User:Lbrown/grandchallenges
Contents
Product Development
Guidelines for Evaluating New Technologies for Infection Control
This article explains the process of implementing new technologies for infection control. Although the article focusses on controlling infections in a hospital, the guidelines can be applied to computer virus control. Initially the Infection Preventionist (IP) will need to consider the following: cost per use; acceptance of patients and staff; impact on the environment; hidden cost; public relations benefit; excitement factor; material compatibility; operator safety and expertise; support, assurances and warranties of suppliers; mobility; user directions. Next a cost-benefit analysis will need to be completed. Finally the rate of infection reduction will need to be evaluated.
A similar analysis should be applied, whenever a solution oriented technology is proposed for solving a societal issue.
Discussion Questions
- What are the long term effects of the product on the environment?
- What materials are used to make the product?
- Are the product materials decomposable or biodegradable?
- What is the expiration or shelf life of the product?
- Who will be the targeted consumer?
- How will the product be delivered to consumers?
- How will the product be marketed to consumers?
- Are there any other products that can be used to compliment the product?
- What is the cost per unit for creating the technology?
- How many units will be needed to solve the societal issue?
- What is the rate of production?
- What product assurances or warranties will be available?
- Will there be a money back guarantee / refund option?
- Will a replacement option be available for the defective or expired product?
- What will be the cost of the product warranty?
- How will user confidence be measured and tracked?
- How much of a financial burden will taxpayers have to absorb?
- Are there any other corporate funding streams available to finance production?
- Describe the team of experts responsible for the design and production of the product?
- What type of training will be available for the product design, production and distribution team?
- Has a product patent been secured for the product?
- Has the product passed government safety regulations (eg. Food and drug administration; Department of Transportation; Environmental Protection Agency)?
Global Grand Challenges
Grand Challenges for Engineering
Advance health informatics
In A futuristic computer to revolutionize personal Medicine, Mangan (2016) reports on a recent technological "The Machine" super computer project. The Machine will use and calculate genes, diseases, personal behaviors and treatment history data sets from patients all over the world. The project will require that memory be installed in the center of the computer, instead of a processor.
Key Words: Advance Health Informatics - the acquisition, management, and use of information in health
Discussion Questions
Often times, people do not want to disclose pre-existing health conditions to potential and existing employers.
- Will the new technological advancement impact or interfere with doctor-patient confidentiality?
“The Machine’s” problem solving abilities will be able to increase life expectancy and survival.
- Will “The Machine’s diagnosis create patient fear or lead to a medical practitioner’s feeling of inadequacy?
Engineer better medicines
Computer Assisted Surgery for ENT: Enhanced Sinus Vision
Artificial Intelligence
Neuroengineer, Ed Boyden explains that the same theory of adding water to a diaper, can also be applied to expanding polymers, images of the brain as well as other chronic diseases in Baby diapers inspired this new way to study the Brain. To achieve this task monomers can be inserted into the brain which will then create a chemical reaction. The monomers will wind themselves around biomolecules, thereby creating polymers. The polymers can then be pulled apart, which in turn will enlarge the image of the brain. Biomolecules will be color coded to identify the different types of biomolecules. The hope is that by enlarging the image of the brain cures for brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy can be created.
Inside the Artificial Intelligence Revolution: A Special Report, Pt. 1video
Will Artificial Intelligence Surpass Our Own?
CIO Explainer: What is Artificial Intelligence?Machine horizon: Three of the most exciting AI developments
Are the robots about to rise? Google's new director of engineering thinks so…
This article consists of an interview conducted with inventor, advocate and recent Google Director of Engineering, Ray Kurzweil. Kurzweil is a believer of the following: immortality; robots taking on a conscious function by 2029; the Turist Test, in which computers can duplicate human thought and behavior; natural-language processing, which focuses on the interaction between computers and human language singularity and the Law of Accelerating Returns. He has invented several artificial intelligence devices and continues to be optimistic in his predictions some of which have already come true, such as cybernific chauffeur also known as the Google driverless car.
Our Fear of Artificial Intelligence
Stephen Hawking warns artificial intelligence could end mankind
Machine Intelligence
The Current State of Machine Intelligence
Leading the New Era of Machine Intelligence
Weinberg (2015) explains the ongoing debate between artificial intelligence and artificial creativity. This video also explains that while neurons in the brain would make synapse connections, a computer would create random algorithms to demonstrate creativity.
Reverse Brain Engineering
Neuroengineer, Ed Boyden (2016) explains that the same theory of adding water to a diaper, can also be applied to expanding polymers, images of the brain as well as other chronic diseases. Baby diapers inspired this new way to study the Brain]. To achieve this task monomers can be inserted into the brain which will then create a chemical reaction. The monomers will wind themselves around biomolecules, thereby creating polymers. The polymers can then be pulled apart, which in turn will enlarge the image of the brain. Biomolecules will be color coded to identify the different types of biomolecules. The hope is that by enlarging the image of the brain cures for brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy can be created. Baby diapers inspired this new way to study the Brain
There is delayed progress of perfecting reverse brain engineering and super computers. This may be because if man achieves too much technological advancement, then man may inadvertently destroy his own species. Another reason may be that resolving issues in reverse brain engineering and super computers are far too complicated and sophisticated to perfect in our lifetime. We don’t fully understand the inter-workings of the human brain. Also, while a computer can be innovative in problem solving, authenticity is lost when we attempt to program a computer to replicate human’s consciousness and creativity
The Most Amazing Race: Reverse-Engineering the Brain
The essential question presented in this article is "How long will it take for computers to exhibit human-level intelligence?" An ongoing debate between Ray Kurzweil and Paul Allen are referenced, addressing predicted time and methodologies to achieve this goal. While Kurzweil believes in the Law of Accelerating Returns, in which a function (e.g. a computer) will take an infinite value by 2045, Allen disagrees with this time for completion. According to Allen brain mapping’s complexity delays progress in achieving the Law of Accelerating Returns computer power.
This article consists of an interview conducted with inventor, advocate and recent Google Director of Engineering, Ray Kurzweil. Kurzweil is a believer of the following: immortality; robots taking on a conscious function by 2029; the Turist Test, in which computers can duplicate human thought and behavior; natural-language processing, which focusses on the interaction between computers and human language singularity and the Law of Accelerating Returns. He has invented several artificial intelligence devices and continues to be optimistic in his predictions some of which have already come true, such as cybernific chauffeur also known as the Google driverless car.
Inside Paul Allen's Plan to Reverse-Engineer The Human Brain
This article consists of an interview conducted with Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, who in 2003 founded the Institute for Brain Science in Seattle. The interview details Allen’s historical interest in brain mapping. This article concludes with Allen’s hope as to future understandings of the brain which involve cell communication, visual system information flow, as well as what occurs in the middle of the brain.
Scientists Begin Work on Reverse-Engineering the Brain
Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science professor, Tai Sing Lee, along with the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC) are leading a research project involving exploration of the brain in relation to visual processing. Their goal is to make computers duplicate human mental processes, which in turn will have positive effects on neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Sandra Kuhlman, Carnegie Mellon University Assistant Professor, is looking to track the neural dynamics within a single region of the brain. Ultimately, the intent of the research is to create machines with more human-like qualities, as well as developing improved learning and pattern recognition computer algorithms.
Sea slug provides new way of analyzing brain data
Bruno, Frost, and Humpries (2015) Sea slug provides new way of analyzing brain data University of Manchester Graduate Student, Angela Bruno is spearheading a neuron project, along with the other researchers from the University of Manchester and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. By studying the locomotive movement of sea slugs these scientists are better able to understand brain neuron networks at single neuron resolution. Findings revealed that co-active neurons formed large groups.
What follows are multiple articles featuring research spearheaded by Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science professor, Tai Sing Lee, along with the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC); Paul Allen, founder of Institute for Brain Science; Ray Kurzweil, computer scientist and inventor; Eric Kandell, the 2000 Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist; graduate student Angela Bruno, of The University of Manchester.
Discussion Questions
- Will the super computer process advancements truly sustain the human existence and survival? Explain
- What limits if any, should be placed on reverse brain engineering?
- Will the technological advancements of robots and cloning eventually extinguish the need for human kind to reproduce, feel pain and experience emotion? Who will be responsible for managing the supercomputers that might replace a majority of human beings in the future?
- Should lawsuits or complaints be filed against…
- The government, who maintains jurisdiction over technology?
- The engineers or inventor for designing faulty computer software?
- The school that trained the engineers and inventory?
Super Computers may eventually be designed to mimic human thought processes and emotions. Software code is already available to enable a computer to be innovative in problem as well as in deriving solutions.
Discussion Questions
- Should any mental processing limits be placed on super computers? (e.g. consciousness, moral values and creativity)
- Who will be responsible for managing the supercomputers that might replace a majority of human beings in the future?
Advance personalized learning
Environmental Issues
Provide access to clean water
LifeStraw from Vestegaard Frandsen
What you need to know about water and sanitation
5 innovative ways people in the developing world purify their water!
Make Solar Panel Economical
How to make solar energy super efficient
Making Solar Energy Economical
The World’s First Solar Road Is Producing More Energy Than Expected
Demystifying nanocrystal solar cells
New efficiency record for solar hydrogen production is 14 percent
New energy cell can store up solar energy for release at night
POWERWALL Energy Storage for a Sustainable Home
How to make solar energy super efficient
A Material That Could Make Solar Power “Dirt Cheap”
Experts: Solar Power Could Soon Pose Economic Threat to Electric Utilities Importance of Recycling
2013 International Year of Water Coopeation Water Factsheets
Global Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH)
Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure
Goal 4: Build or Retrofit 50 Million Square Feet of Green Buildings
Goal 10: Create 100 Miles of Interconnected Trails
Six Ideas for Fixing the Nation's Infrastructure Problems
Six Ideas for Fixing the Nation's Infrastructure Problems http://www.computerworld.com/article/2557944/security0/ethical-issues-for-it-security-professionals.html Secure Cyberspace
Future of security: From reactive to proactive Ethical issues for IT security professionals
Provide energy from fusion
Develop carbon sequestration methods
Manage the nitrogen cycle
Restore and improve urban infrastructure
Travel
Mars One's Simulation Outpost Alpha describes the first trip to Mars simulation, which will include units for such purposes as living, recreation and food production. Simulation training will consider group dynamics, daily living routines, architecture and technological resources. Simulations will become more complex as the experimental team successfully diagnose and solve subsystem problems. Candidates that successfully overcome challenges, increasing in difficulty will be allowed to travel to Mars for permanent residency. Mars One is currently soliciting city location proposals, with the Arctic’s extreme conditions weather and flat terrain being an ideal simulation location.
Discussion Questions
- What is the air pressure on planet Earth?
- Does air pressure decrease or increase as you rise into the atmosphere? Explain
Enhance virtual reality
Discussion Questions
Imagine being able to travel to another country or planet without ever leaving your home? Where would you go? Why?
Crime
Top Five Computer Crimes & How to Protect Yourself From Them
There are conspiracy theories based on the belief that software companies purposely embed malware within their software programs, to encourage their customers to purchase additional security protection products. Personally I have experienced this situation. I previously purchased a Blackberry. After 2 years of ownership and multiple forced software updates, my cell phone started to malfunction (e.g. calling random people in my contact list; microphone inconsistently working and a drained battery after 30 minutes of use. When I questioned the cell phone company on these sudden incidents of my cell phone malfunctioning, the cell phone company argued that there was no correlation between the software updates and the cell phone being nearly inoperable.
Prevent nuclear terror
Secure cyberspace
Discussion Questions
- Have you had a similar experience with an electronic mobile device? Please explain
- Should countries form a union to police internet use and access?
