Archive for March, 2009

Programmable cells

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

 

 
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Computers are getting smaller all the time. Some engineers are taking this idea to extremes. We’ll check it out - today on Engineering Works!
These engineers are looking into a new field of science, or technology, called synthetic biology. The idea is to use living cells to do many of the things computers based on silicon [...]

Precision agriculture

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

 

 
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Old McDonald’s farm was never like this. We’ll spy on how satellites and other new technology are helping farmers keep track of their cows and corn — today on Engineering Works!
McDonald never heard of the global positioning system – GPS. But if he was farming these days, he’d probably be using global positioning system technology [...]

Food irradiation

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

 

 
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Everybody does it. Nuke it! Today on Engineering Works, we’ll find out how the biggest microwave oven you ever thought of makes food and other things safer.
Microwave ovens and food just seem to go together. They’re pretty handy. A minute or so and last night’s leftover fried rice turns into a tasty lunch today.
Food engineers [...]

Bacteria charger

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

 

 
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If you’re going to talk on your cell phone, you’ve got to keep the battery charged. Engineers and bugs may help. We’ll see how, today on Engineering Works!
Everybody has a cell phone these days. They’re everywhere. Some places, they’re the only phones there are. Consider Uganda. In rural Uganda fewer than one household in 100 [...]