Computers

Computer engineering is now the most rapidly grow­ing field. The electronics of computers involve engineers in design and manufacture of memory systems, of cen­tral processing units, and of peripheral devices. The field of computer science is closely related to computer engi­neering; however, the task of making computers more «intelligent» (artificial intelligence), through creation of sophisticated programs or development of higher level machine languages or other means, is generally regarded as the aim of computer science.

One current trend in computer engineering is micro­miniaturization. Engineers try to place greater and greater numbers of circuit elements onto smaller and

Reader

smaller chips. Another trend is towards increasing the speed of computer operations through the use of parallel processors and superconducting materials.

Mechanical Engineering

Engineers in this field design, test, build, and oper­ate machinery of all types; they also work on a variety of manufactured goods and certain kinds of structures. The field is divided into (1) machinery, mechanisms, materials, hydraulics, and pneumatics; and (2) heat as applied to engines, work and energy, heating, ventilat­ing, and air conditioning. The mechanical engineer, therefore, must be trained in mechanics, hydraulics, and thermodynamics and must know such subjects as metallurgy and machine design. Some mechanical en­gineers specialise in particular types of machines such as pumps or steam turbines. A mechanical engineer de­signs not only the machines that make products but the products themselves, and must design for both economy and efficiency. A typical example of modern mechani­cal engineering is the design of a car or an agricultural machine.

Safety Engineering

This field of engineering has as its object the preven­tion of accidents. In recent years safety engineering has become a speciality adopted by individuals trained in other branches of engineering. Safety engineers develop methods and procedures to safeguard workers in hazard­ous occupations. They also assist in designing machin­ery, factories, ships and roaos, suggesting alterations and improvements to reduce the possibility of accident.

Reader

In the design of machinery, for example, the safety en-1 gineer try to cover all moving parts or keep them from I accidental contact with the operator, to put cutoff I switches within reach of the operator and to eliminate f dangerous sharp parts. In designing roads the safety engineer seeks to avoid such hazards as sharp turns and blind intersections that lead to traffic accidents.