Glossary

adaptation: the process of adjusting or altering to fit new conditions or purposes

aesthetics: concerned with the qualities of appearance; visual appeal; good taste; beauty

biotechnology: the technique of using living materials or systems, including micro-organisms, to perform chemical processing, such as waste recycling, or to produce other materials, such as cheese or antibiotics; also the process of using genetic techniques to modify organisms

circuit: a complete route or path through which a current or communication channel can flow; the apparatus through which current passes

context: conditions or situations which precede or follow an event and help fix its meaning and give it coherence

cost-effectiveness: the provision of effective benefit in relation to the cost involved

critical path: sequence of stages, marking transition points, and determining the time needed for a project

design: preliminary conception or plan; development of specifications necessary to execute plans

electronics: the branch of technology concerned with the development and application of circuits or systems using electron devices, including magnetic amplifiers, transistors

efficiency: the ratio of useful work achieved to the amount of effort and resources used

environment: all external conditions and influences affecting the life or development of a person or organism

ergonomics: the study of the relationship between people and their environment, especially the equipment they use

feedback: information gained as a result of tests

graphics: the process or art of drawing in accordance with mathematical rules; design and decoration involving typography

interconnectivity: capacity to connect components or systems; having reciprocal links

model: a representation, often on a small scale, of a proposed structure; simplified description or plan of a system or design to assist calculations and predictions

modification: a partial alteration to a structure or system, usually to make it more efficient, without changing its essential character

modularisation: the development of standardised parts or independent units for assembly especially within construction, manufacturing, or electronic systems

needs: requirements; conditions or circumstances motivating some course of action

opportunities: favourable circumstances for action; good chances for achieving an end or purpose

optimisation: gaining the best or most favourable outcome

process: a series of actions, taking place in a planned manner, that produce a change or development, especially a series of regular operations in manufacture

process industry: an industry based on the processing of fluid or bulk resources into other products. Examples are the chemical and petrochemical industries.

product: an object, plan, or service produced by effort, natural process, manufacture, or operation; a result or consequence

production: a term generally associated with manufacturing, where materials are shaped and assembled according to a systematic plan

promotion: the action taken to communicate with, inform, and gain support from a client or consumer

reflection: reconsideration; the action of turning or fixing thoughts on some subject; an act of concentrated thinking

reliability: probability that a system will not fail

resources: a supply or source of support; stock that can be drawn on; inventiveness; ingenuity

robot: an automated machine that can be programmed to perform a variety of specific mechanical functions

robotics: the technology of designing, building, controlling, and using robots (q.v.)

robust: the ability of a system to work under changing conditions

specification: an organised, detailed description of the criteria for construction, appearance, performance and so on, in relation to some projected work or construction

system: a set of things or parts connected, associated, or interdependent so as to form a complete unity; a whole composed of parts in an orderly arrangement according to some plan