Communications to the Academy by its members

21 Oct Large Socio-Technical Systems

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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2013
Large, networked Socio-Technical Systems (or LSTSs), often continental or even global in scale, such as railroad-, air traffic-, electric-, and telecommunications systems, and the internet, have modified life-styles and society. Citizens see them as combining sciences and technologies, offering essential value-for-money services. They have common characteristics: expected safe and no-break service quality; co-operation of a myriad of component parts, including agents. Success and vulnerability through complexification (national and European regulations, multiplication for each LSTS of autonomous agents) and inter-dependence (inroads by ICTs, liberalisation) go hand-in-hand. During the past 15 years, the drafting of new regulatory texts that promote sustainable development of the LSTSs, incorporating technical trends while reconciling local aspirations and nation-wide issues, has become increasingly difficult. NATF proposes: 1) An objective analysis of the experience from the last 20 years for each LSTS, covering operations, quality, costs, jobs, risk control, governance and regulation, crises situations/incidents and the degrees of interdependence with other LSTSs. 2) Exploring possible (global) trends for the next two decades including sustainable development. 3) Teach LSTSs to young people early on for a better appreciation, including of S&T and ongoing innovations. These proposals should contribute to better informed decision processes that benefit our children. Yves BAMBERGER (WP Chair and Draft author) – Scientific counsellor to EDF CEO – Fellow of the NATF
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21 Oct Philosophy of Engineering (Vol II)

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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2011
This is the second volume of a series of papers presented at The Royal Academy of Engineering, for its series on philosophy and engineering. The first part of this volume tackles some deep philosophical issues on which engineering has a bearing. These include the nature of mind and language; conceptual distinctions in science, engineering and common sense; engineering‘s influence on the fundamental categories in nature, and the nature of knowledge.
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18 Oct Engineering the future of water: Review of 2011 discussion series

Posted at 14:32h in - Classification of themes - All, Communications to the Academy by its members, Environment, Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng) by administrateur 0 Comments
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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2012
This report is a summary of proceedings of three meetings organised by Engineering the Future in the Autumn of 2011. The meeting was attended by members of the professional engineering institutions, Fellows of The Royal Academy of Engineering, representatives of industry, government and other relevant organisations.
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18 Oct Hans Werthén – One of Sweden’s most prominent industrialists

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Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering (IVA)
2015
A pamphlet produced by the Hans Werthén Fund at IVA, 2015, 16 pp.
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18 Oct White biotechnology and synthetic biology

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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2012
Biotechnology is the application of S&T to living organisms. White biotechnology (Bio-Based Industries - BBl) uses renewable carbon sources  in fermentation processes to produce food compounds, fuels, specialties and chemical commodities, and plastics.  Synthetic biology (SB) introduces engineering principles into biotechnology, promoting the emergence of a true bio-economy.  Although endowed with a well-developed agriculture and BBI-related research, there are only about a dozen companies engaged in applications of SB to BBl in France, including start-ups, intermediate enterprises, and Total, resulting in few industrial realisations. The sector is considered risky by investors.  A consistent effort to train  engineers and PhD-students in these areas is essential.  Regarding risks, traditional BBI-products must be distinguished from SB-products in specific sectors. Upstream from industrial SB-applications on a large scale, research on the security, safety, ethics, toxicology and ecotoxicology is vital.  The academic SB community self-regulates its conduct in an effort of openness, transparency, anticipation and prevention of potential risks. Working-group leader: Pierre Monsan, director “Toulouse White Biotechnology” and NATF Fellow.
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18 Oct Hydro- and wind power

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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2009
This report describes production and storage conditions of these renewable energies. It provides details of their environmental impacts and layouts its implementation in the world. It discusses political stakes and underlines the need to respect each country’s sovereignty along with the recognition of the role of major international and regional institutions in the durable development of our planet.
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18 Oct Biofuels

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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2010
At the beginning of the 21st century, France has decided to develop its industrial channels related to the production of 1st generation of biofuels, from agricultural fields to transformation plants. These channels include cereal and beet cultures and storage for the production of ethanol as well as colza and sunflowers for the production of vegetal oils. Ethanol and vegetal oils can replace respectively gasoline and diesel after their chemical transformation. Thermochemical processes related to such transformations and their economics are discussed. The report describes also the potential use of agricultural wastes and forestry, which would not compete with the above mentioned agricultural products intended for food. These 2nd generation biofuels are under development and should be operational and in use after 2020.
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18 Oct Making green growth real: UK offshore wind supply chain

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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2011
To learn more about the opportunities and challenges for the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, The Royal Academy of Engineering gathered together leaders from across the industry – developers, suppliers, financiers, policymakers, port owners and education providers – at a roundtable discussion on 11 March 2011. This document summarises the conclusions from that roundtable – making recommendations in four key areas: Infrastructure, Skills, Investment and Health and Safety. In particular, the report recommends that the Government does the following: 1. Support UK businesses that have already secured opportunities within the sector; 2. Engage with businesses planning to enter the market and help them to understand the industry; 3. Explore opportunities for UK companies unaware of the sector, matching gaps in the supply chain to the capabilities of businesses.
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17 Oct For the Engineering Leaders of Tomorrow

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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2011
A report on a pair of lectures by Lord Browne of Madingley, President of the Academy between 2006 and 2011, published to mark the end of his term as President.  The two lectures are on Resources for Humanity, and The Education of the Engineer.
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17 Oct Annual Report 2014

Posted at 13:51h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academic report, by a Commission or a Working Group, Academy’s advice and position paper, Biotechnologies, Co-studies, Communications to the Academy by its members, Demography, Education, Training, Employment, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, Ethics, Information and Communication Technologies, Mobility and Transportation, Other, Other publications, Real Academia de Ingenieria (Spain) (RAI), Research, Technologies, Innovation and Employment, Society and Technology, Technologies and Development for Developing Countries, Technologies and Health, Ten questions and answers on technology topics, Urbanism and Housing, Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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Real Academia de Ingenieria (Spain) (RAI)
2015
 
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