Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology key terms

A thin layer of metal applied to another material's surface to improve properties such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance or electrical contact reliability.

A small computer on a single integrated circuit, combining a processor, memory and input/output functions to control a system according to a stored program.

Enclosing small quantities of a substance within tiny protective shells that can be incorporated into or applied to a textile.

A unit of thickness equal to one thousandth of a millimetre: $1000\,\mu\text{m}=1\,\text{mm}$.

A very small plastic particle, including a tiny fibre shed by synthetic textiles.

An integrated circuit containing a central processing unit that executes instructions and processes data, normally supported by external memory and input/output circuitry.

A switch designed to change fully between contact positions in response to a small physical movement or force.

The movement of people from one place to another to live, often to find work or improve their lives.

An iron–carbon alloy with a low carbon content; it is tough and readily shaped, cut and welded.

Mechanical fulling of wool fabric, using a machine to agitate and felt it.

The smallest amount of material that a supplier will accept an order for.

A connection between two ends cut at matching angles, normally two 45° cuts forming a 90° corner.

A fabric constructed from different types of yarn, such as cotton warp yarns and polyester weft yarns.

Creating a three-dimensional representation of a design to explore or test its shape, size or arrangement.

A material developed through scientific or technological advances to provide improved or specialised characteristics.

An approach in which separate, compatible units can be combined or rearranged to meet different needs.

An input component used to detect wetness or moisture content through a change in an electrical property.

The turning effect of a force about a pivot: force multiplied by perpendicular distance from the pivot to the force’s line of action. Measured in newton metres (N m).

A small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer.

A recess in timber into which a matching tenon fits to form a joint.

A connection in which a projecting tongue, the tenon, fits into a matching rectangular hole, the mortise.

An output device that converts electrical energy into movement, usually rotation of a shaft.

A shaped tool, usually containing a cavity, into which material is introduced to produce a particular form.

A length of timber machined to a repeated profile, used for trims, frames and decorative or functional edges.

A pivot that joins moving parts and changes position as the linkage operates.

A material with particles or structures on the nanometre scale that can have different properties from the same substance in larger-scale form.

The direction in which a fabric’s raised surface fibres lie, affecting its appearance and feel.