Vocabolario IELTS comune - engineering

If a machine or part of the body malfunctions, it fails to work properly. Malfunction can also be a noun.

Malfunction as a noun

Definition: A structure built to support the lateral pressure of an arch or span

Example sentences:

• Various foundation types have been adopted to support the bridge piers and abutments.

Definition: A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer:

Example sentences:

• This first step is here reduced to a simple algorithm suitable for computer use.

Definition: The technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose

Example sentences:

• There would also be more discussions on matters such as better emergency training and equipment, including breathing apparatus for rail staff and the strengthening of drivers' cabs.

Definition: move through a space, circuit or system, returning to the starting point

Example sentences:

• Women who tested positive for circulating tumor DNA were 12 times more at risk of cancer recurrence than those who tested negative.
• No director for the new film has been announced, although rumors have been circulating that James would like to direct the movie himself.

Definition: (Of a structure) fall down or in; give way

Example sentences:

• The structure suddenly collapsed, sending lecturer and papers sprawling.

The verb combust basically has the same meaning of the verb “burn”, and the noun ‘combustion’ basically means “burning”. We use it a lot when we talk about the burning process in car engines and power plants.

• Since fuels require oxygen to combust, reduced oxygen content in the vapor space lowers the risk of unwanted combustion.

• Natural gas is frequently combusted in gas turbines as well as boilers.

• Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide are all indicators of the efficiency of the combustion process.

Definition: Be consumed or destroyed by fire

Example sentences:

• When fossil fuels are combusted, oxides are emitted into the atmosphere

“Combustible” can be an adjective or a noun. Used as an adjective, it describes something that can be burned easily. For example:

• The fuel is highly combustible.

Used as a noun, it refers to something that can be burned easily. For example

• Combustibles such as coal and gasoline are easy to burn.

The verb combust basically has the same meaning of the verb “burn”, and the noun ‘combustion’ basically means “burning”. We use it a lot when we talk about the burning process in car engines and power plants.

• Since fuels require oxygen to combust, reduced oxygen content in the vapor space lowers the risk of unwanted combustion.

• Natural gas is frequently combusted in gas turbines as well as boilers.

• Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide are all indicators of the efficiency of the combustion process.

Definition: Allow (a liquid, gas, or other substance) to flow out from where it has been confined

Example sentences:

• The station was allowed to discharge sewage into the river during an emergency and was supposed to have alarms fitted to act as a warning when there had been a pump failure, but none of them worked.

As an intransitive verb,  the verb "dissipate" means to slowly disappear and become a small amount.  Here is an example sentence:

• The heat gradually dissipates into the atmosphere.

As a transitive verb,  the verb "dissipate" means to cause something to slowly disappear and become a small amount.  Here is an example sentence:

• Engineers design the cable support systems of the suspension bridge in such a way that most of the weight of the bridge is supported by the two towers, which in turn dissipate the compression forces from the cables directly into the ground.

The noun "dissipation" is the act of dissipating. The verb "dissipate" means to slowly disappear and become a small amount or to cause something to slowly disappear and become a small amount. 

Here are example sentences using dissipation:

• With the dissipation of the clouds, you could enjoy the sunny afternoon.
• Insulation helps prevent the dissipation of heat from houses in the winter.
• Charging batteries faster than a certain rate has issues with the dissipation of heat and ultimately degrades batteries' ability to retain a charge.​

Definition: Construct or manufacture (an industrial product), especially from prepared components; to make up; lie

Example sentences:

• Only master craftsmen could design and fabricate such a product.
• It is upsetting that he would fabricate a story about having survived that horrible tragedy.

Definition: Make small adjustments to (something) in order to achieve the best or a desired performance:

Example sentences:

• They can fine-tune the computer programs to focus on a small region of space

Definition: Control and make use of (natural resources), especially to produce energy

Example sentences:

• Ireland should be harnessing its natural resources.

Definition: Denoting or relating to a liquid moving in a confined space under pressure

Example sentences:

• After we shot down the catapult, we saw a sheen of hydraulic fluid covering the pressure bulkhead in the back of the aircraft.

Definition: Relating to or denoting the generation of electricity using flowing wate

Example sentences:

• Electricity generated through the use of waterwheels or hydraulic turbines is known as hydroelectric powe

Definition: Relating to or denoting the action of heated water in the earth’s crust

Example sentences:

• Because hydrothermal water is rich in certain metals, like manganese, an increase in the concentration in a sample can point to a vent.

Definition: Capable of being filled with air

Example sentences:

• For 18 months they lived with mattresses on the bedroom floors, a telly, inflatable armchairs and their games consoles.

Definition: (Of equipment or techniques) using or concerned with infrared radiation:

Example sentences:

• But if that storm clears in time, the jets were going to get out with some infrared equipment and help with the search starting tomorrow

Definition: the room was heavily insulated against all outside noise

Example sentences:

• With hot water heating systems, the diameter of the piping remains constant, the slope is irrelevant, and all lines are insulated to prevent heat loss.

Definition: The action of insulating something

Example sentences:

• You can keep your home warmer through insulation.

Definition: Of, at, toward, or from the side or sides

Example sentences:

• For propagation, cut off the lateral rosettes with roots during March to April or September to October and plant in ordinary soil.

Definition: Denoting, relating to, or powered by the energy released in nuclear fission or fusion

Example sentences:

• To generate electricity, we use hydroelectric power, coal and nuclear energy.

Definition: (Of a natural resource or source of energy) not depleted when used

Example sentences:

• If you're willing to put solar panels on your roof or a hybrid car in your driveway, you may be eligible for tax incentives and rebates on renewable sources of energy and related technologies.
• There's no doubt that wind and solar are clean, efficient and renewable sources of energy.v

Definition: Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible

Example sentences:

• The cabin has plenty of storage spaces, but the door pockets would be much more useful with flexible sides instead of rigid ones.

Definition: Of or relating to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth and its crust

Example sentences:

• The Government has already identified areas that are vulnerable to earthquake based on seismic activity.

Definition: The occurrence or frequency of earthquakes in a region:

Example sentences:

• Although the rate of seismicity has declined since the April 6th peak, earthquakes are still occurring frequently, and steam and ash emissions and small explosions are likely to occur.

Definition: A solid substance that has a conductivity between that of an insulator and that of most metals, either due to the addition of an impurity or because of temperature effects.

Example sentences:

• A completely different class of materials organic semiconductors are being developed for these applications

Definition: A panel designed to absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating.

Example sentences:

• Most robots today draw that energy from electrical cords, solar panels, or batteries.

Definition: A system for the detection of objects under water by emitting sound pulses and detecting or measuring their return after being reflected

Example sentences:

• Out in the Atlantic, vast Japanese factory ships work nonstop, using modern sonar detection to spot the tuna shoals they sweep the ocean clean of fish.

Definition: Make (something) free from bacteria or other living microorganisms

Example sentences:

• This chemical is used to make other chemicals and is also widely used in the health care industry to sterilize medical devices.

Definition: Relating to or denoting flow of a fluid in which the velocity at any point fluctuates irregularly and there is continual mixing rather than a steady or laminar flow pattern

Example sentences:

• Boundary layers have to be modelled with particular attention to the possible change from turbulent to laminar flow.

Definition: A device for controlling the passage of fluid through a pipe or duct, especially an automatic device allowing movement in one direction only:

Example sentences:

• The system is regulated by a height control valve which allows fluid to move between spheres to keep the car level.

Definition: An appliance for artificial respiration; a respirator.

Example sentences:

• Six patients reported symptomatic improvement, including three who were weaned off the mechanical ventilator.

Definition: resist or confront with resistance

Example sentences:

• Though not every painting has withstood the test of time, some of the works ended up being quite significant.
• Building methods in many other developing countries can withstand gravity and wind but have limited resistance against very strong earthquakes.