There are several engineering resources (core technologies) that are the “building blocks” of all technological systems.

Core Technologies

1. Mechanical Technology2. Structural Technology3. Electrical Technology4. Electronic Technology5. Fluid Technology6. Optical Technology7. Thermal Technology8. Biotechnology9. Materials Technology

Core Technologies

The technology of putting together mechanical parts to produce, control, and transmit motion

Examples: gear systems in a car transmission, brakes on a bicycle, agitator in a washing machine, latch on a door

The technology of putting mechanical parts and materials together to create supports, containers, shelters, connectors, and functional shapes

Example applications: legs on a chair, city water tower, swimming pool, roadways, bridges, storm sewer, airplane wing, satellite antenna disc

The technology of producing, storing, controlling, transmitting and getting work from electrical energy.

Example applications: power plant generator, flashlight, electric motor in a can opener, doorbell, electric heater, hair dryer

The technology of using small amounts of electricity for controlling; detecting; and information collecting, storing, retrieving, processing and communicating

Example applications: thermostat for controlling temperature, a metal detector, video tape recorder, computer, pocket calculator, telephone, radio, television

The technology of using fluid, either gaseous (pneumatics) or liquid (hydraulic) to apply force or to transport.

Example applications: air brakes on a truck, tires on a car, airfoils on an airplane, warm-air heating ducts, hydraulic jack, plumbing in a school

The technology of producing light; using light for information collecting, storing, retrieving, processing and communicating; and using light to do work.

Example applications: light bulb, light-emitting diode, lenses to magnify or reduce, laser speed detector, laser compact disk, fiber-optic telephone communication, laser cutting tools, laser surgical instruments

The technology of producing, storing, controlling, transmitting and getting work from heat energy.

Example applications: furnace, hot water heater, toaster, insulation, heat exchanger, refrigerator, jet engine, hot air balloon

The technology of using, adapting, and altering organisms and biological processes for a desired outcome.

Example applications: stain “eating” enzymes in detergent, bacteria “leaching” of metals from ore, altering plant genes to produce better crops

The technology of producing, altering, and combining materials. Example applications: producing paper from wood, producing aluminum from ore, drilling holes in wood, annealing to soften metal, laminating wood