In earlier days, craftspersons sustained by the experiences of countless generations embodied in a tradition were able to create extraordinarily appropriate artifacts. Today, these traditions have largely disappeared to make way for knowledge infrastructures whose "components" are the bodies of knowledge created, advanced, and applied by…

This article presents the author's critique on Stephen L. Baird's article in the November 2008 issue of "The Technology Teacher", which describes a contemporary debate about opening more U.S. land and coastal regions to oil and gas exploration and production (E&P). While Baird's thesis epitomizes the goal of a technologically literate citizen, his…

Discusses some aspects of the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. Explains a number of factors involved including the type of accident, warnings, design and equipment failure, operator error, and negative synergy. Presents alternatives to systems with catastrophic potential. (MK)

Discusses systems that power the telecommunications infrastructure. Highlights include power for central telephone company offices; private branch exchange systems; power interruptions and power irregularities; uninterruptible power systems; problems in the systems; and photovoltaic systems. (LRW)

Universities and colleges have two major roles: to reduce their own energy consumption and costs, and to develop and test new energy options. Alternative energy sources considered include solar energy, wind power, biomass, hydropower, ocean energy, geothermal heat, coal, and nuclear energy. (MLW)

Recent studies have shown wind power to be an eminently practical and potentially substantial source of electricity and direct mechanical power. Wind machines range from simple water-pumping devices made of wood and cloth to large electricity producing turbines with fiberglass blades nearly 300 feet long. Wind is in effect a form of solar…

Differentiates between solar technicians and energy technicians; points out that, with the energy crisis, there has been much activity in the solar energy field, with the result that it could become saturated. Describes a program to train energy technicians that was developed at Cape Cod Community College. (JOW)

Describes the work of Bogdan Maglich with helium-based fusion and barriers to its development resulting from lack of government support, competition for funding, and political pet projects. Compares tritium-based to helium-based fusion and the potential for nonradioactive nuclear power to supply the world's energy requirements with no negative…

This article explores the possibility of terrorist acts against nuclear power stations. It includes information on reactor security, public policy, and alternative courses of action deemed to increase public safety and cost efficiency. (JDH)

This paper presents a discussion of strategic planning within social institutions and provides a planning agenda that focuses on modern trends, forecasts, and projections. First, the background of the strategic planning process is reviewed, and historical changes in the nature of modern technology are delineated, including a transformation in…

ingency on oil supplies will recur later in the 1980s, confirming the need for careful energy planning. Among the factors to be taken into account are: changes in values that affect how people use energy; centralized solutions versus solutions geared to individual and regional needs; and effective use of conservation.

A discussion is presented of future global energy supply and demand problems and two benchmark scenarios showing that time will be the limiting constraint in adapting the energy supply infrastructure to changing resource availability. (Author/SA).

This paper discusses the importance of energy and its association with the modern economy. Presently, 40% of Europe's electricity needs are based on coal. Preparing a clean energy technology requires improvements in conventional steam cycle technology. Education plays an important role in energy use, and universities need to organize education…

Presents articles which survey the moral issues concerning benefit-cost analysis, future generations and energy policy; assess past and predict future public opinions regarding nuclear energy; and review the automobile's role in energy resource use. Contains reports concerning the growth of STS education and the AAAS professional ethics project.…

Discusses elements to be considered in planning for the future of American energy policy: new ways of applying energy, availability, sources, population growth, effects on agriculture, synthetic fuel, possibility of new technology, government involvement, worldwide events (political and natural), and capital investment. (CT)