Applied science

Main thing

Applied science uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems and create technologies that benefit society.

Applied science differs from basic science, which seeks to expand knowledge for its own sake. Instead, applied science focuses on using that knowledge to develop solutions to real-world challenges. It transforms basic scientific discoveries into innovations that benefit people.

Applied science encompasses a wide range of fields, such as engineering, medicine, agriculture, and computer science. Researchers in these areas often have specific goals and applications in mind from the start, with their work guided by the needs and challenges faced by society. By developing new technologies, products, and solutions, applied science drives economic growth and improves quality of life. Additionally, applied science works in synergy with basic research, building upon the fundamental knowledge base to create practical innovations.

Key features of applied science:

• Focuses on solving practical, real-world problems

• Uses existing scientific knowledge and principles

• Empirical and results-oriented

• Develops new technologies, products, and solutions

Terms

• Science – the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

• Basic science – research conducted solely to expand the existing knowledge base, without a specific practical goal. It includes branches such as natural sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology) and formal sciences (e.g., mathematics, logic). Example: A physicist studying the fundamental properties of subatomic particles.

• Technology – the application of scientific knowledge to solve problems and create useful products. Example: Smartphones that rely on advances in computing, materials science, and telecommunications.

• Engineering – a key applied science field that uses scientific principles to design and develop new technologies. Example: Aerospace engineers applying physics to design more fuel-efficient aircraft.

• Empirical – based on observation and experimentation rather than theory alone. Example: An applied scientist testing how different materials perform under stress to determine their suitability for a new bridge.

An analogy

Applied science is like cooking with a recipe, while basic science is like experimenting to discover new flavor combinations.

Just as a chef follows an established recipe to reliably prepare a known dish, an applied scientist uses existing scientific knowledge to solve a defined real-world problem. The recipe provides step-by-step instructions to achieve the desired outcome, just as scientific principles guide the applied researcher to an effective solution.

A main misconception

Many people believe applied science is more valuable than basic research because it produces practical results.

However, applied science often depends on the discoveries of basic science. Without the fundamental knowledge base that basic research provides, applied scientists would have a much smaller toolbox to work with in developing new technologies. Basic and applied science have a symbiotic relationship.

Example: The development of new cancer drugs (applied science) relies on a foundation of basic research into the molecular biology of how cancer cells function.

The history

1. Ancient times – early civilizations apply scientific principles to develop tools, agriculture, and architecture. Example: Egyptians use levers and geometry to build pyramids circa 2500 BCE.

2. Medieval Islamic world – scholars make advances in applied fields like medicine, optics, and engineering. Example: Ibn al-Haytham applies optical theory to create camera obscura in 11th century.

3. Scientific Revolution (1500s-1700s) – emergence of the scientific method spurs both basic and applied research. Example: Galileo's astronomical observations enable improvements to telescopes and navigation.

4. Industrial Revolution (1700s-1800s) – applied science drives rapid technological progress, especially in manufacturing, transportation, and energy. Example: James Watt's steam engine (1776) powers factories, ships, and railroads.

5. 20th century-present – continued growth of applied fields like aeronautics, computing, medicine, and telecommunications. Example: Discovery of antibiotics revolutionizes treatment of bacterial infections.

"Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it." - Albert Einstein (renowned for contributions to both basic science, like relativity, and applied science, like the photoelectric effect used in solar panels)

Three cases how to use it right now

1. A high school student uses principles of physics and engineering to design and build a more energy-efficient solar-powered car for a science competition. They apply their knowledge of photovoltaics, aerodynamics, and lightweight materials to optimize the car's performance.

2. A public health researcher conducts a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new vaccine in preventing the spread of a contagious disease. They apply statistical methods to analyze data from a large sample of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to determine the vaccine's efficacy and safety.

3. A software engineer at a financial technology startup applies concepts from cryptography and distributed computing to develop a secure, decentralized platform for mobile payments. They use their knowledge of blockchain algorithms and encryption protocols to ensure the system is reliable and resistant to hacking attempts.

Interesting facts

• The word "scientist" was first coined in 1833 by William Whewell, a philosopher and historian of science, to describe those who seek knowledge through the scientific method.

• The top 5 countries that spend the most on applied research and development (R&D) as a percentage of GDP are Israel (4.9%), South Korea (4.5%), Sweden (3.3%), Japan (3.2%), and Austria (3.1%).

• The Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on Einstein's theory of relativity to accurately calculate positions on Earth. GPS satellites experience time dilation due to their high speed and reduced gravity compared to clocks on the ground, so relativistic effects must be accounted for to avoid errors accumulating in location data.

• Applied science played a crucial role in the Green Revolution of the mid-20th century, which dramatically increased agricultural productivity worldwide through innovations like high-yield crop varieties, synthetic fertilizers, and mechanized farming equipment. These developments helped reduce famine and support rapid population growth, though they also had environmental consequences.

• The COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna in 2020 were the first successful applications of mRNA vaccine technology, which instructs cells to produce antigens that trigger an immune response. This breakthrough could lead to faster development of vaccines for other diseases in the future.