Cosma / Communication / Knowledge / Form / Innovation / Technology & Engineering
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Introduction1
Council on Foreign Relations (YouTube Channel)
World101 (Council on Foreign Relations, Official Website)
Dictionary
technology : (1) the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : engineering (2) a capability given by the practical application of knowledge (3) a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge (4) the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor — Merriam-Webster See also OneLook
Thesaurus
Roget’s II (Thesaurus.com), Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, Visuwords
Encyclopedia
Technology is the making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem, achieve a goal or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, modifications, arrangements and procedures. Technologies significantly affect human as well as other animal species’ ability to control and adapt to their natural environments. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include construction technology, medical technology, and information technology. — Wikipedia
Technology (Encyclopædia Britannica)
Search
Technological World (Wolfram Alpha)
Science & Technology (Wolfram Alpha)
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Adventures
Explore related posts on Cosma …
- Exoplanet Junket - This week NASA released a new project that they’ve dubbed the Exoplanet Travel Bureau. The core of the project consists of a set of interactive 360° images that show “imagined” surfaces of five exoplanets (TRAPPIST-1e, Kepler-16b, Kepler-186f, PSO J318.5-22 and HD 40307 g). Here are three articles about the experience. This Brilliant Interactive From NASA … Continue reading Exoplanet Junket
- Gone Beaching! - It’s high summer here in North America, and it’s also the time for “official” national holidays, so a lot of people are hanging up their proverbial gone fishing signs. However, I tend to be more the type to hang up a gone beaching sign. Since I live in the Boston area, and I’m also a … Continue reading Gone Beaching!
- Great Views of Earth - April 22nd is Earth Day! In honor of that, here are some great ways to see the honoree. First, you can get a nice view from this neat 360° Video from Seeker. It essentially shows you what it would feel like if you could just fly straight up and see the Earth from space. Seeker … Continue reading Great Views of Earth
- Hike, Wander & Walk-in the Web! - Welcome to Web Worlds@Cosma! The pages of Cosma have links to many thousands of the best resources on the Web. Immersive 3D and 360° experiences are among the most valuable types of resources, and so there are links to thousands of them distributed across the hundreds of pages on the Web site. The Web Worlds@Cosma … Continue reading Hike, Wander & Walk-in the Web!
- Moon’scapes - There’s no denying that it’s been a rough week for many Earthlings. On the other hand, it’s been a great week for anyone who spends their time more preoccupied with the Moon than with more earthly concerns. That’s because there’s a treasure trove of news about our lunar realm. For example, NASA’s Goddard Media Studios … Continue reading Moon’scapes
- Perspectives on Earth - Last week NASA released this fascinating video entitled Our Living Planet based upon 20 years of data from satellites that observe all plant life at the surface of the land and ocean. NASA Goddard (YouTube Channel) Goddard Space Flight Center (Official Website) You can find out more about the video from this article. The Changing … Continue reading Perspectives on Earth
- Smart Crows - Note This content is not very elaborate as well as a bit dated, but it is important for historical purposes. It was the first adventure (a.k.a. Post) on this iteration of the Cosma website way back in September 15, 2016. Sometimes news just catches your eye. Here’s a video got me today — enjoy! Nature … Continue reading Smart Crows
- Space Cadet Academy - Confession — I’m a major space cadet! I mean this in an older, positive sense of the word, which is that I’m a “space enthusiast.” That’s why I really get into updating the pages on Cosma having to do with space. Things got a little out of hand this time, though. I began just like … Continue reading Space Cadet Academy
- Touch the Sun - Remember how Icarus wanted to touch the Sun, but met his demise instead? Well, scientists at NASA wanted to touch the Sun too, but unlike Icarus, they succeeded! Better yet, they are beginning to share what they learned by doing it! Before we get into all of that, let’s go back and start at the … Continue reading Touch the Sun
- TRAPPIST-1 - You’ve probably heard that NASA has found a trove of “Earth-like” planets circling the TRAPPIST-1 system roughly 40 light years away, but just in case you haven’t, here’s a short video from NASA/JPL about the discovery. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (YouTube Channel) NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Official Website) Most entertainingly, here’s a 360° YouTube video … Continue reading TRAPPIST-1
- Umbraphiles - umbraphile : One who loves eclipses, often travelling to see them. You’ve probably heard about the April 8th solar eclipse (Wikipedia), and if you live near the path of totality, then you’ve probably also seen news stories like this one. Party in the Path of Totality at These Solar Eclipse Getaways Across New England (Kristi … Continue reading Umbraphiles
- Umbraphiles Rejoice! - umbraphile : One who loves eclipses, often travelling to see them. You are probably hearing a lot about the August 12th solar eclipse. It’s path of totality will pass over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and northern Spain. The National Solar Observatory has created a neat eclipse map that shows the path. … Continue reading Umbraphiles Rejoice!
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Inspiration2
BuzzFeed Multiplayer (YouTube Channel)
24 Of The Most Mesmerizing Machines (Andrew Ilnyckyj, BuzzFeed)
Crazy Engineering (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, YouTube Playlist)
Interesting Engineering (YouTube Channel)
Talks about Technology (TED: Ideas Worth Spreading)
Talks about Engineering (TED: Ideas Worth Spreading)
Technology Quotes (BrainyQuote)
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Foundation
Philosophy
Philosophy of Engineering (PhilPapers)
Philosophy of Engineering (American Society for Engineering Education)
Philosophy of Engineering (Wikipedia)
Process
Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline encompasses a broad range of more specialized fields of engineering, each with a more specific emphasis on particular areas of applied mathematics, applied science, and types of application. — Wikipedia
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Innovation
Technology
TopTenz (Simon Whistler, YouTube Channel)
10 Technologies That Might Save the World Ian Fortey, TopTenz)
Nuclear fusion (Wikipedia)
Seabin Project (Official Site)
The Ocean Cleanup (Wikipedia)
Organisms breaking down plastic (Wikipedia)
Nanotechnology (Encyclopædia Britannica)
Cultured meat (Wikipedia)
Carbon capture (Wikipedia)
Passive house (Wikipedia)
Graphine (Encyclopædia Britannica)
Mycelium (Encyclopædia Britannica)
Artificial intelligence (Cosma)
Commerce
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship, then, is behavior rather than personality trait. And its foundation lies in concept and theory rather than in intuition. — Peter F. Drucker, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Practice and Principles
Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation (American Society for Engineering Education)
Technology Campaigns (Kickstarter)
Product
Engineering Items (Etsy)
Engineering Gifts (Zazzle)
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Preservation
History
The human species’ use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools. The prehistorical discovery of the ability to control fire increased the available sources of food and the invention of the wheel helped humans in traveling in and controlling their environment. Recent technological developments, including the printing press, the telephone, and the Internet, have lessened physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to interact freely on a global scale. However, not all technology has been used for peaceful purposes; the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power has progressed throughout history, from clubs to nuclear weapons. — Wikipedia
Roman Engineering (Crash Course, History of Science, YouTube Video)
Marvels of Engineering (The History Guy, YouTube Playlist)
Technology (Dictionary of the History of Ideas)
Society for the History of Technology (SHOT)
Engineering and Technology History Wiki (ETHW)
History of Technology News & Articles (IEEE Spectrum)
Engineering (World History Encyclopedia)
Museum
Engineering Online Exhibitions (Smithsonian)
Amazing Machine (The Franklin Institute)
The Tech Interactive (San Jose, CA)
The Tech Interactive (Wikipedia)
Museum of Obsolete Objects (YouTube Channel)
Museum Of Obsolete Technology (YouTube Channel)
Museum Of Obsolete Technology (Official Website)
Museum of Obsolete Media (Official Website)
Library
General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Library
DDC: 600 Technology (Library Thing)
Subject: Technology (Library Thing)
DDC: 620 Engineering (Library Thing)
Subject: Engineering (Library Thing)
Subject: Technology (Open Library)
Subject: Engineering (Open Library)
LCC: T Technology (UPenn Online Books)
LCC: TA Engineering (UPenn Online Books)
LCC: T Technology (Library of Congress)
Subject: Technology (Library of Congress)
LCC: TA Engineering (Library of Congress)
Subject: Engineering (Library of Congress)
Subject: Technology (WorldCat)
Subject: Engineering (WorldCat)
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Participation
Education
Technological literacy is the ability to use, manage, understand, and assess technology. — Wikipedia
Engineers and Educators Collaborate to Reach Solutions for Technological Literacy Enhancements (Arthur Winston)
Technological Literacy Counts Workshop Summary (IEEE)
Technological literacy counts: outcomes of a workshop to enhance technological literacy of K-12 students (IEEE)
Technically Speaking: Why All Americans Need to Know More About Technology (National Academy of Engineering & National Science Foundation)
Technological and Engineering Literacy (American Society for Engineering Education)
Engineering is Elementary (Boston Museum of Science)
Engineering is Elementary (YouTube Channel)
National Center for Technological Literacy (Museum of Science, Boston)
TryEngineering (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Applied Math and Science Education Repository (AMSERL)
Engineering (The Franklin Institute)
Technology Quizzes (Encyclopædia Britannica)
The Engineering Process (Crash Course Kids, YouTube Playlist)
MERLOT Engineering Community Portal
MERLOT: Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching
OER Commons: Open Educational Resources
Course
Engineering (Crash Course Youtube Playlist)
Engineering (Crash Course, Official Web Site)
14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century (National Academy of Engineering)
Engineering Courses (edX)
Engineering Courses (MIT OpenCourseware)
Community
Occupation
CareerOneStop, YouTube Channel (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
CareerOneStop, Official Website (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
Organization
International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences
International Association of Engineers
World Federation of Engineering Organizations
American Association of Engineering Societies
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen
News
Technology (JSTOR)
Engineering (JSTOR)
IEEE Spectrum
MIT Technology Review
Popular Mechanics
Technology (Science Daily)
Engineering (Science Daily)
Science + Tech (The Conversation)
Book
Engineering and Technology (National Academies Press)
Government
National Academy of Engineering (official Site)
National Academy of Engineering (Wikipedia)
Office of Science and Technology Policy (US White House)
Recent News from Science Daily …
- Ordinary WiFi can now identify you with...on August 12, 2026 at 4:07 am
Ordinary WiFi networks could quietly become powerful surveillance tools, allowing people to be identified without cameras, special sensors, or even carrying a connected device. Researchers showed that unencrypted signals routinely exchanged between WiFi devices and routers can be used to create radio-based images of people and recognize them within seconds. In tests involving 197 participants, the system identified individuals with nearly 100% accuracy, even from different angles and regardless […]
- Scientists discover a hidden switch inside silver...on August 10, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Silver nanocatalysts have been found to switch where they perform their most important reactions depending on whether a solid oxide cell is making electricity or hydrogen. The discovery could enable smarter catalyst designs that boost clean power generation while making green hydrogen more energy-efficient.
- This tiny gold crystal could bring quantum...on August 8, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Scientists have created the first quantum material that can sort and transport different quantum states of light at room temperature, potentially removing the need for bulky, ultra-cold refrigeration systems. Built from a gold film carved with hundreds of microscopic structures, the ultrathin “metacrystal” acts like a filter that directs different kinds of quantum light along separate paths while preserving the information they carry.
- UCLA scientists discover how to guide heat like...on August 7, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Scientists have demonstrated that heat can move through a crystal in focused, wave-like rays at room temperature instead of spreading randomly. The breakthrough could make it possible to route heat around sensitive parts of next-generation chips and quantum devices.
- Scientists twist crystal layers and reshape...on August 3, 2026 at 4:36 am
Researchers have found a way to build much larger “twisted” oxide materials while precisely controlling how their atomic layers line up. Because these materials can be made over large areas and transferred onto different surfaces, the technique could help turn twistronics from a laboratory curiosity into a practical platform for next-generation electronics.
- “Cannot be explained” – New super steel...on August 11, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Scientists have created an unusually corrosion-resistant stainless steel that could replace costly titanium components used to produce green hydrogen. The breakthrough could reduce structural material costs by roughly 40 times and make seawater-based hydrogen production far more economical.
- New fuel cell breakthrough could help power...on August 8, 2026 at 2:09 pm
A new nanostructured carbon design lets fuel-cell catalysts use tiny amounts of platinum while remaining remarkably stable and efficient. The breakthrough could help hydrogen fuel cells become a more practical way to power data centers, vehicles, and other energy-intensive technologies.
- This tiny gold crystal could bring quantum...on August 8, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Scientists have created the first quantum material that can sort and transport different quantum states of light at room temperature, potentially removing the need for bulky, ultra-cold refrigeration systems. Built from a gold film carved with hundreds of microscopic structures, the ultrathin “metacrystal” acts like a filter that directs different kinds of quantum light along separate paths while preserving the information they carry.
- Cell-inspired nanoreactor turns sunlight into...on August 6, 2026 at 12:03 pm
A new hollow nanoreactor mimics living cells to make hydrogen peroxide more efficiently using visible light. Its light-trapping cavity and proton-shuttling shell could open new possibilities for cleaner chemical manufacturing and artificial photosynthesis.
- Scientists twist crystal layers and reshape...on August 3, 2026 at 4:36 am
Researchers have found a way to build much larger “twisted” oxide materials while precisely controlling how their atomic layers line up. Because these materials can be made over large areas and transferred onto different surfaces, the technique could help turn twistronics from a laboratory curiosity into a practical platform for next-generation electronics.
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Here are links to pages about closely related subjects.
Innovation Mathematics
Science Research, Discovery
Technology Invention, Intellectual Property
Commerce Entrepreneurship, Product
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1. The resources on this page are are organized by a classification scheme developed exclusively for Cosma.
2. The content on this page was partially inspired by serving as Project Manager for the Engineering Career System as well as designer and instructor of a special experimental section of ENGR 195C: Engineering Career Development for Engineering Research and Information Systems in Freshman Engineering at Purdue University. That content came in handy and was expanded upon while redesigning and teaching the course Introduction to Educational Robotics while serving as a core faculty member in the graduate Technology in Education program at Lesley University.
