IB Design Technology Topic 2.1 Resources and Reserves Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Design Technology Topic 2.1 Resources and Reserves Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Addressing Resource Depletion and Promoting Sustainability

Non-renewable resources are running out (this is not fake news btw)
So designers need to find innovative solutions to meet basic human needs
It makes sense to focus on renewable and sustainable resources to address this challenge

Note

Resource management and sustainable production carefully consider three key issues: consumption of raw materials, consumption of energy, and production of waste.

Understanding Resource Types

Renewable Resources

Definition

Renewable resources

Resource that can be replaced (or replenished) over time, or does not abate at all

Solar Energy – Captured from the sun using solar panels, providing an unlimited source of power.
Wind Energy – Generated by wind turbines converting wind into electricity.
Hydropower – Uses flowing water (rivers, dams) to produce energy.
Geothermal Energy – Harnesses heat from within the Earth for electricity and heating.
Biomass – Organic materials like wood, crop waste, and algae used for energy.
Tidal & Wave Energy – Power generated by ocean tides and waves

Common Mistake

Wood/Biomass Misconception – While biomass (wood, crops, etc.) is technically renewable, it depends on how it's managed. If trees are cut down faster than they can regrow, or if forests are destroyed without replanting, then wood is no longer a sustainable, renewable resource.
Freshwater Misconception – Water is part of the natural cycle, but over-extraction and pollution can make it a non-renewable resource in certain regions.
Biofuels Misconception – While biofuels come from renewable crops, their large-scale production can lead to deforestation and resource depletion, making them unsustainable in some cases.

Tip

Renewable resources often require careful management to ensure sustainability. For example, timber must be replanted to maintain supply.

Non-Renewable Resources

Definition

Non-renewable Resources

Resources that are extracted and used at rate greater than are replaced

Fossil Fuels – Includes coal, oil, and natural gas, formed over millions of years from decomposed organic matter.
Nuclear Fuels – Uranium and plutonium used in nuclear reactors; these elements are finite and require mining.
Metals & Minerals – Resources like gold, silver, copper, and aluminum, which take millions of years to form.
Rare Earth Elements – Crucial for electronics (e.g., lithium, neodymium) but found in limited quantities and difficult to extract.

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Addressing Resource Depletion and Promoting Sustainability

Non-renewable resources are running out (this is not fake news btw)
So designers need to find innovative solutions to meet basic human needs
It makes sense to focus on renewable and sustainable resources to address this challenge

Note

Resource management and sustainable production carefully consider three key issues: consumption of raw materials, consumption of energy, and production of waste.

Understanding Resource Types

Renewable Resources

Definition

Renewable resources

Resource that can be replaced (or replenished) over time, or does not abate at all

Solar Energy – Captured from the sun using solar panels, providing an unlimited source of power.
Wind Energy – Generated by wind turbines converting wind into electricity.
Hydropower – Uses flowing water (rivers, dams) to produce energy.
Geothermal Energy – Harnesses heat from within the Earth for electricity and heating.
Biomass – Organic materials like wood, crop waste, and algae used for energy.
Tidal & Wave Energy – Power generated by ocean tides and waves

Common Mistake

Wood/Biomass Misconception – While biomass (wood, crops, etc.) is technically renewable, it depends on how it's managed. If trees are cut down faster than they can regrow, or if forests are destroyed without replanting, then wood is no longer a sustainable, renewable resource.
Freshwater Misconception – Water is part of the natural cycle, but over-extraction and pollution can make it a non-renewable resource in certain regions.
Biofuels Misconception – While biofuels come from renewable crops, their large-scale production can lead to deforestation and resource depletion, making them unsustainable in some cases.

Tip

Renewable resources often require careful management to ensure sustainability. For example, timber must be replanted to maintain supply.

Non-Renewable Resources

Definition

Non-renewable Resources

Resources that are extracted and used at rate greater than are replaced

Fossil Fuels – Includes coal, oil, and natural gas, formed over millions of years from decomposed organic matter.
Nuclear Fuels – Uranium and plutonium used in nuclear reactors; these elements are finite and require mining.
Metals & Minerals – Resources like gold, silver, copper, and aluminum, which take millions of years to form.
Rare Earth Elements – Crucial for electronics (e.g., lithium, neodymium) but found in limited quantities and difficult to extract.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

1. Human factors and ergonomics3 subtopics

2. Resource management and sustainable production6 subtopics

3. Modelling5 subtopics

4. Final production11 subtopics

5. Innovation and design7 subtopics

6. Classic design2 subtopics

7. User-centered design (HL)5 subtopics

8. Sustainability in design (HL)4 subtopics

9. Innovation and markets (HL)5 subtopics

10. Commercial production (HL)5 subtopics

IB Design Technology 2.1 Resources and Reserves Notes

1. Human factors and ergonomics3 subtopics

2. Resource management and sustainable production6 subtopics

3. Modelling5 subtopics

4. Final production11 subtopics

5. Innovation and design7 subtopics

6. Classic design2 subtopics

7. User-centered design (HL)5 subtopics

8. Sustainability in design (HL)4 subtopics

9. Innovation and markets (HL)5 subtopics

10. Commercial production (HL)5 subtopics

Addressing Resource Depletion and Promoting Sustainability

Understanding Resource Types

Renewable Resources

Non-Renewable Resources

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Addressing Resource Depletion and Promoting Sustainability

Understanding Resource Types

Renewable Resources

Non-Renewable Resources

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account