Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology key terms

The obtaining of natural resources used to make materials or products, such as drilling for crude oil.

A battery whose chemical energy store can be restored by supplying electrical energy during charging, allowing repeated use.

Repeated back-and-forth movement along a straight path.

The extent to which a product’s materials can be recovered and processed into usable materials for new products.

Reprocessing waste material so that it can be made into new materials or products.

Paper manufactured using recovered paper fibres, sometimes mixed with new, unused pulp.

Processing waste materials so that they can be used to make new materials or products.

Using less material or energy and producing less waste.

Giving material a new shape after changing its physical state, for example by melting metal and casting it.

Choosing not to buy an unnecessary product or use a material or product that harms people or the environment.

A manufactured fibre made by chemically processing natural cellulose into a new fibre form, such as viscose.

A printed target used to check that images printed in different colours line up accurately.

Additional material or support, or a change in structure, used to improve resistance to loading or damage.

An electrically operated switch in which current through a coil creates a magnetic field that moves switch contacts.

A shaped block whose raised surface carries colour and stamps a design onto fabric.

The application of colours and textures to a digital drawing or model to communicate its proposed appearance.

An energy source replenished naturally, such as sunlight, wind or biomass that is regrown.

Fixing a faulty or damaged product so that it can continue to be used.

The ability to repeat a manufacturing task with consistent results.

Opposition to electric current, measured in ohms (Ω).

A dyeing method in which selected areas are protected from dye, for example by tight ties or wax, to create a pattern.

Obtaining materials from suppliers whose environmental practices and treatment of workers meet responsible standards.

Designing and producing textiles with regard for workers’ welfare, environmental effects and the responsible use of resources.

Questioning whether a product is needed and whether a different design approach could better meet people’s needs with less environmental impact.

Using a product or material again, for the same or a different purpose, without processing it into a new material.

Using a product again without processing it back into raw material, such as passing a wearable garment to another person.

A fibre containing an antibacterial agent that inhibits bacterial growth; it also has fire-retardant properties.