The Science Behind Technology

The Science Behind Technology follows the intertwined histories of science, technology, and society, focusing mainly on the technology of communication. It elucidates how technological developments are inspired by scientific investigations and these investigations are inspired by inventive technology. Interspersed are the stories of the creative personalities who provided the theories, applied the science, or conceived the inventions as well as studies of the impact technology has had on societies.

Most of the science in this textbook is learned through inquiry-based group activities and student projects rather than straight lecture mode. These activities are a mix of hands-on and computer-based experiments that illustrate the scientific method and the role of experimentation in producing scientific results, while illuminating the science behind the particular technology being studied. The highest level of math required to understand the concepts in this book is Algebra. The mathematical equations used will help to clarify ideas, understand basic concepts, and the experiments performed. Scientific areas include the basic principles of acoustics, electromagnetism, magnetic forces, voltage, capacitors, inductance, the wave and quantum nature of light, and quantum electronics in order to understand the technology of communication. We will start our journey discussing the earliest forms of communication from the drums in Africa to convey message to the evolution of the telegraph and finally cell phones and beyond.

As the chapters progress, other technologies such as the telephone, radio, television, lasers, cameras, communication satellites, and satellites in general used in astronomy will be discussed. We will take a look at future technological possibilities, such as drones, and how they are used in almost every part of daily life. Without the battery most of the products we use would not be possible. We will look at the first modern battery dating back to the 1800’s and how new companies are creating even more sophisticated ones for longer use to increase the quality of life for everyone on this planet.

The intent of The Science Behind Technology is to provide the reader/student with enough knowledge, skill, and confidence to present a research projects on the concepts learned or just to get a basic understanding of how the universe works to some degree. The projects that students will be able to present after reading this textbook will result in written and oral presentations on the basic science, history, and impact technology has had in one area of either business, energy, entertainment, medicine/nanotechnology, robotics, the digital world, and transportation. Finally, this book will interlace student comments on experiments, simulations, and how to improve activities throughout the textbook. Often I comment to my students that they are instrumental in making this a piece of work that can be used in any college or university.