How Science Is Applied in Technology

Abstract

Distinctive to basic sciences, scientific research in advanced technologies aims to explain, predict, and (mathematically) describe, not phenomena in nature, but phenomena in technological artefacts, thereby producing knowledge that is utilized in technological design. This article first explains why the covering-law view of applying science is inadequate for characterizing this research practice. Instead, the covering-law approach and causal explanation are integrated in this practice. Ludwig Prandtl's approach to concrete fluid flows is used as an example of scientific research in the engineering sciences. A methodology of distinguishing between regions in space or phases in time that show distinct physical behaviours is specific to this research practice. Accordingly, two types of models specific to the engineering sciences are introduced. The diagrammatic model represents the causal explanation of physical behaviour in distinct spatial regions or time phases; the nomo-mathematical model represents the phenomenon in terms of a set of mathematically formulated laws.

Implementation and innovation in total synthesis

“…This focus on mathematically oriented disciplines has led to some important insights, but it has also led to some distortions. Specifically, accounts of the applications of science have centered on the role of approximations and idealizations in the procrustean effort to find mathematical descriptions of (or laws governing) systems of practical interest (see Boon 2006 andCartwright 1976 for examples). As a partial remedy for this, I have attempted to provide a general account of how the theory of organic chemistry underwrites the process of designing and implementing a synthetic plan.…”

Understanding Scientific Practices: The Role of Robustness Notions

“…Is this ok? AQ5 " Ackermann , 1985;Boon 2006;Cartwright 1989Cartwright , 1999Chang 2004;Dupré 1993;Orzack and Sober 1993;Woodward 1992;Galison 1987;Galison and Stump 1996;Mayo 1996;Giere 1988;Ladyman 2002" are not cited in the text part. Please provide citations.…”

Understanding Scientific Study via Process Modeling

“…On the other hand, scientific models try to describe the physical situation as accurately as possible. When scientists found that there are inadequacies in their scientific models, they may try to improve them by incorporating more domain-specific technical knowledge to make their scientific models more realistic (Boon, 2006), or they may develop a new theory with a new set of related scientific models as an alternative to the existing ones.…”

“…The focus of many engineering research works is to find better solutions to a technical problem (Boon, 2006). These solutions may involve some mathematical techniques or experimental know-how.…”

“…These two processes are added in order to account for applied science (Boon, 2006;Morrison, 2006) that applies known scientific models and theories to solve practical, technical research problems. As Boon (2006) In Figure 8, three processes, with the label "has", are added in the unified process model in order to relate the theory and scientific model entities with the problem entity. These three processes describe the case when the theory, scientific model and experiment entities have unresolved problems.…”