide emission. According to Anna Dyson and Dr. Jensen from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, this high-tech solar panel is a remarkable breakthrough as it allows us to use less fossil fuels, lightening the problem of global warming. It is planed to install this system in the Center for Excellence and Environmental Energy Systems and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
Total words:294
The original article is retrieved Sep. 25, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0507-bringing_sunlight_inside.htm
In traditional technology, scientists use semiconductor materials to produce solar cells. The semiconductor material takes in the light immediately after it strikes the cell. Then energy is transferred to the electrons, which are forced to move in a certain direction and result in a current. The metals attached to the solar cell remove the current form the photovoltaic cell. In this way, solar energy is converted to electricity. However, solar cells made from semiconductor materials are very costly. The new technology developed by this team of scientists uses smart materials that make the photovoltaic panels more economical. In addition, this new technology miniaturizes the concentrator solar cell. In this system, the rows of lenses maintain its surface perpendicular to the sunlight and follow the movement of the sun all the day. Although the new solar cell is just as small as a postage stamp, the efficiency of its utilization of the sunlight is 66% larger than the conventional one, which is only 14%. The increase on the efficiency of solar energy also brings down the its cost.
In the US, the large amount of electricity consumption is extremely large and it also leads to large carbon dioxide emission. According to Anna Dyson and Dr. Jensen from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, this high-tech solar panel is a remarkable breakthrough as it allows us to use less fossil fuels, lightening the problem of global warming. It is planed to install this system in the Center for Excellence and Environmental Energy Systems and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
Total words:294
The original article is retrieved Sep. 25, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0507-bringing_sunlight_inside.htm
2008年9月14日星期日
Adverbial clauses of time
When I write English essays especially dealing with long sentences, I often encounter problems with Parallelism. They often result from my unfamiliarity of parallel sentences and of course, the limitation of my vocabulary. After reading the related topics on the Internet, I conclude that Parallelism can be used in two aspects: words and phrases; clauses.
In terms of words and phrases, parallelism often involves words with -ing forms and words with -infinite phrases. In a parallel sentence, one form of words/phrases should be used consistently, that is to say, we should not mix -ing and to do words/phrases. There are some examples below:
1. –ing form: Jack loves to run, swim, hike and paint.
2. To do form: Jack loves running, swimming, hiking and painting.
Besides word forms mentioned above, adverbs and adjectives should be used consistently. For example, if we use some adverbs to describe an action, we should not use a predicate complement instead. It is the same with adjectives. For example:
1. Adverb: This report about the genetically modified food is written quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
2. Adjective: This report about the genetically modified food is written in a quick, accurate and detailed manner.
Secondly, if we begin a sentence with clauses, we must insist on clauses all the way. Parallelism will be broken by the alternation of patterns or the voice of the verb. For example:
1. Passive voice: This meeting is begun in June and ended in August.
2. Active voice: This meeting begins in June and continues to August.
Parallelism can be used in many fields such as series, paired items, and lists. We should pay attention to the parallelism and apply the two general rules discussed above when we are dealing with these structures and sentences. Here are some examples:
1. Series: In the ceremony, she performed dancing, singing and playing piano.
2. Paired items: Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. (John F. Kennedy)
3. Lists: The object of EG1471: to prepare for your academic writing tasks, to understand organization and meaning in reading, to further develop your reading skills.(IVLE, 2008)
Exercises:
Rewrite the following sentences to correct the parallelism errors:
1. As a famous actor, Jacky Chen knows how to memorize his lines and getting into character.
2. To donate money to the homeless shelter is helping people stay warm in the winter.
3. The writer was brilliant but a recluse.
4. Marcie studied for the test by reviewing her class notes and she read her textbook.
Reference:
IVLE (2008). IVLE Module Outline. Retrieved Sep. 13, 2008, from
http://ivle.nus.edu.sg/Lms/course/course_studentview.aspx?CourseID=d5b1abbb-6050-4847-985a-c1f89796818c&flag=WS
In terms of words and phrases, parallelism often involves words with -ing forms and words with -infinite phrases. In a parallel sentence, one form of words/phrases should be used consistently, that is to say, we should not mix -ing and to do words/phrases. There are some examples below:
1. –ing form: Jack loves to run, swim, hike and paint.
2. To do form: Jack loves running, swimming, hiking and painting.
Besides word forms mentioned above, adverbs and adjectives should be used consistently. For example, if we use some adverbs to describe an action, we should not use a predicate complement instead. It is the same with adjectives. For example:
1. Adverb: This report about the genetically modified food is written quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
2. Adjective: This report about the genetically modified food is written in a quick, accurate and detailed manner.
Secondly, if we begin a sentence with clauses, we must insist on clauses all the way. Parallelism will be broken by the alternation of patterns or the voice of the verb. For example:
1. Passive voice: This meeting is begun in June and ended in August.
2. Active voice: This meeting begins in June and continues to August.
Parallelism can be used in many fields such as series, paired items, and lists. We should pay attention to the parallelism and apply the two general rules discussed above when we are dealing with these structures and sentences. Here are some examples:
1. Series: In the ceremony, she performed dancing, singing and playing piano.
2. Paired items: Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. (John F. Kennedy)
3. Lists: The object of EG1471: to prepare for your academic writing tasks, to understand organization and meaning in reading, to further develop your reading skills.(IVLE, 2008)
Exercises:
Rewrite the following sentences to correct the parallelism errors:
1. As a famous actor, Jacky Chen knows how to memorize his lines and getting into character.
2. To donate money to the homeless shelter is helping people stay warm in the winter.
3. The writer was brilliant but a recluse.
4. Marcie studied for the test by reviewing her class notes and she read her textbook.
Reference:
IVLE (2008). IVLE Module Outline. Retrieved Sep. 13, 2008, from
http://ivle.nus.edu.sg/Lms/course/course_studentview.aspx?CourseID=d5b1abbb-6050-4847-985a-c1f89796818c&flag=WS
2008年8月20日星期三
The Main Challenge for Engineering
There is no doubt that engineering has been a strong force that pushes progress of development of human beings forward in history. However, formidable challenges are waiting for the engineers ahead such as sustainable development, health care, vulnerability and people’s entertainment (Introduction to the Grand Challenges for Engineering). In my opinion, a major challenge which is in store for engineers is how to ensure that everyone can benefit from these technological developments.
With the development of science and technology, engineers will be able to find solutions to these touch challenges. In addition, working together with scientists, engineers will make further more new inventions which will drive the civilization and bring us more convenience. However, how can engineers guarantee the even distribution of benefits from new technologies?
Science and technology is aimed to create a better future for the whole society and serve the masses. The ultimate target should focus on the whole of human beings instead of the minority which is richer and more powerful. For example, engineers have developed a new kind of medicine which is curative for AIDS. However, only a few groups of people can afford it, while most AIDS patients have no access to it. Therefore, engineering somehow is useless, if not popularized, as it brings few benefits to the majority. Therefore, engineers should pay great attention to how to popularize their newly developed technology to the masses.
As it is discussed in Introduction to the Grand Challenges for Engineering, engineers must keep harmony with the society and make the benefits of the whole humankind as their objects. Not only Achievements of more technology developments but also popularization of these developments will be the most essential challenges for engineering.
Reference:
订阅：
评论 (Atom)