代写ELEC222 and ELEC273 Lesson 5: Sustainable Development and Ethics代做迭代

ELEC222 and ELEC273

Lesson 5: Sustainable Development and Ethics

Session aim

In this session, we will:

• Discuss ideas for the content of your Sustainable Development and Ethics assignment

• Analyse examples of each section for content, organisation and useful language

• Plan paragraphs for each section

The assignment structure

The structure and guidance for the assignment can be found in the Sustainable Development and Ethics – Assignment PDF in the EE-Year 2 Canvas.

1. Look at the guidance and discuss the questions below.

• What are the sections of the SDE assignment? How much is each worth?

• How many pages is this assignment in total? (Yes, including references.)

• What does it say about writing in the ‘third person’ on page 3?

• Which page has the Chief Executive’s concerns to consider?

Familiarisation with the Regulations

You will need to consider the sustainable development and ethical implications of your project in detail with your group. For this lesson we will brainstorm some ideas.

1. Consider your project and the regulations that may apply to it.

• How it's made, what it's made of, how it's used, or how it's thrown away.

• Look at the websites below (from the assignment instructions) and try to find anything that is relevant to your project.

• If they don’t apply, consider other possible areas of regulations that might.

UK laws:

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rohs-compliance-and-guidance

• https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-product-safety-and-standards

• https://www.gov.uk/electricalwaste-producer-supplier-responsibilities

• http://www.hse.gov.uk/waste/waste-electrical.htm

Sustainable development goals (UN and UoL, from the lecture slides):

• Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals - United Nations Sustainable Development

• Sustainability - The University of Liverpool

Section 1 Regulatory considerations

1. Read the guidance from the Assignment Instructions document again. What does Section 1 need to include?

Above: Screenshot of the Section 1 guidance from the Assignment Instructions document.

2. Read the example Section 1 text below and answer the following questions.

a) Which regulations are relevant to the project, and what do they cover?

b) What project-specific details do the writers include? Consider materials, components, disposal, documentation, and compliance.

c) How is the section structured? What does each paragraph focus on?

d) Identify useful language related to: regulations and compliance, hazards and risks, effective academic sentence structures.

Example Section 1 text

Regulatory considerations

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive regulates the disposal and recycling of electronic products [1]. The robotic arm includes electronic components, such as the Arduino microcontroller, wiring, and camera, which must be recycled through certified e-waste facilities to prevent landfill waste. WEEE compliance requires a clear disposal plan for these components, ensuring they do not contribute to environmental harm [1].

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive limits the use of toxic materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium in electronic products [2]. Since the robotic arm’s circuit components were sourced from CE-marked suppliers, they are expected to comply with RoHS standards [2]. The 3D-printed plastic structure is not covered under RoHS or WEEE regulations, as it is not an electrical component. However, certain plastic additives or coatings could fall under RoHS restrictions if they contain hazardous substances. While common filaments such as PLA, ABS, and PETG are generally RoHS-compliant, checking supplier documentation for material composition would be good practice.

RoHS compliance requires supplier documentation, such as a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), verifying that components meet regulatory requirements [2]. Manufacturers may also obtain a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from suppliers to confirm that parts are free from restricted substances [2]. WEEE compliance necessitates a clear end-of-life disposal plan for electronic components to ensure proper recycling and waste reduction [1].

3. Consider your own project. Make notes about the following:

1. Which regulations could apply to your project?

• Look at the websites listed in the assignment brief. Which laws apply to your project?

• Does it involve restricted materials, product safety, or disposal regulations? (RoHS, WEEE)

• Does it involve data protection, cybersecurity, or privacy concerns? (GDPR may apply to software-based projects)

2. Which parts of your project are affected by regulations?

Physical products:

• Are any materials restricted under RoHS?

• How will end-of-life disposal and recycling be managed (WEEE)?

• Are there safety concerns during manufacturing or use?

Software products:

• Does your project store or process personal data?

• Would it need to comply with laws on data security or ethical AI use?

3. How would you ensure compliance?

• What evidence or documentation would be needed (e.g., supplier certifications, product testing)?

• Would your project need design modifications to meet legal requirements?

4. What useful language from the model text could you adapt?

Section 2 Implications of large-scale manufacture

For this section, you will need to imagine that your project is going to be massproduced or used by many people.

1. Read the guidance for Section 2 in the Assignment Instructions and consider the following.

a) What are the five areas it asks you to cover in your answer?

b) Which are most relevant to your project if the company started to massproduce it on a larger scale?

c) For software projects: What does the guidance say about software? Consider if your software was sold to lots of customers and used around the world.

Above: Screenshot of the Section 2 guidance from the Assignment Instructions document.

2. Read the example Section 2 below and answer the following questions.

a) Which of the five assessment points are covered, and how?

b) How is the section organised?

c) What useful language is included? (Look for words related to sustainability, ethics, regulations, and risks.)

Example Section 2 text

The robotic arm is not inherently a sustainability product, but its manufacturing process can be optimised for environmental impact. A key concern is 3D printing waste, as excess plastic is often trimmed during production. The sustainability of the 3D-printed parts depends on filament choice. PLA is biodegradable but hard to recycle, while ABS and PETG are recyclable under certain conditions. However, if mass-produced, the arm may use injection moulding or other techniques, which could change material selection and sustainability impact. Choosing a durable and recyclable material would improve the product's long-term footprint. Despite these challenges, 3D printing improves resource efficiency by using precise material amounts and reducing waste. On-demand production also limits excess inventory and may reduce energy and transport needs.

The robotic arm provides a broader sustainability benefit by reducing human exposure to hazardous waste. By enabling safe remote operation, it minimises health and environmental risks, making it valuable for waste management and industrial applications.

Given the product’s intended use for hazardous waste removal, and the potential risks to human safety and the environment, the company should provide safety certification or training to prevent misuse and accidents. Sales restrictions may be needed to ensure the product is sold only to industries where hazardous material removal is required.

As a remotely controlled device, the arm must be protected from unauthorised access. While not internet-connected, safeguards should prevent signal interference, ensuring safe handling of hazardous materials.

To improve sustainability and security, there are three measures the company needs to consider. First, select durable, recyclable materials for large-scale production. Second, implement a take-back scheme under the WEEE Directive to ensure responsible electronics disposal. This is a legal requirement. Third, ensure security safeguards to prevent unauthorised access to the arm control system.

3. Consider your own project. Make notes about the following:

Sustainability in manufacturing:

• Hardware projects: What materials or processes will be used in large-scale production?

• Software projects: How much energy does your software require to run? Does it create unnecessary processing load?

• Could your project be made using more sustainable materials or methods?

• Would mass production change how sustainable it is?

Wider sustainability impact (health, safety, security):

• Could your project help protect people or the environment?

• Does it reduce waste, pollution, or energy use?

• Are there any health or safety risks that need to be considered?

Ethical sales & responsible use:

• Who should be allowed to buy and use your project?

• Are there risks if it is sold to the wrong users or industries?

• Should customers need training or certification before using it?

Misuse & security risks:

• Could your project be misused, hacked, or cause harm?

• Does it need built-in security measures?

• Are there risks if people use it incorrectly?

Design improvements for sustainability & security:

• Could your project be made more sustainable (e.g., reusable materials, recycling options)?

• Would it need a take-back or disposal scheme at end-of-life?

• What safety or security improvements would be needed?

Section 3 Implications of follow-on products/markets

For this section, you will need to imagine that your project can be expanded, adapted or used for other projects.

1. Read the guidance for Section 3 in the Assignment Instructions and consider the following.

a) What is your role in the company and what are the two purposes you have for writing this section of the report?

b) What do you need to consider in terms of expanding the project?

c) What does the guidance say about the ‘green market’?

d) What is the final point to consider about SDE issues?

Above: Screenshots of the Section 3 guidance from the Assignment Instructions document (there is a page break in the guidance document).

2. Read the example Section 2 below and answer the following questions.

a) Identify where the text discusses new products or markets, sustainability implications, ethical concerns, and growth-related risks.

b) How is the section structured? What does each paragraph focus on?

c) What useful language is included? Consider how new opportunities, risks, and improvements are introduced and justified

Expanding the capabilities of the Arduino Bot presents opportunities for new products and applications. The robotic arm could be adapted for delicate precision tasks in medical robotics, such as assisting in minimally invasive procedures. Alternatively, it could be integrated into automated recycling facilities, using cameras and sensors to sort waste efficiently. These developments would require enhancements such as higher-resolution imaging, more advanced motion control, and improved durability, opening the project to new industries.

From a sustainability perspective, these adaptations introduce both benefits and challenges. If used in automated recycling, the arm could contribute to waste reduction by improving sorting accuracy. However, higher energy demands from advanced motors and sensors could increase its environmental footprint. Material selection would also become more critical—while 3D printing was suitable for prototyping, a durable and recyclable material like aluminium or reinforced bioplastics would be more appropriate for long-term use.

Ethical concerns must also be addressed as the technology evolves. If the arm becomes wireless or integrates with external networks, the risk of hacking increases, potentially leading to unauthorized use or system failures in critical environments. Implementing secure encryption protocols, restricted user access, and fail-safe mechanisms would be essential. Additionally, ensuring that only trained operators use the robotic arm—through licensing or mandatory safety certification—could mitigate risks in sensitive applications.

While expansion offers commercial and industrial advantages, it also raises sustainability and security concerns. Increased production could lead to higher electricity consumption and electronic waste, particularly if follow-on products rely on non-recyclable components or complex electronic systems. To address this, improvements such as modular design for easier repairs, energy-efficient motors, and adherence to WEEE disposal requirements should be integrated into future developments.

3. Consider your own project. Make notes about the following:

Follow-on products and market opportunities

• How could your project be adapted, upgraded, or expanded into a new product?

• Could it be used in a different industry or application?

Sustainability considerations

• If the project expands, would sustainability challenges change?

• Would new materials, energy use, or waste management become important factors?

Ethical concerns in new products or markets

• What ethical issues could arise if the product is developed further?

• Would additional safety, security, or accessibility measures be needed?

Challenges of growth and profitability

• Could expanding the project introduce new sustainability or ethical risks?

• Would scaling up require different regulations, security measures, or responsible business practices?