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Файл:Science and Technology. Пособие по развитию навыков чтения при обучении английскому языку
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intermediate and major checks to monitor the health and usage of the
fleet. Routine checks involve literally dozens of tasks carried out under
approximately 12 pages of densely typed check headings. Ramp checks
increase in thoroughness every 10 days to 1 month, hanger checks occur
every 3 months, “interchecks” every 15 months, and major checks every
24000 flying hours. In addition to the manpower resources, hanger
checks require the aircraft to be out of service for 24 hours, interchecks
require 10 days and major checks 5 weeks. The overheads of such safety
monitoring are enormous. An aircraft constructed from a “sensual
structure” could self-monitor its performance to a level beyond that of
current data recording, and provide ground crews with enhanced health
and usage monitoring. This would minimise the overheads associated
with HUMS and allow such aircraft to fly for more hours before human
intervention is required.
C Sensual structures need not be restricted to hi-tech applications
such as aircraft. They could be used in the monitoring of civil
engineering structures to assess durability. Monitoring of the current and
long-term behaviour of a bridge would lead to enhanced safety during its
life since it would provide early warning of structural problems at a stage
where minor repairs would enhance durability, and when used in
conjunction with structural rehabilitation could be used to safely monitor
the structure beyond its original design life. This would influence the life
costs of such structures by reducing upfront construction costs (since
smart structures would allow reduced safety factors in initial design), and
by extending the safe life of the structure. “Sensual” materials and
structures also have a wide range of potential domestic applications, as in
food packaging for monitoring safe storage and cooking. The above
examples address only “sensual” structures. However, smart materials
and structures offer the possibility of structures which not only sense but
also adapt to their environment. Such adaptive materials and structures in
addition have the capability to move, vibrate, and exhibit a multitude of
other real time responses. Potential applications of such adaptive
materials and structures range from the ability to control the aeroelastic
form of an aircraft wing, thus minimising drag and improving operational
efficiency, to vibration control of lightweight structures such as satellites,
and power pick-up pantographs on trains.
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D Many of the useful materials we make from oil, coal and plants
are polymers. Natural polymers include silk, wool and cotton, while
artificial polymers include plastics, adhesives, nylon, neoprene,
polyester, polystyrene, polythene, PVC, paint, Kevlar, PTFE, and
synthetic rubbers. Polymers are easy to mould, lightweight, and have
high melting points and good chemical resistance. They are relatively
easy to blend with other materials to provide even more useful properties.
Nickel composites with PTFE greatly extend the service life of many
mechanical components by providing them with an extremely low
friction surface and they can also prevent moulded products from
sticking in their moulds, even at high temperatures, and prevent threaded
components from seizing up because of corrosion. Thermoset polymers
are often liquid or gels to begin with but are irreversibly changed when
cured. Curing is accomplished by heating, catalysis or ultraviolet light,
with the results typically dense, durable and heat resistant. Examples
include melamine, epoxy resins and silicones. They are also widely used
in protective coatings, sealants, construction grouts and laminating. In
contrast, thermoplastics are usually initially solid but become pliable
above a certain temperature, enabling them to be easily moulded;
however, they revert to pliable or liquid when reheated, so they are easy
to reuse but not durable or temperature tolerant. Examples include
polythene, nylon and acrylics.
E Approaches vary from the use of mechatronics (essentially
hybrid mechanical/electronic systems) to the development of truly smart
materials, where sensing and actuation occurs at the atomic or molecular
level. The mechatronic approach is familiar from systems already in
existence such as ABS and active ride control in road vehicles, and such
an approach has already been employed in the vibration control of highrise Japanese buildings. However, in truly smart structures the integration
of sensing and actuation is generally greater than that in pure
mechatronic systems, with the required function integrated within the
structural material itself. Such structures have been compared to
Frankenstein’s monster since separate sensors and actuators are
integrated (or bolted) together into a structural material, but without the
materials themselves being smart. Examples include sensual structures
containing optical fibre sensors for monitoring load history and damage
accumulation in bridges, dams and aircraft and adaptive structures
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containing novel piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive and
A B C D E F G
shape memory actuators, for real time vibration and shape control.
TASK 2. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений А–G
соответствуют содержанию текста (1 – True), какие не
соответствуют (2 – False) и о чём в тексте не сказано, т. е. на
основании текста нельзя дать ни положительного, ни отрицательного
ответа (3 – Not stated). Занесите номер выбранного Вами варианта
ответа в таблицу.
А Even a very small pyrotechnic explosion could cause a huge
catastrophe in space.
B HUMS are health and utility monitoring systems.
C If we use a “sensual structure” to construct an aircraft, it could
help reduce maintanance costs.
D Smart materials can’t have domestic application.
E There exist different types of polimers, but they all are easy
to blend with other materials.
F The mechatronic approach has already been employed in the
vibration control of buildings in South-East Asia.
G Smart structures have been compared to Frankenstein's monster
because they don’t consist of smart materials only.
TASK 3. Make up a glossary of 10 words you consider to be most
important for understanding the text. Use the words from the list in the
appropriate context. Write the sentences down. You can use different
resources to find the examples. Write at least 3 examples for each word if
possible.
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READING: Gravity
TASK 1. Before you read the text, answer the following questions.
What is gravity?
Who discovered gravity?
When can different objects be weightless?
Now read the text and find out if your answers were correct.
Gravity as a universal force
Gravity is the force that draws an object or a living thing downwards.
Today, scientists know of four forces – things that attract (or repel) one
object to (or from) another. The strong force and the weak force operate
only inside the centers of atoms. The electromagnetic force rules objects
with excess charge (like electrons, protons, and socks shuffling over a
fuzzy carpet), and gravity steers objects with mass.
We say that things which are pulled by gravity have mass.
Things that are falling still have mass, but we cannot calculate their
weight, so we say that they are weightless. Astronauts and spacecraft in
outer space can be weightless; they appear to be floating.
In fact, they are falling in an orbit around the Earth. In order to move,
spacecrafts need rockets, and astronauts use their arms or legs to jump or
stop.
Ancient Greek and Indian philosophers observed that objects naturally
moved toward the ground, but it would take a flash of insight from Isaac
Newton to elevate gravity from an inscrutable tendency of objects to a
measurable and predictable phenomenon. Sir Isaac Newton discovered
gravity when he saw an apple fall from a tree; his rules are simple but
surprisingly accurate. Newton packaged these ideas into his universal law
of gravitation. Albert Einstein showed that gravity could be explained as
the blending of space and time by mass. He predicted that time slows
down near a large mass, and this has been verified using very accurate
clocks on satellites.
In some ways, the story of gravity is also the story of physics, with
some of the field’s biggest names finding fame by defining the force that
ruled their lives. But even after more than 400 years of study, the
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enigmatic force still lies at the heart of some of the discipline's greatest
mysteries.
TASK 2. Guess the words from the text using the definitions.
1. The force that attracts objects in space towards each other, and that
on earth pulls them towards the ground.
2. The area outside the Earth’s atmosphere where all the other planets
and stars are.
3. An effect that causes things to move in a particular way.
4. The quantity of material that something contains.
5. Having no weight, especially because of being outside the Earth's
atmosphere.
6. Move slowly in the air or on water.
7. Somebody who travels and works in space.
8. A curved path followed by a planet or a spacecraft as it moves
around a star or planet.
TASK 3. Use the words from Task 2 in the appropriate context. Write
the sentences down. You can use different resources to find the
examples. Write at least 3 examples for each word if possible.
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READING: Antioxidants
TASK 1. Read the text. Complete the sentences with the correct form of
the words in brackets.
Antioxidants that delay ageing
The gradual accumulation of cell damage plays a very important role
in the origin of ageing. There are many sources of
1_______ (cell) damage, however, which ones are really
2_______ (response) for ageing and which ones are
3_______ (consequence) for ageing is a question that still lacks an
answer. The Free Radicals Hypothesis was put forward in 1956 by
Denham Harman. Since then, the large 4_______ (major) of attempts to
prove that 5_______ (oxide) damage is relevant for ageing have failed,
including multiple clinical 6_______ (try) in humans with
7_______ (oxide) compounds. For this reason, although the
8_______ (accumulate) of oxidative damage with ageing is
9_______ (dispute), most scientists believe that it is a minor, almost
10_______ (relevance), cause of ageing. However, this may change
considering the recently published 11_______ (observe). A group of
12_______ (science) from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre
have tried to increase the 13_______ (globe) antioxidant capacity of the
cells, rather than just one or a few antioxidant enzymes. To achieve this
great 14_______ (improve) in the total antioxidant capacity, researches
have focused on increasing the levels of NADPH, a relatively simple
molecule that is of key importance in antioxidant reactions and that,
however, had not been studied to date in relation to ageing. In particular,
they generated transgenic 15_______ (mouse) with an increased
expression throughout their bodies of one of the most important enzymes
for the production of NADPH, 16_______ (name), glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (or G6PD). “As anticipated, the cells in these transgenic
animals are more resistant to highly toxic artificial oxidative
17_______ (treat), thus proving that an increase in G6PD really
improves antioxidant 18_______ (defend)”, explains Sandrina NóbregaPereira, first author of the study and 19_______ (current) a researcher at
the Institute of Molecular Medicine of the University of Lisbon. Based
on these results, the authors of the study point to the use of
pharmacological agents or nutritional supplements that increase NADPH
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levels as potential tools for delaying the ageing process in humans and
20_______ (age, relation) diseases, such as diabetes, among others.
More specifically, vitamin B3 and its 21_______ (derive) are responsible
for the synthesis of NADPH precursors and are 22_______
(suit) candidates for future studies.
TASK 2. The discussion on BIOLOGY.
1. Did you enjoy science lessons at school? Why? Give specific
example.
2. Which of the sciences interests you most?
3. Which science do you think is the most important? Why?
4. Would you like to work as a scientific researcher? Why / why not?
5. What science projects or experiments did you like at school?
6. What major scientific breakthroughs in biology have there been in
the last 50 years?
7. Who is the greatest biology scientist in your country’s history?
8. What is there left to discover?
9. What would you say is the purpose of biology nowadays?
10. Do you enjoy science-fiction novels and movies?
Why / why not? Give reasons.
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READING: Mechatronics
TASK. Read the text and use it to do the tasks.
A Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary branch of mechanical
engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and software engineering
that is concerned with integrating electrical and mechanical engineering to
create hybrid systems. In essence, mechatronics is adding intelligence to a
mechanical design or replacing mechanical designs with an intelligent
electronic solution. These mechatronic systems can be found manipulating
the smallest bits of matter, in spacecraft, as well as throughout your home
and town. From smart phones and TVs, to smart energy grids to smart cars
and smart medical care and devices they are everywhere, making life
better, greener, healthier, more productive, and more interesting.
B To become a mechatronic engineer, you usually have to study
engineering at university with a major in mechatronics or robotics. Related
degrees in electronics, electrical or mechanical engineering may also be
appropriate. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior
Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed
knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry and physics
are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some
have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Mechatronics
engineers study a number of subjects such as Mechanics, Mathematical
Modeling, Electric and Electronic Systems, Sensors and Actuators,
Computer Engineering, Control Systems, Robotics, Intelligent Machines,
Mechanical Vibration, and Automotive Engineering, Costing, Business
science, Quantitive Methods and CAD (Computer Aided Design).
C Mechatronic engineers design and maintain machinery with
electronic and computer control systems, such as aircraft, robots, motor
vehicles, cameras, power generators and mining and chemical plant
machinery. A mechatronic engineer enjoys technical and engineering
activities, he or she is good at communication skill, is able to work as
part of a team, is able to think creatively and solve problems, is interested
in mathematics, physics and mechanical equipment, such as robotic and
production equipment. They are good at considering the relative costs
and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. He
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or she is an active listener and keen on giving full attention to what other
people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made,
asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate
times. Complex problem solving is one of their skills while identifying
complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and
evaluate options and implement solutions. A mechatronic engineer has
deep knowledge of the structure and content of the English language
including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and
grammar.
D Mechatronics is at the cutting edge of the development of
intelligent products. A mechatronic Engineer is a person who exploits a
synergy between mechanics and electronics to design, construct and
maintain improved products and processes. Mechatronics engineers can
work in design and construction of new products or upgrading existing
products. Mechatronics engineers use their skills in computers,
microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers, programming,
industrial sensors, hydraulic, pneumatic and electric drives, design of
mechanical structures and knowledge of production processes.
Mechatronics engineers have research and development opportunities in
nanotechnology, robotics, wire technologies for vehicles, biomedical
engineering, and other developing areas. When planning a new project, a
mechatronics engineer might consult with experts from many different
disciplines. He or she may speak with marketing managers to determine
if there is a demand for a new design; consulting with factory workers to
see if they could benefit from changes to their equipment is common as
well. The engineer can then begin brainstorming, drawing schematics,
and creating computer models with drafting software. The design phase
of a project can take anywhere from a few days to several months
depending on the complexity of the system and the available budget.
TASK 1. Match the questions (1–4) with the appropriate paragraphs
(A–D).
1. What do mechatronics engineers do?
2. What is mechatronics?
3. What subjects do mechatronics engineers study?
4. What are personal requirements of a mechatronic engineer?
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TASK 2. Decide if the following statement is 1) True or 2) False. Put the
1. Mechatronics is a monodisciplinary branch of
engineering.
Answer
2. Mechatronics engineers learn a few subjects.
Answer
3. A mechatronic engineer receives pleasure from
high tech activities, he or she is good at soft skills.
Answer
4. Mechatronics engineers can work in development
of new products or improving trendy ones.
Answer
number (1 or 2) in the answer block.
TASK 3. Do the crossword puzzle Mechatronics.
Mechatronics: CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Engineering
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