Engineering the future
Unit summary
This unit provides the student with the opportunity to understand the importance of developing new materials and technologies for use in the 21st century and beyond. It is set in the context of how technological change and advancement affects the way in which products are designed, manufactured and used.
Unit details
-
04 Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
Task-based controlled assessment
| Learning Outcome |
Assessment Criteria |
| 1 Be able to identify and describe developments in new materials and engineering technology |
1 Developments in new materials and engineering technology
a identify new materials and describe their uses, such as:
i high temperature materials used for:
• gas turbines
• jet engines
• space rockets
ii metallic foams and cellular materials with wide ranging uses such as:
• energy absorption
• filtration
•magnetic shielding
• vibration damping
• thermal insulation
• medical implants
iii biomedical materials such as titanium or stainless steel
iv structural composites eg carbon fibres
v shape memory alloys used, for example, in eyeglass frames, medical tools and mobile phone antennae
b identify and describe the development of new technologies such as hybrid car engines, microprocessors and robotics
c carry out research and investigate new materials and technologies, and their uses. |
| 2 Understand the environmental issues that relate to engineering including recycling and the disposal of products at the end of their useful life. |
2 Environmental issues
a identify renewable energy resources such as:
i solar
ii hydropower
iii wind power
iv bio fuels
v fuel cells
vi chemical and mechanical energy storage
b investigate and describe the effects of energy generation on the environment, such as:
i energy loss
ii carbon emission
c explain how engineering products are disposed of at the end of their useful life, and the methods used to recycle materials and reduce waste
d work with others on projects which involve the use of renewable and sustainable energy sources:
i allocating roles
ii working towards common goals
iii providing constructive support and feedback to others.
e suggest ways of recycling or disposing of materials used in engineering products
f present their findings to others. |