Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Technology Teacher

Volume

65

Issue

5

Publisher

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Publication Date

2006

First Page

12

Last Page

16

Abstract

The article presents information on the relationship between the logic circuits and the quality of life. The applications of logic circuits are countless. With the flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, people around the world became all too aware of human dependency on technology to manage the forces of nature and maintain a high quality of life. New Orleans' sewage and water control systems depend on water pumps to move sewage, storm-water runoff, and fresh water around the city. Under normal conditions, when it rains in New Orleans, a city that sits below sea level, massive water pumps are automatically engaged, and ram water is pumped into Lake Pontchartrain, a nearby reservoir. However, when Katrina hit and electrical power to the city was cut, the system failed. The transport of drinking water is one of the technological marvels that people do not think about until they have to go without. At the heart of the system that automates water pumping is an electronic control circuit. Electronic control circuits are used in a wide variety of applications, from controlling pump motors to making automobiles more safe and efficient. Apart from this, logic circuits are used in temperature control units, security systems, and arithmetic circuits for a variety of microprocessors built into everything from computers to microwave ovens.

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