Talking about Engineering: English Vocabulary List

an area of technology that is concerned with the study or use of robots

"Robotics is transforming the modern manufacturing industry."

"Robotics is an exciting field of study focused on the design, construction, and operation of robots."

a machine that can perform tasks automatically

"The spot welding was performed by an industrial robot."

"The robot in our factory can assemble over five hundred cars every single day."

a machine or device that detects any changes in the environment and sends the information to other electronic devices

"The motion sensor detected movement and turned on the light."

"A charge-coupled device is a type of light sensor found in a digital camera"

the branch of physics and electrical engineering that focuses on designing circuits that use transistors and microchips

"Electronics uses microchips."

"The repair shop specializes in fixing consumer electronics such as smartphones laptops and tablets."

advanced and sophisticated use of cutting-edge scientific and engineering principles

"High technology uses new principles."

"The company invested heavily in high technology to improve its manufacturing efficiency and product quality."

a branch of engineering that applies principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport, and transform energy and materials

"Chemical engineering uses many sciences."

"Chemical engineering is a discipline that profoundly influences the world beyond just oil and gas; a chemical engineer might design the massive-scale fermentation process needed to grow the yeast that creates a revolutionary new synthetic meat product."

a field of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and repair of buildings, bridges, roads, etc.

"Civil engineering builds bridges."

"Civil engineering is responsible for the infrastructure that supports modern urban life, like bridges and highways."

a branch of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism

"Electrical engineering studies electricity."

"A degree in electrical engineering is essential for designing and maintaining complex power grids."

a branch of engineering that involves the design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems

"Mechanical engineering designs systems."

"Mechatronics is the exciting intersection of mechanical engineering and electronics"

a device used for connecting two pieces of equipment that are not compatible with each other

"The adapter connects devices."

"You will need a universal adapter to connect your foreign electronics to the local power outlets."

a device that detects or measures light, commonly used to automatically control lighting or to trigger other electronic devices based on changes in ambient light levels

"The photocell detects light."

"The streetlights automatically turn on at dusk thanks to a sensitive photocell that detects diminishing light."

a branch of science and engineering that deals with the mechanical properties of liquids, particularly their behavior in confined spaces and under pressure

"Hydraulics uses liquid pressure."

"Hydraulics is a system that uses an incompressible fluid under pressure to transmit power; in a car's brake system"

machines, especially large ones, considered collectively

"The machinery is loud."

"The factory floor was filled with the hum and clatter of advanced manufacturing machinery working tirelessly."

the study of working with incredibly tiny materials and devices to create new technologies and applications

"Nanotechnology uses tiny materials."

"Nanotechnology involves working with materials at the scale of individual atoms and molecules which is incredibly small."

the use of machines and computers in a production process that was formerly operated by people

"Automation uses machines now."

"Robotic process automation has significantly reduced the time needed to handle customer requests."

a flat rubber, plastic, or metal ring which is small and acts as a seal or is put between a nut and a bolt to tighten their connection

"The washer is a ring."

"A small metal washer was placed between the bolt and the nut to ensure a secure connection."

a process of joining two materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by melting them with high heat and allowing them to cool and fuse

"Arc welding involves melting metal with an electric arc."

"Friction stir welding is a solid-state joining process that uses a non-consumable rotating tool to soften and mix the two workpieces together"