General Studies

Project Report
submitted for
ALL INDIA SENIOR SECONDARY
SCHOOL EXAMINATION – 2022-2023
Report on Science and Technology

Done by – Divya Rajendran, XI – F

Acknowledgement:
Index:
Introduction:
Science encompasses the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the
physical and natural world through observation and experiment, and technology 
is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. 

Science and technology have undoubtedly made our life easier and faster. Almost
everything we see around us is the gift of science and technology, whether it is
smartphones, fans, electricity, microwave, radio, television, laptops, wheel,
vehicles, cloth, paper, toothbrushes, etc. We need science and technology in every
area of our life.
 

We must always hope to make an effort and ensure that inventions and discoveries
in these areas are always used in the interest of the entire human race and to make
the world a better place for you.
Scientific knowledge teaches us to express our civic aspirations, our desire to
connect with others and contribute to the world around us.
Science and technology have penetrated every aspect of our lives, changing the
way we work, how we learn and how we shop.

Scientists used their knowledge to develop technology and then used technology to
develop Science; so, because of this reason science and technology are an
integrated term in today’s world.

The words science and technology can and often are used interchangeably. But

the goal of science is the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake while the goal of
technology is to create products that solve problems and improve human life.
Simply put, technology is the practical application of science.
 

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Role of Science and Technology(Uses):
The role of science and technology is indispensable in today's world. Let's take a
look at the importance of science and technology in our daily life:

Science and technology make human life easy and

comfortable
Science and technology have facilitated human life and made us feel comfortable
and enabled us to live in a modern way of life.

With the help of things like microwaves, fans, smartphones, and cars, science and
technology have made cooking, sleeping, and communicating and transportation
easier and faster.

We also use technology to communicate with other people around the globe and
share information, clean our clothes, prepare our meals, move from one place to
another, and in all everyday items like floorboards, door locks and furniture are
technologies that we now take for granted that seem less impressive to us than
self-driving cars or 3D printing.

Information technology including the internet is an excellent gift of technology.

With the help of the internet not only do we get tremendous knowledge in science
and other materials, but we also keep communicating with our friends and
families constantly.
The Internet and related tools are already playing major and important roles, in
areas like data mapping and visualization, crowdsourcing, and more. Internet
facilitates communication and spreading the word now with just one click and
maybe one tweet, that's all anyone needs to do these days to share something with
a social network.

Technology is also important in business because transactions and other events

take place through the computer.

Science and technology help us save time and money

Science and technology have generated new knowledge, have greatly contributed
to the development and progress of people's lives and helped us save time and
money. When you use technology for your business, you can save time and
money.

Science has given us the knowledge of why cooked or steamed food is better than
fried or oiled food and technology has given us steam-cookers, microwaves and
other commercial kitchen steamers that help us cook food easily.

Various tools like computers, transmission media, washing machines, or anything

else help us save time and money.
 Science and technology create new understanding ways
Knowledge of science and technology has transformed human psychology and
physiology.

Science has given man an opportunity to create cultures, pursue societal concerns
such as ethics, aesthetics, and justice, and improve human conditions. Science
and technology feed each other, propelling both forward.

Scientific knowledge allows us to make new observations about the world, build
more scientific and technical knowledge, and build new technologies. 

Science and technology make us think differently, feel differently, and even
dream differently. Some technological devices and applications can improve your
working memory, fluid intelligence, and multitasking skills. 

Science and technology help to develop the field of

education
Science and technology have made a great contribution to the field of
education. The process of science is intertwined with technology applications.
Scientific knowledge allows us to solve practical problems, make informed
decisions and develop new technologies.

 
Science has given us tremendous knowledge, and therefore we have an important
matter to study while technology has made education itself easier, and it has
provided us with options such as smart classes, electronic libraries, e-books,
multimedia devices, etc. Teaching technological literacy, critical thinking, and
problem-solving allows children to adjust to their own pace
of learning and gives them the skills and knowledge they
need to succeed in school and beyond.
 
 Science and technology help in healthcare
Science has made great contributions to health by providing treatment for various
chronic diseases. Technology devices have improved the care of many patients
and helped to record patients' real-time data and instantly update their medical
history and make their recovery less distressing and painful. 

We benefit from technology in receiving these treatments through various

methods and tools such as x-rays, SC scans, MRIs, surgical instruments,
pacemakers, and much more.

We also enjoy many different exercise equipment and health applications, and
other things that help us maintain a healthy and good life.
Emerging Technologies:
Emerging technologies are technologies whose development, practical
applications, or both are still largely unrealized. These technologies are
generally new but also include older technologies finding new applications.
Emerging technologies are often perceived as capable of changing the status quo.

Some emerging technologies are:

Nanotechnology:
The ideas and concepts behind nanoscience and nanotechnology started with a
talk entitled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” by physicist Richard
Feynman at an American Physical Society meeting at the California Institute of
Technology (CalTech) on December 29, 1959, long before the term
nanotechnology was used. In his talk, Feynman described a process in which
scientists would be able to manipulate and control individual atoms and
molecules. Over a decade later, in his explorations of ultraprecision machining,
Professor Norio Taniguchi coined the term nanotechnology. It wasn't until 1981,
with the development of the scanning tunneling microscope
that could "see" individual atoms, that modern nano
technology began.
 Some Application of Nanotechnology:
Nanotechnology and nanomaterials can be applied in all kinds of industrial
sectors. They are usually found in these areas:
• Electronics
Carbon nanotubes are close to replacing silicon as a material for making smaller,
faster and more efficient microchips and devices, as well as lighter, more
conductive and stronger quantum nanowires. Graphene's properties make it an
ideal candidate for the development of flexible touchscreens.

• Energy
A new semiconductor developed by Kyoto University makes it possible to
manufacture solar panels that double the amount of sunlight converted into
electricity. Nanotechnology also lowers costs, produces stronger and lighter wind
turbines, improves fuel efficiency and, thanks to the thermal insulation of some
nanocomponents, can save energy.

• Biomedicine
The properties of some nanomaterials make them ideal for improving early
diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or cancer. They are able to
attack cancer cells selectively without harming other healthy cells. Some
nanoparticles have also been used to enhance pharmaceutical products such as
sunscreen.

• Environment
Air purification with ions, wastewater purification with nanobubbles or
nanofiltration systems for heavy metals are some of its environmentally-friendly
applications. Nano catalysts are also available to make chemical reactions more
efficient and less polluting.
• Food
In this field, nano biosensors could be used to detect the presence of pathogens in
food or nanocomposites to improve food production by increasing mechanical
and thermal resistance and decreasing oxygen transfer in packaged products.

• Textile
Nanotechnology makes it possible to develop smart fabrics that don't stain nor
wrinkle, as well as stronger, lighter and more durable materials to make
motorcycle helmets or sports equipment.

Nanotechnology in The Future

There are bright and dark spots in the future of nanotechnology. On the one hand,
the sector is expected to grow globally, driven by technological advances,
increased government support, increased private investment and growing demand
for smaller devices, to name a few. However, the environmental, health and safety
risks of nanotechnology and concerns related to its commercialization could
hamper market expansion.

The United States, Brazil and Germany will lead the nanotechnology industry in
2024, with an important presence in the Top 15 Asian countries such as Japan,
China, South Korea, India, Taiwan and Malaysia. The cosmetics sector will climb
positions stealing third place from the biomedical sector in a ranking that will be
led by electronics and energy, as it is now.
 Biotechnology:
Biotechnology is technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or
parts of this to develop or create different products.

Some Application of Biotechnology:

• Medicine
The development of insulin, the growth hormone, molecular identity and
diagnostics, gene therapies and vaccines such as hepatitis B are some of the
milestones of biotechnology and its alliance with genetic engineering.

• Industry
The revolution of the new smart materials hand-in-hand with biotechnology
has only just begun. Soon we could have self-healing concrete, plants that
change colour when they detect an explosive, clothing and footwear made
with synthetic spider web, etc.

• Food
In addition to the genetically modified foods mentioned above, thanks to
biotechnology products such as WEMA have been created, a type of crop
resistant to droughts and certain insects that may prove essential in fighting
hunger in Africa.

• Environment
Through bioremediation processes, very useful for ecological recovery, the
catabolic properties of microorganisms, fungi, plants and

enzymes are used to restore contaminated ecosystems.

 Green Technology:
Green tech refers to a type of technology that is considered environmentally
friendly based on its production process or its supply chain. Green tech—an
abbreviation of "green technology"—can also refer to clean energy production,
the use of alternative fuels, and technologies that are less harmful to the
environment than fossil fuels.

Although the market for green technology is relatively young, it has garnered a
significant amount of investor interest due to increasing awareness about the
impacts of climate change and the depletion of natural resources.

Some Application of Green technology:

• Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles have become a mainstream notion in recent years, driven by the
popularity of Toyota's hybrid, the Prius. Public demand for more electric car
options has motivated a number of small, innovative startups to enter the
automotive fray, despite huge capital and regulatory barriers to entry.

• Wastewater treatment
In this field, there are few technological developments, but the existing ones are
important. Key developments include membrane filtration, microbial fuel cells,
nanotechnology, development of biological treatments and natural treatment
systems such as wetlands. All these processes are used to make water drinkable or
significantly reduce the presence of pollutants from what is discharged into the
sea and rivers.

• Recycling and waste management

Outstanding technologies such as smart containers, automated
food waste tracking systems and automated optical scanning
technologies can help sort mixed plastics by separating them
 Mechatronics:
Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field that refers to the skill sets needed in the
contemporary, advanced automated manufacturing industry. At the intersection of
mechanics, electronics, and computing, mechatronics specialists create simpler,
smarter systems.

Mechatronics is an essential foundation for the expected growth in automation

and manufacturing.

Mechatronics deals with robotics, control systems, and electro-mechanical

systems

Some Application of Mechatronics:

Health Care
Robotic surgery has been around since 2000, when the da Vinci Surgical System
was approved by the FDA. The robot includes a camera on one arm and surgical
equipment on the other. Using a robot to perform surgery has many benefits,
including being less invasive, which leads to faster recovery and less risk of
infection. 

New surgical robots are being developed for eye surgery, targeting lung cancer,
knee surgery, and laparoscopic surgeries. One robot, called CorPath, is enabling
surgeons to perform procedures from a distance. In December 2018, CorPath was
used by a surgeon to conduct an elective procedure on a patient that was 20 miles
away. 

Exploration
The Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity provided a view of
the red planet that had never been seen, sending to Earth a
combined 342,432 pictures. Some proposed uses for
mechatronics in space exploration include robotic arms on the
International Space Station, development of life-sustaining systems on the moon
or otherwise uninhabitable planets, or flying robots to examine planets’ surfaces.

Abuse of Science and Technology:

Prof. R. K. Biswal of the Department of Humanities and Social
Sciences published an article to bring forth the ill effects of abusing science and
technology by the current generation.

Throughout human civilization, science has played a vital role in shaping and
controlling much of our behavior. The origin may be out of necessity or out of
curiosity, but the intention of science was and is always noble. The objective of
science is to help improve our lives. Modern society cannot think of its survival
without using science even for a second. In the paper, he says that technology is
now frequently used as a luxury by many and no longer a necessity. People have
started abusing science and technology in their daily life to a point where it’s not
possible to live without it even for a second. Being dependent on technology so
much we’ve lost the essential skill of communicating with one another. He says
that human beings are at fault for letting technology run their lives instead of
doing those themselves. They have become slaves to their own creation.

In Various Fields:
• Healthcare
Technology can be misused in health via various way:
⁍ Deliberate tampering of equipment and devices in order to drive up medical
costs via incorrect readings.
⁍ Unethical and unapproved sharing of confidential patient data to companies
looking to conduct research and development of med tech in morally grey areas
⁍ Altering medical data in order to falsify records with the intention of some
monetary gain, either directly through sale of data or by third
party hiring efforts.
• Warfare
Today, technology is becoming more precise and lethal. The cruise missiles,
which can strike with pinpoint precision, are now given much importance. The
war fare equipment’s built today are so advanced that one cannot even imagine
the way wars will be fought in the future. With the increasing number of weapons
for mass destruction creating a lot of attention, it has now encouraged the need to
develop smaller, faster and more evasive equipment’s to avoid any detection by
the enemy.

A lot of weapons have change the way battles are fought. As new weapons
enter the battle, the battlefield continues to expand. As 21st century
warfare continues to evolve, it becomes complex each day. Understanding
the way technology has changed warfare and the way it is seen is critical to
the wars of the future.

Changing lifestyle
The negative impacts of technology on the physical health of youngsters is
probably the most easily quantifiable of all the negatives of technology.  The most
commonly touted health effect of technology use has been metabolic diseases
caused by sedentary lifestyles fostered by technology use.  Sitting with a digital
device not only reduces the amount of physical movement required to stay
healthy, but also induces snacking more, all of which leads among many illnesses,
to obesity.  Constant sitting also leads to back and neck problems, which have
now been exacerbated by bending into the handheld device all the time

Technology addiction is a serious mental health problem that is triggered by

use/overuse of the digital tools, and this can destroy the child’s health and social
life, and destroys social and family bonds.
Technology addiction is a serious mental health problem that is triggered by
use/overuse of the digital tools, and this can destroy the child’s health and social
life, and destroys social and family bonds.

Human beings are social animals and have over millennia, lived in social groups. 
The social recluse has always been an exception than the norm, until the advent of
the Internet and social media, originally intended to bring people together, has
physically isolated us from each other. 

While the unlimited amount of information available online is apparently

conducive to education, it has not really advanced the cause of education to any
great extent, it seems. The ready availability of information has led to an overuse of
technology in the classroom which obviously negatively affects the learning
process.

Misuse of technology can expose the child to a number of risks. One in three

teenagers are victims of cyberbullying. The ease of information access has blurred
the borders of privacy and personal information can be used by hackers for
nefarious purposes, thus putting the child at risk.

Assistive Devices:
Assistive products maintain or improve an individual's functioning and
independence, thereby promoting their well-being. 

Some Assistive Devices:

⁍ Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, crutches, prosthetic
devices, and orthotic devices.
⁍ Earing aids to help people hear or hear more clearly.
⁍ Cognitive aids, including computer or electrical assistive devices, to help
people with memory, attention, or other challenges in their thinking skills.3
⁍ Computer software and hardware, such as voice recognition programs, screen
readers, and screen enlargement applications, to help people with mobility and
sensory impairments use computers and mobile devices.

Conclusion:
Science and technology has a profound impact on all of humanity’s activities.
Science and technology inventions and discoveries, including the theory of the
origin of the universe, the theory of evolution, and the discovery of genes, have
given humanity many hints relating to human existence from civilized and
cultural points of view. Science and technology have had an immeasurable
influence on the formation of our understanding of the world, our view of society,
and our outlook on nature. The wide variety of technologies and science
discoveries produced by humanity has led to the building and development of the
civilizations of each age, stimulated economic growth, raised people’s standards
of living, encouraged cultural development, and had a tremendous impact on
religion, thought, and many other human activities. The impact of science and
technology on modern society is broad and wide-ranging, influencing such areas
as politics, diplomacy, defense, the economy, medicine, transportation,
agriculture, social capital improvement, and many more. The fruits of science and
technology fill every corner of our lives.

In the present, squarely addressing the relationship between science and

technology and society is an essential challenge to the sound development of
science and technology, one which it is important to continue addressing in the
future based on historical and civilized perspectives, while also maintaining a
deep awareness of the needs of the times.
Bibliography: