Module: 5 Emerging Technologies (Electric Vehicles)

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Module 5: Emerging Technology

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles are vehicles that use a motor, which is usually powered through means of electricity instead of the use of internal combustion to operate. A battery often operates these types of vehicles, batteries that are rechargeable through plug in or even solar powered. Due to the life of the battery, there are still factors limiting electric vehicles, therefore often relatively small, aerodynamic, light and also tremendously efficient. However, other efficient factors surrounding this is the recharging of its battery life when braking occurs through friction on its rotors and brake pads. Electric vehicle vehicles are the best produce vehicles by far when it came to automobile standards where they create extremely low emissions when operating.

These are some of the things that often differentiate a single brand from another when it comes to electric vehicles.

 Vehicle Range: Vehicle range would often relate to the vehicle distance, in terms of it being driven beforehand and being recharged. With vehicle range the main problem is its charging out-let or also known as charging stations which isn’t available for the public.

Driving: Electric vehicles are often fun driving, however there are major concerns about electric vehicle acceleration. Some electric vehicles would clock an accelerating time of 0 – 30mph, but problems at 30 – 60mph. These newly produced electric vehicles are proposed for driving at areas which have a lot of traffic lights example; in town centers where traffic lights are used often.

Batteries: In an electric vehicle there are different types of batteries used in terms of its battery brand. Batteries such as Alkaline are disposable which we use in gadgets such as TV remote controls, cameras or even toys and these types of batteries uses manganese oxide and also zinc which are not rechargeable. Batteries that contain lead acid are basically which use a mixture of sulfuric acid and lead. Till this very day these lead acid batteries are still in use, which is often used to power up accessories within a vehicle like wipers and even headlights. Lead acid batteries also have the ability to be recharged through means of connecting charging cables to both the thermals, which then creates electrical current. Batteries that operate on an electric vehicle manage everything in the vehicle, therefore it is required to operate and carry massive amount of energy for a very long time. Charging of an electric vehicle battery will defiantly take a lot of time and it is often a slow process.

Here are three types of batteries that can power or operate an electric vehicle.

1.    Lithium-ion Batteries

2.    Lead Acid Batteries

3.    Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries

(Source: Jim Ellis Eco – Friendly. By Jim Ellis Green. Retrieved: 13^th November 2012. http://www.jimellisgreen.com/new-inventory/electric-vehicles.htm)

Emerging Technologies Such As Electric Vehicles Are Needed

The reason why people say more electric vehicles should be out there or even have internal combustion engines replace is due to the fact that electric vehicles is the cleanest, cost effective vehicle to operate on in terms of transportation. With this newly developed there isn’t a need for oil changes, repairs only if suspensions fails in which they would need replacement and therefore electric vehicles don’t need spark plugs to ignite to create spark to start a vehicle. These new technology electric motors have the capability of giving very powerful boost in terms of engine speed.

(Source: howstuffworks? By Seth Leitman, Planet Green. Retrieved: 13^th November 2012. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-cars-clean-efficient6.htm)

Now day’s vehicles that operate on internal combustion engines do not create renewable energy source because they are only powered through means of fuel and oil. In the future, it’s believed that all vehicles’ that operate on internal combustion engines will soon be decommissioned, therefore leaving electric vehicles.

(Source: Electric Vehicle Zero Emissions. Retrieved: 14^th November 2012. http://ev.ulysses.co.nz/)

 

Safety of Electric Vehicles

It is important to understand electric vehicles and their safety since anyone who purchases an electric vehicle is dealing with extremely high voltage. For electric vehicles to be given permission to be driven on the road they must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and also a tests called a pass crash to determined its standards meet internationally for driver and also passenger standards. One of these safety requirements is protection against flooding. Electric vehicle batteries are designed for the purpose of opposing or resisting foreign substance when it comes in contact. However, if foreign substance does interact or comes in contact with the battery the device deactivates automatically. Manufacturers are also required to have their electric vehicle engines marked so that high voltage technicians who are trained to work on any fault are notified.

(Source: Jim Ellis Eco – Friendly. By Jim Ellis Green. Retrieved: 13^th November 2012. http://www.jimellisgreen.com/new-inventory/electric-vehicles.htm)

Electric Vehicles & It’s Environmental Impacts

Even though vehicles such as electric cars are beginning to replace gasoline engine vehicles, they are still at liability to create environmental problems though being powered by electric motors. Such environmental problem created is through its battery source. We all agree that new designed electric vehicles are perfect, but as mentioned recently they do create pollution. Charging of an electric vehicle is often achieved through means of a plug in is connected through a grid which releases fossil fuel burning. Till this day developers of electric vehicles are finding it hard to break through barriers as to finding solutions to produce effective and also affordable batteries so that electric vehicles can be powered on the road instead of having fuel burners used.   

(Source: Curiosity.com. By Science Channel. Retrieved: 16^th November 2012. http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/electric-car-batteries-environmental-impacts).

Recently a break through in science brought about a problem of having batteries such as lead being used to power electric vehicle. “Smelting and recycling the lead for these batteries will result in substantial releases of lead to the environment” with this break through researchers matched its efficiency along with its power and its effects on the environment with both vehicles operated with petrol and electric. This breaks through saw that electric vehicles operating release substantial amount of lead into the environment. Electric vehicle batteries that are created or produced brand new would discharge 60 times more then a normal petrol vehicle that operates on lead.

(Source: Lead Action News. By Ann Gethin. Retrieved: 16^th November 2012. http://www.lead.org.au/lanv3n2/lanv3n2-6.html). 

Future Impacts on Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles now days isn’t much of a new technology since they were produced 100 years ago, however due to the decrease in electric vehicles in the past is due to its competition over which was better in the time having internal combustion engines. With global warming becoming an increasingly awareness, many people look to electric vehicles hoping it may decrease its impact on the environment we live in and it has. Now days with electric vehicles produced and operating on roads sees a brighter future and also gives a positive global warming solution. In order to prevent this increasingly dangerous growing problem, we all need to being about changes in terms travelling. With the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the environment, it is essential that we look after our own environment and look to the future by not using oil and gases but continue to merge into the future with the solution that has put in place to prevent global warming which is operating electric vehicles. With new technologies merging, the newest transformation for a vehicle is its ability to change from gas operating system and a electric hybrid to a system where plug in for electric vehicles, however in order to achieve such a change a conversion kit needs to be added. With is new development the vehicle has the ability to operate at greater distance of up to 100 kilometers when it is charged up without the need and its use of fuel to operate.  

(Source: Carbon Diet. Retrieved: 16^th November 2012. http://www.carbondiet.ca/green_advice/transportation/electric_car.html)

Conclusion

It is important that we look after our environment and understands the dangers of global warming caused by the increasing amount of oil and gases released into the environment. Through this assignment I have learnt that having electric vehicles in the future and replacing vehicles such as internal combustion engines can really improve global warming crises. With the amount of emission eliminated and electric vehicle operating health risk and so on can be reduced. Electric vehicles tends to be the solution to our future in terms of cleaner operating vehicle, however there are downsides to this product which is its lead packed batteries used to run a electric vehicle. At the moment there isn’t a solution into reducing the amount of lead released from an electric vehicle battery but I believe that there is a solution to everything we do and produce. Moving from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles tends to affect some people since this product is relatively expensive and also has high maintenance as only trained professionals will be able to repair such problem if required too due to its extremely high voltage. Therefore the looks to the future for electric vehicles will most definitely be a success and having zero emission is simply the best way to go about in travelling.

Class Debate on Electric Vehicles

• Price of a electric vehicle tends to be really expensive since batteries used to operate these vehicles only last up to a certain period of time like 3 to 4 years only.

• Recharging a electric vehicle tends to be a major problem. This is due to the fact that when charging these batteries they take relatively long to get them fully charged. This also cause problems if while driving the battery dies out and a recharging station is not located close by.

• Electric vehicles are not meant for long distance driving but only for short distance, mostly useful at town centers where traffic lights often require vehicles to stop and go and with electric vehicles they operate faster.

• People who purchase electric vehicles will face problems if they do not have a garage where they can recharge their vehicles and if parked out on streets there is no direct access to any power source.  

• Electric vehicle tend to pollute the environment even though they are known to be clean and emission free. Electric vehicles release lead and fumes into the air when they operate due to extremely high pressure and heat. 

• Electrice vehicles also have a problem with weight due to its weight this tends to slow the vehicle down due to its amount of force needed from the battery. 

Reference

(Source: Carbon Diet. Retrieved: 16^th November 2012. http://www.carbondiet.ca/green_advice/transportation/electric_car.html)

(Source: Lead Action News. By Ann Gethin. Retrieved: 16^th November 2012. http://www.lead.org.au/lanv3n2/lanv3n2-6.html). 

(Source: Curiosity.com. By Science Channel. Retrieved: 16^th November 2012. http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/electric-car-batteries-environmental-impacts).

(Source: Jim Ellis Eco – Friendly. By Jim Ellis Green. Retrieved: 13^th November 2012. http://www.jimellisgreen.com/new-inventory/electric-vehicles.htm)

(Source: Electric Vehicle Zero Emissions. Retrieved: 14^th November 2012. http://ev.ulysses.co.nz/)

(Source: howstuffworks? By Seth Leitman, Planet Green. Retrieved: 13^th November 2012. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-cars-clean-efficient6.htm)

Module 4: Cultures and Technologies

Module 4: Cultures & Technology

Comparing Tongan Culture with Maori Culture

Maori History

Maori are Polynesians who are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Maori therefore embraces only 14% of New Zealand’s population. The native language Maori people uses are called Te reo Maori. Te reo Maori is a language is often the same as native speakers of Hawaiian and also Tahitian. In the 9^th century, Maori people from Polynesia migrated in their very own canoes till the 13 century AD. It is believed that the very first European person that came in contact with indigenous Maori people was a man named Abel Tasman who was a Dutch navigator. Since contact with Maori people in the year 1642, four of Abel Tasman’s crew was killed. In the year 1769, captain James Cook a British explorer came in contact with the Maori people of New Zealand and made friends and through this relationship began to emerge and this resulted in more foreign ships that were Europeans in the year 1800’s. The Maori population took a massive drop of 100,000 people, due the fast spread of diseases and also war. 1840 was the year where a Treaty of Waitangi was signed between New Zealand Maori chiefs and Britain, however the Treaty that was signed had rules which gave them the rights to their own Maori land and also gave Maori British citizenships.

The theory behind the Maori origin are still being questioned, this is due to the fact that legends say Maori people came from a place called Hawaiki a homeland 1000 years ago which was a legendary land. Till this very day people still assume that homeland Maori people came from called Hawaiki was close to Hawaii and other people assume that the legendary homeland has been submerged underwater due to sea leave. Immediately then Maori people arrive in New Zealand, there was a difference to land unlike in Polynesia where they often live in the tropics so adapting to a colder yet bigger area in terms of land was needed. Several people believe that New Zealand was found mistakenly due to navigations problems or through chance.

(Source: Virtual New Zealand. Retrieved: 5^th November, 2012. http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/culture/maori/)

Maori Traditions/Culture

Before white man came into New Zealand only Maori languages were pasted from generation to generation, which would include songs known as waiata along with legends. Back then the indigenous Maori people had Kings and Queens. Till this varies day Maori people would honor a tradition they had for many years called the Haka, which represents a war dance. Before war Maori people would perform the Haka just before a war starts in the last century. When greeting a Powhiri is performed which is traditional in Maori culture, however this would often involve something we call a Hongi where two people pressing each other’s nose.

Another Maori culture is tattoos tattooed to their entire face; Moko’s are often done on male only. Where as female Moko’s were they are only allowed to be tattooed to their upper lip area, chin and nostrils. Till today the Moko we see still continues to live through generations, where they can be connected through identity and culture. Maori’s have traditional ways when it comes to cooking. It is known as Hangi. Hangi is when feast is cooked in the earth. How this is achieved is through heated stones in a fire are being dragged out of the fire pit and with cabbage leaves are used to cover the stones in order to prevent the burning of food. Food stock example chicken or potatoes are then placed in the burning pit through means of a basket. The Maori Hangi way of cooking still exists and till this day it is still being used during barbecue events.

(Source: Virtual New Zealand. Retrieved: 5^th November 2012. http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/culture/maori/)

Maori Social Viewing Points

In every society there is often a negative and also a positive impact on any technology. Here are a few technologies that have impacted the Maori society.

·      Crime Rate for Maori Increase: Each and everyone in this world have what it takes to benefit when it comes to technology being used. Young generations are having their future being completely destroyed due to impacts on technology. Take for example cell phones, now days we tend to see younger kids using cell phones, which they aren’t supposed to be using or having one. This modern technology has caused young kids to act immaturely. With the use of cell phones, it is believed that there are increasingly high rate of suicide cases. Assessing the percentage amount of suicides being committed and what ages along with race is yet to be confirmed.

·      Creation of Future & Cultural Shock: With technology speed, information is being sent so fast that there is often reflection is slow and little time is taken to prepare. Receiving messages for people tend to be super fast and through this, they are delivered in a lot of ways. When we look at older people or elderly people, information they receive tend to be slow therefore reaction is slow which basically means they can’t track of what’s happening around them. Through this stress is being created along with confession since older people or elderly’s take time to adjust to things. Due to this shock takes place takes place along with health problems arising, which often take away and shorten their life spend.

(Source: Tevita e-Portfolio on Societal Context. By Andy Pivac. Retrieved: 6^th November. 2012. http://tevita6114.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/technology-and-maori-society.html).

Comparing Maori with Other Indigenous Society

Their Similarities to Each Other

The similarity between Maori and Tongan people is quite the same. Tonga is believed to be known as a word, which means south in a number of languages relating to Polynesian saying. Some believe just like the Maori’s they were originally from Samoa, sailing across the Pacific and finally settling in Tonga least 500 B.C ago. Like the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand; Tonga had a King. Sighting of Tonga was again founded in 1616 by a Dutch navigator.

(Source: The History of Tonga. Retrieved: 6^th November 2012. http://www.factrover.com/history/Tonga_history.html)

Monarchy & Language

The system between Maori and the Tongan seems to be the same. Throughout the entire Pacific Tongan people has achieved a milestone, which is having a monarchy King in those days. The monarchy King in Tonga has stayed the same though views in terms politics has slightly change. Equivalent to the Maori people of New Zealand its code in any changes remained the same, which therefore they have a King and Queen. Apart from speaking in English like other societies, they both have their own language, which they speak. Different societies have different languages.

Their Difference from Each Other

When it comes to the identity in terms of culture it tends to be different along with their language they speak. Let’s not forget that these are two entirely different societies. In things like social practices they tend to be also different take for example; special ceremonies that are being held and also funerals along with weddings. The difference when it comes to making traditional things like making baskets or mat weaving they tend to have their vary own methods, not forgetting entrainment like their own traditional dance, what they wear for dancing and also its music.

Conclusion

To conclude in this assignment it is amazing to find and understand that Maori people have different cultures, belief, tradition and so on. It was surprising to found out during this assignment that Maori’s actually came across from Polynesia and settled in New Zealand. I have learnt in this assignment that any two societies in this world may have similarities and also have differences. With more time spent on this assignment it would be a massive boost to my knowledge as to learning more about the indigenous people of New Zealand known as Maori’s.

Reference

(Source: Tevita e-Portfolio on Societal Context. By Andy Pivac. Retrieved: 6^th November. 2012. http://tevita6114.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/technology-and-maori-society.html).

(Source: The History of Tonga. Retrieved: 6^th November 2012. http://www.factrover.com/history/Tonga_history.html)

(Source: Virtual New Zealand. Retrieved: 5^th November 2012. http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/culture/maori/)

Module 3: Ethics (Business Ethics)

Module 3: Ethics

Business Ethics

Recognizing Ethical Situations in a Business

When we look at ethics it is basically the concept and also the principles of human conduct, this also includes universal values both either in men or women and human rights. Respecting along with obeying the laws of land, worry of each and everyone’s health and safety and also the environment. In this assignment we’ll be looking at business ethics, business ethics can simply be described as how a business behaves when it comes to dealing with other countries in world. Business ethics do not only apply to businesses but to customers through a one on one encounter. Through out the years a lot of businesses through out have brought amongst themselves a bad reputation that has driven their businesses to the ground. Large number of people considers opening a business cause of money making, which is basically the outline of having a business. Operating a business and making money isn’t against the law, however manner in any business conduct brings about ethical behavior. In every business having excellent business ethics plays a vital role and also extremely important. Most business around the world, including famous bands that are being used by its public isn’t mush of good business ethics. Companies, businesses using other company brand names has been sued and also resulted in substantial fines of up to millions due to the breaching ethical business laws. Large number of businesses have breached anti trust along with environmental and ethical laws and had to face court, which have resulted over millions of dollar fines. Anti trust laws is basically a law that’s placed to promote free competition within the market place for business and companies.   

(Source: Wise Geek. By Kenneth W. Michael Wills. Retrieved: 17^th November 2012. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-problems-in-business-ethics.htm)

Recognizing Ethical Situation Customer Service

Businesses everywhere tends to deal with customers and it is vital for its development in a business. In order to keep the reputation of a business or company it is best to have a policy where honesty to customers is the top priority. As a customer service reprehensive making promises to customers is often an ethical issue where promises that are made are not delivered upon. Most ethical situations we tend to see are businesses and companies thinking losing a customer will most definitely make them lose money, but they never realize that their business and company reputation is at state. Most companies and customer service reprehensive tend to lie though they do not have the ability to do so. Having honest customer service will surely gain their respect and also their business in the future. Sometimes bad customer service is achievable where customers tend to stand inline waiting for customer service or having a rude, not well-mannered person or an not well groomed person serving you. All this will reflect on the business and what it has to offer.

(Source: Business Ethics and Customer Service. By Samuel Johnstein. Retrieved: 17^th November 2012. http://ezinearticles.com/?Business-Ethics-and-Customer-Service&id=5005677)

      

Recognizing Ethical Situations at Workplace

Applying workplace ethics is vital to any working environment. It is the code of conduct that brings about inspiration to improvement and growth of ethical culture. Ethics the code of conduct at a working environment motivates and also boost employee communication, through this it acknowledges a persons respect allowing better customer relationships that are often the most important with integrity and honesty. There are two very vital factors that surround workplace ethics; workplace policy has to be in harmony along with regulations and laws, which are presently placed in force by authorities in every business, which are being operated. With this law in place it helps to help to prevent discrimination during work and also helps firing and unfair hiring practices in a workplace. Most employers or employees treat workers differently this usually comes down to them being gay, their skin color, religion and believes. Everyday people at work are treated unfairly which brings about ethical practice at work. If people continue to be treated unfair it may very well devastate morale. Usually we are treated unfairly through accident but sometimes a deliberate act and till this day at times treating a person at work unfairly is known to be illegal.

(Source: Helium. By Jen Thorpe. Retrieved: 17^th November 2012. http://www.helium.com/items/801741-employment-law-unfair-treatment-at-work)

Some employees tend to use company time as their personal use from chatting with friends over the phone, the use of company’s computers, etc. Some people tend to take credit for the things they didn’t do. As team players we all should be given credit for hard work and not be taken from someone. Everyday harassment at workplace is done and this is usually done on women. When a co-worker sites harassment whether sexually, physically or even mentally they worry about their jobs if they were to report such act and maybe conceded as a trouble maker at work.

(Source: Chron. By: Don Rafner. Retrieved: 17^th November, 2012 http://smallbusiness.chron.com/common-ethical-workplace-dilemmas-748.html)

          

Existing Economic Survival

In every business or company the most important thing is the economic development, which is its backbone in business. We all know that education is therefore very essential so that economical development can be achieved. Majority of people in the organization deprive to education and through this, it teaches them basic life skills along with how growth and strategies can be put in place and also survival in the economy. Through this, tension begins to unfold. As the day changes every now and then the survival rules tends to change, survival that of ordinary livelihood where getting a maintaining a business and getting a job becomes extremely hard. In a business people can’t stop changes since every business that are operating tends to make money. We all need to learn to knowledge these new changes since governments apply pressure on businesses to change. Most of these economical things change really quick which puts us in a position where we not ready to handle. The knowledge for the present seems untouched when it comes to education for economic survival. If we do not act now and practice there is relatively a high chance that in the future education being taught to our children will be a problem.

(Source: IIEMT. By: Suresh Nair. Retrieved: 18^th November 2012. http://www.iiemt.org/article-economic-survival.html)

     

Conclusion

Having good work and business ethics is essential to any business or company, whether is a big or small company it is important. Having good business ethics can really boost business dealings with customers and this also creates a window of opportunity to expend and grow its business. Having good workplace ethics can help prevent problems in the future with co workers and also helps communication in a working environment become more exciting where both parties respect each other and therefore respects once believe, religion and ethnic background.   

Reference

(Source: IIEMT. By: Suresh Nair. Retrieved: 18^th November 2012. http://www.iiemt.org/article-economic-survival.html)

(Source: Chron. By: Don Rafner. Retrieved: 17^th November, 2012 http://smallbusiness.chron.com/common-ethical-workplace-dilemmas-748.html)

(Source: Helium. By Jen Thorpe. Retrieved: 17^th November 2012. http://www.helium.com/items/801741-employment-law-unfair-treatment-at-work)

(Source: Business Ethics and Customer Service. By Samuel Johnstein. Retrieved: 17^th November 2012. http://ezinearticles.com/?Business-Ethics-and-Customer-Service&id=5005677)

(Source: Wise Geek. By Kenneth W. Michael Wills. Retrieved: 17^th November 2012. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-problems-in-business-ethics.htm)