Definition of Technology Exhibits
In summary, a technology exhibit is one where the development of a useful product, device, process or environment was the primary goal of the exhibitor. The development should be driven by identifiable needs, as unlike science which exists to serve truth, technology exists to serve human need.
Data gathered would be for the purpose of determining the characteristics, design, configuration or operating parameters for optimum performance. However, the product, system or environment which was developed should work!
Development
'Development' is a key concept in technology, as shown by the history of most of the 'technologies' we use today, and in what we expect to be developed in the future. The process of development is related to an identified a need or opportunity.
A project showing the development of a product, process or environmental would:
- include sufficient documentation (plans, models, notes, etc.) to verify the development process of the 'solution'
- show that each stage of development the performance (of the various prototypes) was evaluated by valid tests against criteria important to the intended end-users
- have a range of technological aspects which were measured or estimated; for example:
- efficiency
- optimisation
- reliability
- economy of operation (including energy efficiency
- safety, including fail-safe features
- safe performance 'envelope'
- working life / MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure)
- cost-effectiveness
- use of most appropriate materials (especially in relation to its working environment)
- environmental 'soundness' -that its development, future production and/or disposal would not cause environmental damage or long-term degradation
- working environment range
- ease of use (by user with a range of abilities)
- ergonomics
- aesthetics... etc.
- uses specialist assistance where appropriate, with acknowledgement.