Technology '84: Medical Electronics

Article Abstract:

Electrical signals to and from the body are being used to rehabilitate the handicapped. Research into functional electrical stimulation (FES) to give handicapped people motor activity has made progress at Case Western Reserve University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Wright State University. Microprocessors aid in control and programming of artificial legs and arms currently under development. An artificial cochlea is currently undergoing testing and a communications system helps handicapped people communicate. A computer-automated program for determining functional assessment data on the handicapped also is being studied. Uses of lasers in medicine are expanding. An illustration explains the Wright State FES system. Diagrams of the artificial cochlea and communications system are also given.

Industrial research, Medical research, Technology, Musculoskeletal system, Lasers, Laser, Physiology, Research and Development, Handicapped, Physically Handicapped, Prosthetics

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Learning from Elsewhere

Article Abstract:

Accidents at nuclear power plants other than Three Mile Island have contributed to the nuclear knowledge base needed to secure the safety of nuclear reactors. Hardware-related problems include failure of automatic reactor trip components, ruptures, leaks, and corrosion in steam-generator tubes, pipe cracks in boiling- water reactors, leaks in pressure-tubes of Canadian heavy-water reactors, and unreliability of emergency power sources for safety systems. Other problems, more related to human failure are mistakes by operators or plant personnel, lack of acceptable emergency-preparedness plans, and poor quality control at construction sites. Diagrams illustrate the various hardware problems.

Nuclear energy, Nuclear power plants, Electric power plants, United States, Safety, Power Plants, Failure

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Technology '84: Education

Article Abstract:

Many educators feel that there is a crisis in engineering education that new initiatives begun in 1983 have failed to address. State and industrial help to schools aims to curb faculty shortages in electrical engineering and computer science. Some feel that only the strong schools are getting the financial support while weak schools are being deprived. Most deans agree that the Federal government should be more concerned with long-range funding. Problems with precollege education are similar to the collegiate difficulties.

Universities and colleges, Education, Secondary Schools, Engineering Education, Industry-Sponsored Research, Government Funding, Funding

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