科技英语阅读与翻译presentation,nanotechnology on cancer
科技英语阅读教材ESTreadingunit4原文及译文高教出版
科技英语阅读教材ESTreadingunit4原文及译文高教出版Unite4 Electronic Information(robots)Remote-controlled Robot Surrogate Could Attend Your Next Meeting. for You(译文见下端)1It may look like a floor lamp mounted on a vacuum claener , but Anybots Inc.'s new QB is actually the latest in surrogate robotics . QB is designed to serve as your eyes ,ears and voice when you can't be there in person ,Even better , it's mobile , rolls around on two wheels like Rosie and can be navigated remotely via the Web and a Wi-Fi connection .2Telecommuting workers and traveling executives alike could us QB (so named because it is the next in line after the company's prototype QB bot) as a virtual extension of themselves. allowing them to attend meetings , tour facilities or perform walk-throughs of real estate properties , all while controlling the robot from a computer keyboard.3Anybots formally unveiled the remotely controlled robot on Tuesday and plans to start selling QBs by the end of the year .A five-megapixel vedio camera serves as one eye, whlie the other is a laser pointer. A speaker on the crown of QB's head gives it a mouthpiece, a touch-screen monitor on on its forehead enables software maintenance and other input , and a ring of protective rubber around its head makes it look a bit like Olivia Newton-John circa 1981.4Along with the wheels,a self-balancing system and a motor with a top speed of five kilometers per our make the robot mobile . The two-wheel-as opposed to a tricycle or quad-design makes it more maneuverable in tight spaces and helps keep its weight down to about 16 kilograms . The area between the QB'shead and base consists of a length of telescoping plastic that can be adjusted to let the QB stand as tall as 175 centimeters or as short as 81 centimeter.5Although it's unclear if the capacity for remote operation. willUS$15,000 Price tag .Anybots believe its technology will appeal to a new generation of workers who expect to be in contact at all times and in all places .The QB is designed to enable this connectivity without sacrificing “presence”,says Bob Christopher,president and chief operating officer of Anybots ,based in Moutain View,Calif . Bandwidth speed and vedio qu ality continue to improve , but they can’t replace being there , he adds .A test-drive reveals valuable Wi-Fi lesson6 To see how this might work in practice , Scientific American test-drove (from our editorial offices in New York) a QB located at Anybots’s facility in California . Our mossion was to drive across the building’s lobby and ask a second QB (remotely controlled by an Anybots employee) where we could find Erin Rapacki , who does product development for the company , and then proceed to Erin’s l ocation. The session began with logging on to a website set up by Anybots and selecting the IP address of the QB we were to inhabit.7 Once our robot “woke up” and connected to Anybots’s local Wi-Fi network, we used the arrow keys on our keyboard to navigate the QB across the lobby. The controls take some getting used to. Particularly because rugs and other materials on the floor may prevent the Qb from travelling a completely straight line . We easily found the other QB but had difficulty aligning our came ra so that we were staring directly into the other QB’s camera. This wasn’t necessary , because we could hearthe person controlling the other QB loud and clear through the microphone on our robot. Using the arrow keys,we were able to swivel our QB to the left and follow the relatively basic directions we had been given to our destination.8 With a bit more practice, navigation would have been smoother, THE QB features a buit-in lidar(light detection and ranging) system that warns the robot when it is getting too close to an object and slows the robot down to avoid(or at least reduce the impact of) a collision. The QB also has a camera located on the bottom of its “”chin” that points down at its wheels so you can see whether you’re about to drive over a lowe r obstacle(such as someone’s foot).9 The QB’s laser-pointer eye turned out to be useful when greeting people we encountered, including Anybots founder and CEO Trevor Blackwell, who accepted a laser beam in the palm of his hand in lieu of a handshake (a relief ,since the QB has no hands).10 By the time we were ready to leave , we were able to drive our QB back to the Anybots lobby and out the front door. Just past the building’s threshold, we learned a valuable lesson in surrogate navigation: never drive outside the range of your Wi-Fi network. A dropped connection means no cameras and no control over the robot’s navigation, which was especially unfortunate in our case because we were approaching the top ofa ramp down to the parking lot when we lost the signal.11 Danger,Will Robinson.Unit4译文今后远程控制的代理机器人可以为您参加的会议它可能看起来像装在一个真空吸尘器落地灯，但实际上它是Anybots公司最新的代理机器人的QB。
科技英语阅读段落翻译
Space explorationRobots will not only help us on this world. But will also help us explore other worlds. In fact, space exploration is one of the most promising usages for robots. Since these machines are not so susceptible to the elements that could hurt or kill people. Robots can withstand radiation, heat, cold and can function without an atmosphere. Also robots have a much longer life span. So voyages to other solar systems as well as other planets would be possible. Robots could communicate with us and if something went wrong and destroyed, the space vehicle and a machine would be lost, not a human being.机器人用于空间探索机器人不仅会在这个星球上帮助我们，而且还将帮助我们探索别的星球。
实际上，空间探索就是机器人最有前途的用途之一，知识因为机器人对于机器人会使人伤亡的自然环境和条件不很敏感。
机器人能经受得住辐射，耐热又耐寒，而且能在没有大气的环境中的工作。
此外，机器人的使用寿命长得多。
因此不但可飞往别的行星，而且可飞往别的星系。
机器人可跟我们进行通信联络，要是有什么东西除了毛病，而损坏了宇宙飞行器的话，失去的是机器人而不是人。
科技英语阅读答案Unit 6, 10
Unit 6 Mechanics and AutomotivesPart I EST ReadingReading 1Section A Pre-reading TaskWarm-up Questions: Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.1.What do you think will be the most popular mechanic field in the future? And why?(Open)2.Do you know anything about NANO-BIO technology?Nanobiotechnology is the branch of nanotechnology with biological and biochemical applications or uses. Nanobiotechnology often studies existing elements of nature in order to fabricate new devices. The term bionanotechnology is often used interchangeably with nanobiotechnology, though a distinction is sometimes drawn between the two. If the two are distinguished, nanobiotechnology usually refers to the use of nanotechnology to further the goals of biotechnology, while bionanotechnology might refer to any overlap between biology and nanotechnology, including the use of biomolecules as part of or as an inspiration for nanotechnological devices.3.Have you ever heard of CAD in engineering design?CAD: Computer-aided design (CAD), also known as computer-aided drafting and design (CADD), is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer. CADD software, or environments, provide the user with input-tools for the purpose of streamlining design processes; drafting, documentation, and manufacturing processes. CADD output is often in the form of electronic files for print or machining operations. The development of CADD-based software is in direct correlation with the processes it seeks to economize; industry-based software (construction, manufacturing, etc.) typically uses vector-based (linear) environments whereas graphic-based software utilizes raster-based (pixelated) environments.4.What is computational simulation and can you give an example?Simulation is the imitation of some real thing, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system. The network computer games are typical example of computational simulation.5.How does computational simulation help engineering design?Combined with advances in CAD systems, it will be possible for mechanical engineers to collaborate in immersive interactive environments where they can design collaboratively,test hypothesis, run models and simulations and observe their creations in three dimensions much as an engineer can observe a car being built with their colleagues on the shop floor.Section C Post-reading TaskReading Comprehension1. Directions: Work on your own and fill in the blanks with the main idea.Part 1 (Paras. 1-4) Brief introduction to the two expanding frontiers of engineering Para. 1: A vision of the engineers’ knowledge and coordination in the future.Para. 2: the two frontiers predicted.Para. 3: The requirements for the mechanical engineers in the future.Para. 4: An engine er’s point of the development of design.Part 2 (Paras. 5-8) The future of nanotechnology and biotechnologyPara. 5: Nanotechnology and biotechnology as the most influential fields.Para. 6: the core of technological innovation has shifted to biology and the environment.Para. 7: The great expectations of biotechnology.Part 3 (Paras. 9-15) The designing methods of the engineers in the futurePara. 8: The democratization of the process of designing and creating new devices.Para. 9: Futurist Rohit Talwar’s highlight of immersive interactive skills.Para. 10: The affordable vision of CAD.Para. 11: The future vision of engineers’ design independently.Para. 12: The future vision of engineers’ design at home.2. Directions: Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.1) According to the text, what is the “very large system” the engineers have to work on?Multidisciplinary and multi-scale engineering across greater distances and timeframes2) According to the text, what is the “very small system” the engineers have to work on?Nanotechnology.3) In order to “work at the extremes”, what would the engineers probably do in thefuture?Be adept at integrating different disciplines, addressing increasingly complex customer andstakeholder requirements, and treating multiple interacting systems.4) Why would the future employers demand engineers adept at integrating differentdisciplines?They must be able to conceive and direct projects of enormous complexity that require a highly integrative view of engineering systems.5) What is the future application vision of Nano-Bio?Nanotechnology and biotechnology will dominate technological development in the next 20 years and will be incorporated into all aspects of technology that affect our lives on a daily basis. Nano-Bio will provide the building blocks that future engineers will use to solve pressing problems in diverse fields including medicine, energy, water management, aeronautics, agriculture and environmental management.6) Can you make some examples on how nanotechnology and biotechnology will beapplied?(Open)7) According to the passage, what might be the most important working method for thefuture engineers?Designing at home would be the the most important working method for the future engineers.8) How will the home-based personal fabrication become readily available?Rapid prototyping and fabrication laboratories are improving and will soon be affordable for those running home offices, teaching classes and those inventing or building as a hobby.Within 20 years, it is likely that home-based personal fabricators will be economically attractive and available to anyone who wants them.3. Directions: Read the following passage carefully and fill in the blanks with the words or phrases you’ve learned in the text.In order to get ready for the multidisciplinary and multi-scale engineering, engineers must be adept at integrating different disciplines, addressing increasingly complex customer and stakeholder requirements. Nowadays, the application of Nanotechnology and biotechnology goes far beyond the prosaic use of nanofabrics in pants to prevent stains, but is poised for even greater application over the next 20 years. Biotechnology is now on the verge of a revolution in which genetic components are standardized and interchangeable, therefore, the engineers must design collaboratively, test hypothesis, run models and simulations and observe their creations in immersive interactive environments.Vocabulary and Structure1. Directions: Give the correct form of the word according to the indication in the brackets. Then complete the sentences using the right form for each word. Use each word once.1) The disciplinary research requires cooperation among different fields of science.2) Carl works in the insurance division of the company.3) He poised himself for a jump.4) Titanium fabrication plays a very important part in aeronautics.5) Many people believe that women are more intuitive than men.6) PCs are now democratized all around the world.7) We should avoid plain prosaic statement in our compositions.8) The spectacular visual effects offered us an incredibly immersive gaming experience.9) The thesis shows us a mathematical simulation in theory.10) The structural complexity of this nanofabric product is the most important part in itsmassive production.2. Directions: Complete the sentences with the words given in the brackets. Change the form if necessary.1) Biotechnology is on the verge of a revolution in which genetic components arestandardized and interchangeable.生物技术正处于基因革命的边缘。
科技英语论文阅读及翻译PPT课件
（2）描述方法
Multiple faults of injector were simulated on the experimental table, and acoustic signals that sent out by working diesel were collected over the cylinder head. Using wavelet and neural network technology, this paper analyzed the acoustic signals in detail and diagnosed the different faults successfully.
论文内容本身（text）
5）致谢（acknowledgement） 6）参考文献（reference）
作者姓名、文章标题、杂志名称、 卷号和页码、刊登的月份和年份。
署名
作者姓名
作者的姓名要用全称（full name） 外国人的姓名分三部分：
教名－Christian name, first name, given name, forename 中间名－middle name 姓－surname, family name, last name 中国人的姓名应根据中国人的习惯，按汉语的顺序以汉语 拼音写出 Transfer Characteristics in Mechanically Stirred Airlift Loop Reactors with or Without Static Mixers Lü Xiaoping, Wang Yanru
Key words : hybrid electric vehicle petroleum substitution Battery
《科技英语阅读与翻译》句子翻译
Unit1A因此，可以将计算机定义为一种高速运行的电子设备，该设备以称为程序的指令和称为数据的字符形式接收信息,并对信息进行算术和/或逻辑运算，继而提供运算结果.For this reason,computers can be defined as very—high-speed electronic device which accept information in the form of instructions called a program and characters called data，perform mathematical and/or logical operations on the information，and then supply results of these operations.计算机解决问题只需用人工所需时间的一小部分时间。
It can find the solution to a problem in a fraction of the time it takes a human being to da the job.对计算机发出指令的程序或部分程序，以及为其提供解决问题所需信息的数据均存储在计算机存储器内.The program,or part of it，which tells the computers what to do and the data,which provide the information needed to solve the problem,are kept inside the computer in place called memory。
计算机能够代替人类做单调、常规的工作,但没有独创性;计算机可以根据指令工作，但不能做任何价值判断.A computer can replace people in dull,routine tasks，but it has no originality;it works according to the instructions given to it and cannot exercise any value judgments.如果操作者不给予指示,也不提供适当信息，计算机就什么也做不了；但由于电脉冲能以光速运行，因此计算机几乎瞬间便能处理大量算术逻辑运算。
《科技英语阅读》课后名词解释和翻译
Unit1 mathematics名词解释绝对补集absolute complement / 代数algebra /代数式algebraic expression / 代数方程algebraic equation / 代数不等式algebraic inequality / 任意常数arbitrary constant / 数组array / 底数；基数base number / 连续函数continuous function / 函数function / 复合函数function of function / 函数记号functional notation / 集合aggregate / 子集subset /迭代函数iterative function/优先权之争priority battle/分形特征fractal properties/有意义make sense/以越来越小的规模重复同一模式patterns repeat themselves at smaller and smaller scales/混沌理论chaos theory/季刊a quarterly journal/数学界the mathematics community/波纹线crisp lines/会议公报proceedings of a conference翻译3. Translate the sentences into Chinese.1)他主要是因为用分形这个概念来描述（海岸线、雪花、山脉和树木）等不规则形状等现象而闻名于世，这些不规则形状在越来越小的规模上不断重复同一模式。
2)如果再仔细观察，就可以发现集的边界并没有呈波纹线，而是像火焰一样闪光。
3)但是，克朗兹在这场辩论中引入了一个新东西，他说曼德布洛特集不是曼德布洛特集发明的，而是早在“曼德布洛特集”这个术语出现几年以前就已经明确地在数学文献中出现了。
4)曼德布洛特同时也暗示即使布鲁克斯和马特尔斯基的论文先于他发表，但因为他们没有领会到其价值，仍然不能将他们看作是曼德布洛特集的发现者。
最新科技英语阅读与翻译(李健)
科技英语阅读与翻译（李健）第二章设想一下:在一个新的产业诞生之际, 你目=睹见证了这一切! 这个产业是在前所未有的新技术基础上发展起来的, 其中包括一些实力雄厚企业销售的高度专业化商务设备, 还有越来越多的新兴公司生产的新奇玩具、为玩具藏家青睐的机巧装置, 以及其他一些奇特有趣的特殊产品。
但同时, 这还是一个缺乏行业标准和平台的、尚不成规模的产业。
项目复杂, 进步缓慢, 实际应用更是少之有少。
事实上, 尽管对这个产业的未来充满热情和希望,但是没有人能明确地说出什么时间- 或究竟是否有可能-它能取得关键性的规模发展。
但是,若真能实现发展, 那么,它很可能改变整个世界。
当然, 上述描述可算是上世纪70 年代中期计算机产业的写照, 也就在那时, 保罗·艾伦和我成立了微软公司。
当时,部分大企业、政府部门和其他一些机构都在使用笨重、昂贵的主计算机进行后台运算。
知名大学和大型工业实验室的研究人员正试图建造出最基本的构件, 以使信息化时代的到来成为可能。
当时英特尔公司刚刚推出他们的8080 微处理器,雅达利公司正在销售一款流行电子游戏“乒乓”。
而在国产计算机俱乐部里,爱好者急切地努力探索这种新技术带来的好处究竟是什么。
但当时我脑海中所萦绕的则是更具前瞻性的问题:机器人产业即将作为一项新兴的产业而崛起,其当时的发展同30 年前计算机的发展如出一辙。
想想看, 目前汽车组装线上使用的制造型机器人已替代了昔日的主计算机。
这个产业其他的典型产品包括可进行外科手术的机器手, 在伊拉克和阿富汗用于路边及地面排雷的侦察机器人, 以及可以进行地板吸尘的家用机器人。
电子产品公司还推出了可模仿人类、或是狗、恐龙等的机器人玩具, 而玩具收藏者们正迫不及待地想要猎取一套乐高公司生产的最新机器人系列玩具。
与此同时, 世界尖端科技人员正试图解决机器人技术中最棘手的难题, 诸如视觉识别、远程操控、以及学习型机器等问题, 而且他们正在不断获得成功。
科技英语阅读
科技英语阅读术语解释5个1.Dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates space andexerts a negative pressure, which would have gravitational effects to account for the differences between the theoretical and observational results of gravitational effects on visible matter.2.Quantum physics is the study of the behavior of matter andenergy at the molecular, atomic, nuclear, and even smaller microscopic levels.3.Physics:work security is generally taken as providing protectionat the boundaries of an organization by keeping out intruders (hackers).5.Material:6.Materials science is an interdisciplinary field involvingthe properties of matter and its applications to various areas of science and engineering.7.Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, isthe human manipulation of an organism’s genetic material in a way that does not occur under natural conditions. It involves the use of recombinant DNA techniques, but does not include traditional animal and plant breeding or mutagenesis.8.mechanics9.automobile10.invention11.urbanisation:12. E=m c2:术语翻译50个13.绝对补集 absolute complement / 代数 algebra /代数式algebraic expression / 代数方程 algebraic equation / 代数不等式algebraic inequality / 任意常数arbitrary constant / 数组 array / 底数；基数 base number / 连续函数continuous function / 函数function / 复合函数function of function / 函数记号functional notation / 集合aggregate / 子集 subset14.运动 movement /力force /动能和功kinetic energy andwork /势能potential energy/ 能量守恒conservation of energy /引力gravitation /声波sound wave /振动oscillation / 流体 fluid / 波 wave/ 温度temperature /热量 heat /电荷electric charge /电场 electric field 电势electric potential /电容 capacitance /电流current /电阻resistance/电路circuit /感应induction 、电感inductance /干涉interference /衍射 diffraction /相对论relativity /光子photon /物质波matter wave/核物理 nuclear physics/核能 energy from the nucleus/夸克quarks/轻子leptons/ 大爆炸the Big Bang15.信息安全 informationsecurity / 防火墙 firewall /入侵检测系统 IDS / 分布式拒绝服务 Distributed Denial of Service / 机密性 Confidentiality / 不可抵赖性 Non-repudiation / 中间人攻击 man-in-the-middle attack / 后门攻击 backdoor attack / 计算机病毒Computer Virus / 密码编码学Cryptography / 密钥协议key agreement / 授权authorization /备份文件 backup files / 泄密 compromise 密码cipher / 违规breach / 网桥bridge / 蛮力攻击brute-force attack / 证书序列号 certificate serial number / 询问 challenge / 选择明文攻击 chosen-plaintext attack / 破译 code breaking /线间进入 between-the-lines entry / 攻击者attacker / 密码学 cryptology / 解密 decryption /授权delegation / 加密 encryption16.阿童木 Astro Boy / 变形金刚 Transformers /人工智能Artificial Intelligence /信息论information theory / 控制论 Cybernetics /自动化 automation /仿生学 bionics / 数理逻辑mathematical logic /语言学linguistics / 装置installation; unit device 腿式移动机器人 legged mobile robot / 轮式移动机器人 wheeled mobile robot / 机器人的传感器 robot sensor / 机器人的定位 robot localization /运动学 kinematics / 运动控制 motion (move) control /规划与导航 planning and navigation /机器人仿真 robot simulation 17.磁性材料 magnetic material /半导体semiconductor / 结晶体crystal / 非晶质的amorphous / 微观结构microstructure / 宏观的 macroscopic / 材料性质 material property / 跨学科的 interdisciplinary / 石器时代Stone Age / 青铜时代Bronze Age / 铁器时代Steel Age / 冶金学metallurgy / 薄膜沉淀 thin-film deposition / x光衍射X-ray diffraction磁性材料magnetic material /半导体semiconductor / 结晶体 crystal / 非晶质的 amorphous / 微观结构 microstructure / 宏观的 macroscopic / 材料性质material property / 跨学科的 interdisciplinary / 石器时代Stone Age / 青铜时代 Bronze Age / 铁器时代 Steel Age / 冶金学 metallurgy / 薄膜沉淀 thin-film deposition / x光衍射 X-ray diffraction18.机械工程机电一体化生物工程纳米技术信息技术计算机辅助设计太阳能电池汽车工程机械学后勤学计算流体动力学无线电通讯19.mechanical engineering, mechatronics/mechanical-electrical integration, bioengineering/ biological engineering, NT (Nanotechnology) , informationtechnology, computer aided design, solar battery/solar powered battery , automotive engineering, mechanics / mechanology, logistics , CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics ), radiocommunication20.基因gene / 脱氧核糖核酸DNA / 基因序列 DNA sequence/ 遗传genetic / 遗传学genetics / 遗传密码genetic code / 遗传学者geneticist / 遗传工程genetic engineering /遗传信息genetic information / 遗传操作genetic manipulation / 遗传特性 inheritance / 人类基因图 human genetic map / 基因组genome / 转基因有机体genetically modified organism / 重组器官recombinant // 分子农业molecular agriculture / 分子遗传学molecular genetics / 生物体organism / 克隆clone / 基因克隆法 gene cloning / 分子克隆法 molecular cloning / 酶enzyme / 连接酶ligase / 限制性内切酶restriction enzyme / 染色体外遗传因子extrachromosomal element / 复制子 replicon21.载人飞船 manned spaceship/ spacecraft航天飞机space shuttle太空舱capsule通信卫星communication satellite运载火箭carrier rocket; rocket launcher国际空间站International Space Station太空服space outfits (space suits）着陆区 landing area人造卫星artificial satellite 同步轨道卫星geosynchronous satellite发射台launch pad登月舱lunar module中国空间技术研究院 CAST (the Chinese Academy ofSpace Technology)中国航天局 CNSA（China National Space Administration）美国航空航天管理局 NASA (The National Aeronautics and Mercury(水星)Venus(金星)Gaia(球)Mars(火星)Jupiter(木星)Saturn(土星)Uranus(天王星)Neptune(海王星)22.城市化 /逆城市化 /再城市化/城乡一体化 /集中型城市化/分散型城市化/ 旧地型城市化/城市群23.urbanization/ deurbanization /reurbanization/city andcountryside integration/centralized urbanization/distributed urbanization/pitch type urbanization/urban agglomeration城市地理学urban geography/城市化研究Urbanistik/城市分类研究City classification/城市体系研究City system research/城市形态研究Urban morphology research/城市规划city planning城市生态 urban ecology /城市生态学urban ecology/城市绿化urban landscaping/景观绿化landscape planting /生态绿化Ecological Green24.International Atomic Energy Agency 国际原子能机构nuclear disasters 核灾难 nuclear energy 核能nuclear energy policy 核能政策uclear engineering 核工程nuclear explosion 核爆炸nuclear fallout 核微粒飘降物nuclear fission 核裂变nuclear fuel 核燃料nuclear fusion 核聚变nuclear meltdown 核泄漏nuclear physics 核物理nuclear reaction 核反应nuclear reactor 核反应堆nuclear weapon核武器cold fusion 冷聚变 containment building 安全壳段落翻译5个6 Russell’s own answer to the puzzle came in the formof a “theory of types”. The problem in the paradox, he reasoned, is that we are confusing a description of sets of numbers with a description of sets of sets of numbers.So Russell introduced a hierarchy of objects: numbers, sets of numbers, sets of sets of numbers, etc. This system served as vehicle for the first formalizations of thefoundations of mathematics; it is still used in some philosophical investigations and in branches of computer science.16 Taken together, dark matter and dark energy seem to make up most of the mass of the universe (matter and energy are considered to be two forms of the same thing, thanks to Einstein’s famous equationE=mc2 1). Dark energy is thought to account for 74 percent of the universe, while dark matter adds about 22 percent, and normal, visible matter contributes a puny 4 percent.4 Facebook says it is the world’s largest social network, with 175 million members. But in the United States, most members are still relatively young. Facebook offers advertisers a target of 54.4 million members of all ages. But if an advertiser wants to narrow its target audience to those 25 or older, the number drops to 28.8 million. Narrowit to those 30 or older, Facebook has only 20.3 million to offer.2 Telecommuting workers and traveling executives alike could use QB (so named because it is the next in line after the company’s prototype QA bot) as a virtual extension of themselves, allowing them to attend meetings, tour facilities or perform walk-throughs of real estate properties, all while controlling the robot from a computer keyboard.5 The benefits of straw, points out Professor Peter Walker, director of the University of Bath’s BRE Centrefor In novative Construction Materials, are that “it’s cheap, widely available and a good insulator. It’s been used in building houses for hundreds of years.”5 Nanotechnology and biotechnology will dominatetechnological development in the next 20 years and will be incorporated into all aspects of technology that affect our lives on a daily basis. Charles Vest made the case that the core of technological innovation has shifted from physics and high-speed telecommunications to biology and the environment. The rapidly advancing fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology are at the core of these developments. ▪3The discovery of the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 provided the stimulus for the development of genetics at the molecular level, and the next few years saw a period of intense activity and excitement as the main features of the gene and its expression were determined. This work culminated with8the establishment of the complete genetic code in 1966 — the stage was now set for9 the appearance of the new genetics. ▪ 3 The idea that the state of the universe at one time determines the state at all other times, has been a central tenet of science, ever since Laplace’s time. It implies that we can predict the future, in principle at least. In practice, however, our ability to predict the future is severely limited by the complexity of the equations, and the fact that they often have a property called chaos.▪ 2 As a country industrialises, the number of people living in urban areas tends to increase. The UK and many other MEDCs urbanised during the 18th and 19th centuries. Peoplemigrated from rural areas (due to the mechanisation in farming) to urban areas where there was employment in the new factories. The area of cities known as the inner city developed during this time as rows of terraced housing were built for workers.1Nuclear power’s prominence as a major energy source will continue over the next several decades, according to new projections made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has just published a new report, Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power for the period up to 2030.。